Nayak has been associated with the company for over 25 years and has held leadership positions across multiple business units and regions.

In his new role, he will oversee the next phase of expansion and growth of the material sciences company. He will uptake this additional responsibility along with his current role as commercial director – Polyurethanes for India and the sub-continent.

He has played a key role in establishing Dow India’s business partnerships across major industries including packaging, telecom, automotive, and consumer markets through local business models and innovative product solutions.

Nayak joined Dow in 1995 in Mumbai as business manager for the Polyethylene business and has had extensive experience in growing economies in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He was instrumental in the development and launch of the company’s CSR programme – the Polyurethanes Jaipur foot project – which has received international acclaim.

He holds a gold medal in bachelor’s degree in polymers technology from Institute of Chemical Technology (formerly UDCT), Mumbai University, and has also done his master’s degree in marketing management from the same university.