Theo Jan leads our petrochemicals work globally. For more than twenty years, he has offered consulting support to a broad range of companies in the chemicals and energy sectors. He also leads McKinsey on Chemicals, McKinsey's publication series that explores the changing chemicals landscape.
Keenly interested in understanding industry dynamics, TJ is the founder and coleader of Chemicals Insight. This advanced analytics team focuses on developing deep insights into petrochemicals markets and economics, including assessing cost curves, price-setting mechanisms, global trade flow, and regional value pools.
Recently, TJ also launched and leads McKinsey’s initiative on plastics recycling, and he currently advises companies and industry associations as they work toward a circular economy.
Before joining McKinsey, TJ was a partner at an international management consulting firm and a multinational professional services company. He spent his early career working in R&D, operations, and business development at a petrochemicals company in Europe and Asia.
Published work
“Inbound freight: The savings opportunity chemical players overlook,” McKinsey & Company, August 2021
“Petrochemicals 2020: A year of resilience and the road to recovery,” McKinsey & Company, May 2021
“The impact of COVID-19 on the global petrochemical industry,” McKinsey & Company, October 2020
“The European recycling landscape—the quiet before the storm?,” McKinsey & Company, August 2020
“Plastics recycling: Using an economic-feasibility lens to select the next moves,” McKinsey & Company, March 2020
“Accelerating plastic recovery in the United States,” McKinsey & Company, December 2019
“Chemicals and capital markets: Searching for a way back to the winner’s podium,” McKinsey & Company, November 2019
“How plastics waste recycling could transform the chemical industry,” McKinsey & Company, December 2018
“No time to waste: What plastics recycling could offer,” McKinsey & Company, September 2018
“Chemicals and capital markets: Back at the top,” McKinsey & Company, May 2018
“Petrochemicals 2030: Reinventing the way to win in a changing industry,” McKinsey & Company, February 2018
“Fighting commoditization of chemicals with a better commercial model,” McKinsey & Company, August 2017
“Chemicals 2025: Will the industry be dancing to a very different tune?” McKinsey & Company, March 2017
Past experience
Arthur D. Little
Director
Accenture
Partner
Shell Chemicals
R&D, Manufacturing, Business Development
Education
Einhoven University of Technology
MSc (Ir), chemical engineering