SANJAY WAHAL PhD, MBA

***** ********* ***** **, *********, NC 28273 920-***-**** adc3wd@r.postjobfree.com ● www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaywahal/

CAREER PROFILE

MIT-trained growth-oriented executive, innovator and technologist with business acumen, general management skills and expertise in materials, nonwovens, polymers, specialty chemicals, healthcare, personal care, consumer and industrial products industries and extensive progressive experience in major global organizations. Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills. A well-networked contributor who consistently expedites cycle time from concept through development, market launch and commercialization in team environment. Delivered over $100 million of impact to date from successful launch of novel products, materials and technology platforms and new markets / applications uncovered. Well-versed in quality, statistical and financial tools. Demonstrated achievements in:

R&D / Technology / New Product Development

Technology Acquisition, Transfer & Commercialization

Intellectual Property Development

Manufacturing Processes / Operations

Open Innovation

R&D / Technology / Business Strategy

New Business / Market Development

Global Cross-functional Team Leadership

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

DIVERSEY Inc. (A Bain Capital Company), Fort Mill, South Carolina 2019 - 2020

Director, Global R&D and Innovation

Responsible for leading R&D, Innovation, New Technology Development, Commercialization for Infection Prevention globally; leveraging Innovative Disinfectant Chemistries, Nonwovens and Materials to offer differentiated solutions including antimicrobial wipes ensuring compatibility of surfaces being disinfected; leading a global team of Materials Science, Chemistry, Engineering and Microbiology professionals.

Built a steady pipeline of novel Infection Prevention products in the global innovation portfolio – in various stages of commercialization; partnered with Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering.

Partnered with Environmental Services and Regulatory, led techno-commercial assessment for viability of Electrostatic Sprayer based Disinfection Solutions as rapid response by Diversey to help efficiently mitigate coronavirus pandemic. Sales expected to be $5 million/yr.

Led development of Rapid ATP Swab Cleaning Verification System for infection prevention.

Led due diligence on UVC based OR / Patient Room Disinfection Technology which reduced onset of infection by 10%.

Led development and commercialization of high compatibility AHP & Quat-alcohol wipes (EPA registered) for high-touch surfaces with projected first year sales of $2 million; delivered ~ $500,000/year in cost savings by identifying alternate nonwoven substrates for wipes.

LITTLE RAPIDS CORPORATION, Green Bay, Wisconsin 2016 - 2019

Director, Global - Materials R&D and Innovation

Responsible for identifying globally new materials, technologies, product opportunities, and converting processes to support NPD and Growth; innovating and maintaining product competitiveness; identifying external partners and business development opportunities overseas including Mideast / Asia region; managing global team based in US along with partners in China and India; and leading Trade Show exhibits.

Led development and commercialization of disposable premium nonwoven bedding and protective apparels for infection prevention viz. Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and fire-retardant nonwoven blankets for EMS which resulted in revenue of $5 million/year.

Developed (i) electrospun nano-collagen anti-wrinkle patch (ii) novel Beauty Coil using a mixture of absorbent fibers with three times the absorbency per unit length resulting in significantly reduced shipping cost / service time with a realized annual savings of over $100,000/yr.

Led a team of four to research and analyze the development value proposition - resulting in a White Paper to promote use of nonwoven disposables replacing linens in acute care and home-heath segments. Potential opportunity worth ~ $5 million/yr.

Identified external partners based in Dubai and India for business development in EMEA / India regions and to set-up Joint Ventures; led joint development of novel materials with vendors in Europe and Asia to support NPD and realize cost savings.

NASi (Nachurs Alpine Solutions Industrial), Marion, Ohio 2014 - 2016

Director, Product Development (Technical Director)

Responsible for managing new product development process internally and externally including in-field implementation of products and process as well as overall technical sales support and supervising staff; working with outside resources such as labs, universities, advanced materials and chemistry solution providers, industry associations to develop and commercialize new products and applications.

Successfully collaborated with and led a team of eight of external advanced materials Contract R&D Outfit to help develop novel technologies and applications for launching new products. Filed three patent applications.

Led development and commercialization of key products such as K-BLOK, A-SHIELD as drilling / fracking fluid additive(s) for application in oil and gas industry to realize revenue of $4 million.

Successfully identified the novel application of existing deicer products/eutectic salt solutions as phase change materials (encapsulated) in transporting biologicals, pharmaceuticals and perishables; identified and collaborated with a company in India as an alternate supplier of white phosphoric acid to successfully compete in the Technical & Food Grade Phosphates market.

Led development of next generation deicing fluid which meets the carbon brake oxidation loss limit, being mandated by SAE, and is environmentally-friendly which helped defend a $25 million a year of current business.

Sanjay Wahal, PhD, MBA Page Two

REYNOLDS CONSUMER PRODUCTS, Appleton, Wisconsin 04/2013 - 10/2014

Director, Materials Innovation and New Products

Responsible for identifying and executing materials, innovation, cost savings, sustainability and IP opportunities; creating material science roadmap to fill new product pipeline; identifying new materials, products and converting processes to support NPD and maintain competitiveness and supervising engineers. Reported to President (Presto Products) and VP, Innovation.

Identified and implemented $500,000 annually in polymer resin materials savings opportunities for extruded blown films.

Led engagements with a premier Technology consulting firm to shortlist viable novel materials/product concepts (i) for more uniform and efficient defrosting of meat and (ii) to extend freshness of produce in plastic food storage bags. Potential revenue of $20 million/year.

Working with a vendor, led development of Vistamaxx/TPE/LLDPE copolymer resin for high impact strength elastomeric and heat-sealable films for Draw Tape of waste bags, which helped realize revenue of $5 million per year.

Led development of biodegradable natural flexible coated-paper wrap to replace plastic wrap. Launch led to sales of $2 million/yr. Developed and marketed novel absorbent/nonwoven pet pads and laminated cutting board for a major retailer.

Optimized pigment / filler / nucleating agent for thermoformed polystyrene / EPS foam products such as trays, bowls, cups and hot / cold beverage paper cups which led to a cost-savings of $800,000 per year.

CELANESE CORPORATION, Irving, Texas / Appleton, Wisconsin 2011 - 2013

Technology Innovation Leader (Office of Strategic Growth)

Responsible for driving innovation understanding technological impact and economics of new products and processes, aligning business units / organizations for innovation effectiveness, bringing in Open Innovation and foster a culture of adapting to new concepts, using Stage-Gate Process, and supervising a global team of professionals. Partnered with GMs, Strategic Marketing Leaders, Technical Centers and Operations to move novel ideas / concepts / technology across diverse global entities. Reported to CTO/CMO.

Discovered novel applications of air forming jet process technology to produce unique lofted PP meltblown nonwovens with excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties for application in auto, appliances, transportation industry and economical acquisition distribution layer (ADL) for personal hygiene products, which realized Licensing Revenue of $2 million per year for Cellulose Acetate Business. Filed four patent applications.

Identified a sulfite pulp mill for potential conversion to dissolving grade pulp for the supply-constrained acetate market. Conducted techno-commercial feasibility assessment for potential Joint Development with the Owner eventually leading to Acquisition.

Helped develop sinterized carbon block filter containing resin, which improved water filtration efficiency by 15%; led a team to develop functionalized EVA / LDPE bicomponent fibers/nonwoven incorporated with additive to improve absorbency of SAP polymers in diapers.

Led a team of four to utilize the control release property of ethylene vinyl acetate to develop prototypes of (i) longer lasting deodorant with timed slow scent release and (ii) active food packaging multilayer co-extruded film with improved O2 barrier for enhanced shelf life.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC LLC (KOCH INDUSTRIES), Neenah, Wisconsin 2005 - 2011

Research Fellow (Innovation Institute)

Responsible for developing strategy and vision to position projects from inception through completion and evaluating novel technologies for commercial business. Worked closely with wipe business and led cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize nonwoven wiper products.

Led a team to develop and commercialize technical wiper (incorporating proprietary lyocell microfiber platform technology in tissue to compete against Kimberly-Clark) product line for the high-end lenses, medical and optical instruments market; this led to generation of $5 million of revenue.

Invented and commercialized next generation disinfecting nonwoven wipes for healthcare industry incorporating novel Quat-compatible antimicrobial technology; delivered shorter bacteria kill-time and helped reduce HAIs. Realized NIAT of $15 million.

Developed flushable wipes using water-dispersible nanostarch based binder which passed INDA guidelines and regulatory compliance; scouted for and implemented novel disinfection materials / technology for applications across towel and wipe categories.

Developed and managed Intellectual Property strategy for the Nonwoven and Wiper Category and helped with licensing of a key process technology patent which resulted in $1 million per year of revenue. Inventor/Co-inventor of nine patents for work cited above.

RTI INTERNATIONAL, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 2004 - 2005

Senior Business and Technology Development Manager (Consulting Position)

Responsible for identifying, screening and evaluating new opportunities to attract commercial R&D revenues, assist in negotiating financial, contractual and intellectual property (IP) issues with clients in a close working relationship with the Office of Corporate Ventures and Entrepreneurship; also working with technical team and external partners to identify development opportunities in Clean Energy.

Conducted due diligence on a venture capital firm’s proposal to develop a cheaper syngas production technology in conjunction with RTI’s gas clean-up technology for distressed natural gas turbine plants; led a technical team to develop a prototype of fuel cell utilizing hydrogen generated by hydrolysis of Mg/Fe alloy used in Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MRE) Heaters - to market a novel concept to US Army.

Marketed RTI’s diesel/naphtha desulfurization and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis sorbents to petrochemical industry; created strategic and business development plan to achieve 100% revenue growth within five years.

Sanjay Wahal, PhD, MBA Page Three

BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES (GEORGIA-PACIFIC LLC), Memphis, Tennessee 1999 - 2004

Manager, Product and Market Development (Absorbent Products / Nonwovens Division)

Responsible for leading a start-up team to develop / commercialize nonwoven absorbent products for the personal / health care, wipes, filtration and household cleaning industries – resulting $12 million per year in revenue; interacted with customers to gain insight for product / market development.

Interacted with customers, led a global cross-functional team to develop and commercialize cellulosic airlaid nonwovens generating sales of $10 million per year, co-developed and commercialized DuoCore, a proprietary absorbent diaper core.

Co-invented proprietary product and process technologies to launch key products, awarded four patents. Assisted with the identification and acquisition of Stac-Pac - a nonwoven festooning and packaging technology. Integration of the technology resulted in savings of $5 million per year in Operating Cost.

Identified and co-implemented a more efficient, FDA approved (21CFR 176.170,180) latex (EVA) emulsion binder for use in adult incontinence products. Resulted in a savings of $1 million/yr; developed fluoropolymer coated nonwoven fabrics to provide hydrophobic barrier for key application; employed statistical techniques (DOE) to determine key performance attributes for product development.

CABOT CORPORATION, Pampa, Texas 1996 - 1999

Senior Engineering Associate - Project Leader (Process Research, Development & Manufacturing)

Responsible for managing process development, scale-up, and optimization for commercializing chemically-modified pigment nanodispersions for inkjet, paint and foam global markets; using Stage-gate Process; and supervising six operators and engineers.

Improved production yield of a manufacturing process for carbon nanoparticles by 15% by converting a batch operation into a continuous process which $1 million annually; performed ROI analysis to justify capital investment at the pilot plant for improving the overall efficiency; and developed and implemented test methods for quality assurance, which reduced the reject rate by 50%.

Led a cross-functional team of five that moved pigment nanodispersion from the lab, through pilot-plant, into semi-works for key customers in solvent inkjet, paint and polyurethane foam market (for improved thermal insulation).

BROWN AND WILLIAMSON CORPORATION (B.A.T. Industries), Macon, Georgia 1992 - 1996

Research Engineer - Materials and New Technology

Responsible for developing and implementing innovative technologies and materials for next generation filters, adhesives and packaging films.

Recommended key modification to activated carbon filter design to improve smoke quality – realized savings of $120,000 annually.

Established and managed lab for QA of carbon/filters and evaluation of adsorbents, molecular sieves and resins; Identified cellulosic and nonwoven filtration media - spunbond cellulose acetate, melt-blown polypropylene; built prototypes to enhance selective aerosol filtration; evaluated novel materials suitable for high-speed manufacturing; negotiated specifications with filter rod suppliers.

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1992

Post-Doctoral Research Associate (Department of Chemical Engineering)

Project: "Experimental Study of Gas Dynamics in Spin-Coating" (Sponsored by a consortium of Intel, Motorola, IBM, SVG and HP).

Recommended modification to process conditions/design of spin-coater, which was instrumental in enhancing the resolution of IC chips-helped launch the next generation 12” IC chips. Characterized spin-coating polymer PMMA. Work published in Appl. Phys. Lett. (1993).

EDUCATION

MBA, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, Nashville, Tennessee (2004)

PhD, Chemical Engineering, UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, Kingston, Rhode Island

MS, Chemical Engineering, UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, Kingston, Rhode Island

BS, Chemical Engineering, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Kanpur, INDIA

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Building an Innovation Mindset: Skills, Action and Renewal, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison (2018)

Understanding / Advances in - IP and Patent Law, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison (2017)

Effective Negotiating®, Karrass (2016)

New Product Blueprinting, Advanced Industrial Marketing (2011)

Adjunct Faculty at the Lakeland University, WI. Continually taught International Business, Business Research Methodology, Business Statistics and Intercultural Communication courses to undergraduate and graduate students (2006 - today)

Member of Advisory Board to a local start-up company which was commercializing platform technology to produce bio-carbons for energy storage, catalyst and water purification applications (2009 - 2011)

Recipient of Georgia-Pacific’s Value Creation Award (2009)

Mentored students from Tesla Engineering College on the project “EcoFridge” under the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Program (2008-2009)

New Product Innovation, Development & Implementation Strategies, Univ. of Chicago Graduate School of Business (2007)

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (2005), Total Quality management (2004); Statistical Process Quality Control (2002)

Holder/Co-inventor of 21 issued and pending patents. 14 papers/presentations in international journals/conferences

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