Listen to This Episode with Mike Finelli Here:
What does it take to transform a legacy chemical business into a cutting-edge innovation engine? Mike Finelli, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Syensqo (formerly Solvay), shares his journey from mailroom to C-suite and outlines how the company is leveraging sustainability, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence to drive growth and solve some of the world’s toughest challenges. With a 160-year heritage and a fresh start after splitting from Solvay, Syensqo’s focus spans advanced materials for aerospace, automotive, healthcare, electronics, water filtration, and more.
Host Victoria Meyer and Mike discuss building a culture where AI becomes a daily tool for everyone, the company’s research priorities, and the launch of customer innovation centers designed to foster collaborative, customer-centric solutions. They also address leading through change—both technological and organizational—offering candid insights on managing culture shifts, developing future leaders, and the role of purpose-driven innovation in attracting and retaining talent in the chemical industry.
In this week’s episode, Victoria and Mike talk about:
- From Mailroom to C-Suite: Mike Finelli’s journey highlights the power of a growth mindset in chemicals.
- How Syensqo balances tradition with a culture of innovation after its split from Solvay.
- Syensqo puts sustainability at the core of R&D, tackling global challenges with biotech and renewables.
- Building an AI-driven organization where generative tools accelerate discovery and everyday productivity.
- Driving innovation by partnering closely with customers in globally connected labs for faster solutions.
Killer Quote: “Our job is to turn molecules into money… and we do that by solving our customers’ biggest challenges. You can’t do that if you’re not interacting with the customer.“ —Mike Finelli
Watch Victoria and Mike Discuss Syensqo and More Here:
Inside Syensqo’s Innovation Engine: AI, Customer Impact & Growth with CTIO Mike Finelli
This week on The Chemical Show, Victoria Meyer sits down with Mike Finelli, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Syensqo, for a real look at leading innovation in the chemical industry. The conversation traces Mike Finelli’s journey from “mailboy” to the C-suite, delving into his drive for learning and growth—a central thread that has shaped his approach to both career and leadership.
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The episode kicks off with Mike Finelli’s unconventional start: accepting a role in the mailroom with the condition that the company fund his MBA. He shares how curiosity, initiative, and a habit of absorbing industry news helped him quickly climb the ranks. His career with Syensqo has spanned roles across customer service, sales, product management, and leadership on a global scale.
Turning to Syensqo itself, Mike Finelli offers a snapshot of a nearly two-year-old business rooted in a 160-year heritage. Born from the historic Solvay split, Syensqo now employs 13,000 people across 60 manufacturing sites with a focus on innovative platforms like battery materials, green hydrogen, and biotechnology. If something flies or drives, there’s a good chance Syensqo is involved—whether it’s aircraft composites, automotive parts, healthcare membranes, or even the biodegradable surfactants in your morning shampoo.
A major part of the discussion centers around innovation. For Syensqo, it’s all about sustainability. Mike Finelli explains that 85% of their R&D portfolio aligns with sustainability goals, from reducing waste to cutting carbon emissions and advancing renewable materials. The company is also investing heavily in biotechnology—using microorganisms to perform chemistry traditionally carried out in industrial plants.
The conversation takes a practical look at artificial intelligence in the chemical industry. Mike Finelli emphasizes that AI isn’t about replacing people, but about providing “superpowers” to scientists and sales teams. With internal tools like SciGPT and SciGrow, employees can unlock new insights and opportunities, making the company’s approach to AI “for everyone, everywhere, every day.” Mike Finelli also shares Syensqo’s strong partnership with Microsoft to drive further innovation with AI research platforms.
Lest we think innovation is all about technology, Mike Finelli grounds the conversation in customer-focused problem solving. Syensqo’s Customer Innovation Centers, outfitted with both physical and digital connectivity, allow customers to work side-by-side with technical teams anywhere in the world.
The episode wraps up with advice for leaders aiming to embed AI into their companies, as well as personal wisdom for rising professionals: cultivate a growth mindset, stay grounded, and understand that most obstacles are solved from the inside out. For anyone navigating the fast-evolving worlds of chemicals and advanced materials, this episode offers clear insights and actionable lessons.
Listen to this episode of The Chemical Show for a behind-the-scenes take on transformation, leadership, and what it really takes to keep innovation moving forward in the chemical industry.
About Mike Finelli:
Mike Finelli is an experienced professional with over 30 years in the chemical industry, including more than 15 years in executive leadership roles.
As the Chief Technology & Innovation Officer (CTIO) and Chief North America Officer at Syensqo, he leads a team of 2,000 professionals – Syensqo explorers and change makers including those in the Group’s key strategic platforms: Battery materials, Green Hydrogen, and Renewable Materials & Biotechnology.
Mike’s CTIO responsibilities encompass allocating resources according to the group strategy to drive innovation while guiding commercial activities, operations, capital planning, partnerships, and alliances for the four business incubators.
On top of these roles, he proudly serves as a board member for the American Chemistry Council, the FOSSI Advisory Board, and SynOrb (Syensqo and Orbia joint venture for Battery material PVDF in NA).
In his previous roles, Mike held the position of President at Solvay Growth Initiatives and, before that, served as President of Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business.
Mike is based in Alpharetta, Georgia, United States, a crucial hub for Syensqo in North America that contributes to the region’s significance as a key commercial, research, and manufacturing center for the Group.