Petri Lehmus, DSc (Tech.), has been appointed Executive Vice President of VTT’s Materials and Energy business area and a member of VTT’s Executive Leadership Team. He will take up the position on 1 September 2026 and report to President and CEO Kalle Härkki.
Lehmus has had a long career in the international chemical and process industries, with a focus on the interface between research, technology and business. He joins VTT from Neste, prior to which he worked at companies including Borouge and Borealis. At Neste, he has led the research and development organisation since 2011 and contributed to the company’s rise to become the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
Lehmus has extensive and diverse experience in leading industrial research, developing related business activities and commercialising technology-driven solutions. He has led research and development efforts from fundamental research through to production and the commercialisation of market-ready solutions. He has also been involved in establishing research centres globally, including in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and China. His own field of science is chemical engineering, and his work experience combines strong customer insight, strategic technology leadership and experience in guiding companies through demanding phases of transformation and growth.
Lehmus has an extensive international network and serves on several boards and expert networks, including the Innovation group of Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, the Aalto University Foundation and Clic Innovation Oy. He also actively collaborates with universities and research organisations.
“Petri’s strong background in materials development and renewable energy provides an excellent foundation for leading VTT’s new business area. He brings to the role strong leadership experience and the ability to build impactful collaboration with customers, partners and experts. His expertise strongly supports VTT’s goals of strengthening customer impact and accelerating the transition of technologies from research into business,” says Kalle Härkki, President and CEO of VTT.
“I am delighted to become part of implementing VTT’s new strategy and to help create growth opportunities and solutions that will have a significant impact on business renewal and the sustainable development of society. I’m very much looking forward to getting to know the people at VTT and gaining deeper insight into the work of this world-class expert organisation,” says Petri Lehmus.
In VTT’s new strategy, materials and energy solutions play a key role in strengthening the sustainable renewal and competitiveness of industry, as well as society’s resilience. The Materials and energy business area advances solutions that support the transition towards a lower-emission, more resource-efficient and technologically competitive society.
The Materials and energy business area employs approximately 1,100 people. Its research areas include advanced bio-based materials, industrial chemistry, materials intelligence, regenerative living and transport, nuclear energy, energy, and industrial biotechnology and food.
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