Avdey succeeds Kenichi Abe who will return to Kuraray’s global office in Tokyo to assume the role of General Manager for Corporate Management Planning. Avdey is currently the President of Kuraray America’s EVAL™ business unit responsible for Kuraray’s EVOH production and sales activities in the Western Hemisphere. In his new role, Avdey will be responsible for continuing the growth of Kuraray America’s products and services in the region. He will also oversee Kuraray America’s elastomers and trading groups.

Avdey graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Chemical Engineering and spent the first 15 years of his career with Borg-Warner Chemicals, later GE Plastics, progressing from a Process Development Engineer to a Regional Sales Manager. In 1990, George began working for Chevron Chemical Company as Business Manager for Styrenic Polymers, and later the General Sales Manager for their PE business. George joined Kuraray’s EVAL™ organization in 2000 as the Vice President of sales and has progressed through to his current position as President of Kuraray Americas, Inc.