David Sewell Appointed CEO of Honeywell's Solstice Advanced Materials Spin-off

Honeywell International, Inc. (HON) has unveiled major leadership appointments for its upcoming Advanced Materials business separation, which will operate independently as Solstice Advanced Materials. The $4 billion revenue division is on track to complete its tax-free spin to shareholders in the coming months as part of a broader strategic transformation. David Sewell has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the new company, joining immediately to oversee the transition and establish the independent operations.

David Sewell Brings Three Decades of Materials Industry Leadership

David Sewell assumes the helm with more than 30 years of deep experience in the materials and chemicals sectors. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of WestRock Company, a major player in packaging and specialty materials. Prior to WestRock, Sewell held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer at The Sherwin Williams Co., one of the world’s largest coatings manufacturers. His career also includes a substantial tenure at General Electric, where he spent over 15 years leading operations within the Plastics and Advanced Materials Division—directly aligned with the technical focus of Solstice.

Comprehensive Leadership Structure for Independent Operations

To support the separation, Honeywell has assembled a complete executive team. Rajeev Gautam, a veteran of more than four decades at Honeywell with extensive experience in process technologies and advanced materials, will serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board upon completion of the spin. Gautam previously led Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT) as President and CEO and also served as President of Honeywell UOP before his 2021 retirement.

Tina Pierce has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective from May 2025. She brings over 25 years of experience at Honeywell in senior financial leadership roles across multiple business segments, currently serving as Vice President and CFO of Honeywell Industrial Automation. The company’s two operating segments will be led by promoted executives Jeff Dormo and Simon Mawson, each assuming the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager.

Building a Sustainability-Focused Specialty Chemicals Pure Play

Solstice Advanced Materials will position itself as a publicly traded, sustainability-focused specialty chemicals and materials company. The business leverages leading technologies and premier brands, particularly its Solstice hydrofluoroolefin technology—a cornerstone of its competitive differentiation in the advanced materials market. Under David Sewell’s leadership, the company will maintain its global footprint with headquarters in Morris Plains, New Jersey, while operating regional centers across key markets.

Global Operational and Manufacturing Network

The independent company will sustain and expand its international presence through teams located in Charlotte, Houston, Dublin, Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangalore, Bucharest, and Mexico City. Solstice will preserve its comprehensive global manufacturing operations and research and development facilities, positioning the separated entity to compete as a self-sufficient industry leader with technology innovation at its core. The separation represents a strategic move to unlock value within the advanced materials segment while allowing it to operate with greater agility in an increasingly competitive specialty chemicals marketplace.