Last week, we announced the hiring of Duane Dickson as Chief Commercial Officer. Duane has over 40 years of experience in the industry and recently served as Vice Chairman and Principal in Deloitte LLP’s Energy, Resources, and Industrials group, where he led the U.S. Oil, Gas & Chemicals Sector. He is currently a Venture Partner at Breakthrough Energy and a Senior Expert at Rocky Mountain Institute.
Duane will lead Mattiq’s commercial strategy, helping forge partnerships with chemical companies to enable the sector’s cost-effective net-zero transition. Read the Q&A below to learn more about his background and thoughts on the state of the chemical industry.
How did you get into the chemicals industry and how have you seen it evolve during the course of your career?
The chemicals industry has always appealed to me for its continuous growth and significant impact on our economy and broader society. I’ve experienced first-hand remarkable shifts in the sector since I began working with chemical companies in 1987, including cyclical market changes, operational transformations, and groundbreaking innovations in both processes and products, as well as the rise of digitization. Now, with the transition towards more sustainable feedstocks, processes, and energy sources, I’m excited to engage with the next chapter of the industry’s evolution.
What would you say are your biggest career accomplishments?
Over the course of my career, I’ve been responsible for driving success in two distinct areas: achieving results as a business leader and acting as a change agent. Success in both requires different skill sets. I believe that leading a chemical business requires navigating operational and technological advancements while being a change agent demands a mindset focused on transformational improvements. Both roles have involved driving substantial change, and this experience is what’s needed as we embark on reshaping the chemicals and materials industries once again.
What would you say are the biggest challenges facing chemical companies in adopting decarbonization solutions?
The industry faces the challenge of balancing its large assets and carbon footprints with the demand for reduced emissions. Achieving this while delivering the financial returns stakeholders expect will be difficult for chemical companies. The key question is whether the industry can chart an economically viable path to net-zero emissions. If not, what are the consequences to its long-term health?
What do you think makes Mattiq stand out from others in the space?
Mattiq is in a category of its own. Its nanotechnology platform and leadership and expertise in electrochemistry are unmatched, which enables us to address the full spectrum of chemical decarbonization. Mattiq is not just hopping on the AI trend, it’s a strategic tool that powers our materials discovery platform, helping us unlock new sustainable solutions for partners.
What are your passions and hobbies outside of work?
My greatest passion is turning innovation into practical, real-world value, which is one of the many reasons I joined Mattiq. This drive is second only to my love for my family. I also enjoy exploring the “mathematics of value”—how ideas translate into results during execution. In my free time, I love to read, follow sports, and play golf.