On the Move in Biofuels: Codexis, Benz Technology

In California, Codexis appointed John J. Nicols as President and CEO. He served most recently as Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Catalysts, at Albemarle, a specialty chemicals company with a current market capitalization in excess of $5 billion.

“John Nicols brings to Codexis a 20-year track record of success in commercializing new products in the chemicals industry, managing growth for multiple business units, and developing and executing corporate strategy,” said Tom Baruch, Chairman of the Board for Codexis, Inc. “John has the perfect mix of leadership and experience to bring Codexis CodeXyme cellulase enzymes and CodeXol detergent alcohol to market.”

“We are all grateful to Peter Strumph for actively leading Codexis during the last several months. His understanding of the company and his engagement with our shareholders and employees kept us on course,” Mr. Baruch stated. “With John’s appointment, the Board and John will now focus on the successful completion of our pending CFO search.”

In Ohio, Benz Technology International, a consulting firm specializing in fluid agitation, recently upgraded its lab equipment for mixing studies of biomass slurries. New mixing equipment has more than triple the torque capacity of the previous equipment, and has electronic speed and torque sensing.