Robbert de Graaf
PhD Chemical Engineering · Founder, RAES Solutions B.V.
The combination that matters is technology and customer. A technology is only a solution when it works at scale and when someone pays for what it makes. Twenty-five years in research, engineering, operations and management have been spent on that gap: from university lab to chemical plant, from medical device to water treatment, and from department to business.
Track record
- 2026 – nowScale-up in separation and drying of biomaterials
Operations Director / General Manager - 2025 – 2026Paques
Chief Technology Officer: global R&D and engineering in biological water treatment; investment and risk decisions with CEO and CFO - 2018 – 2025Avantium
Director Technology & Innovation: bio-polymers, electrolysis and pyrolysis from concept to industrialisation - 2016 – 2018Cabot Norit Activated Carbon
Head of R&D: activated carbon for water, air, food and pharma, including PFAS removal - 2014 – 2016DSM
Head of Technology: engineering plastics plants, front-end loading, concept to construction - 2010 – 2014Polyganics
Director R&D: bio-resorbable medical devices, IP, regulatory affairs, clinical trials - 2001 – 2010AkzoNobel
R&D, engineering, safety services and key account management; HAZOP and risk team leader - 1996 – 2001University of Groningen
Assistant Professor in chemical physical separations and product technology
Education and more
- MSc and PhD Chemical Engineering, University of Groningen
- Executive Leadership Program, Babson College
- ISO 13485 – medical device quality management systems
- Languages: Dutch, English, French, German
- Patents on synthetic foams, hemostatic foam, functionalised polymer networks and parallel batch reactors
Independence
RAES Solutions does not accept assignments that could harm current or former employers or clients. Confidential information from previous roles is never used. Current roles are disclosed before any engagement.
RAES Solutions B.V. is part of RAEON B.V.