Avery Dennison Corporation has announced the appointment of Hassan Rmaile as the global vice president of R&D for its Materials Group effective immediately. He replaces Sjaak Elmendorp, who will be retiring from the company after 22 years of service.

As global VP for R&D, Rmaile will oversee the Materials Group’s extensive global R&D network and focus on identifying new, disruptive applications while continuing to grow the performance and cost attractiveness of the core business.

Rmaile is joining Avery Dennison from St. Paul, Minnesota-based H.B. Fuller Company, a global industrial adhesives manufacturer, where he served as vice president, chief technology and innovation officer. Prior to joining H.B. Fuller, Rmaile held roles of increasing commercial and innovation leadership at Ashland Incorporated, a specialty chemical company.

“Hassan brings a strong track record of global R&D leadership and proven success in the commercialization of new technologies and products while enhancing overall profitability for the business,” says Georges Gravanis, president, Avery Dennison Materials Group. “He is an experienced global innovation leader in multiple sectors of the specialty chemicals market.”

Rmaile earned his PhD in chemistry from Florida State University, an MBA in finance from the University of Delaware and graduated with a BS in Chemistry from American University of Beirut, Lebanon.