Ulrich leads the firm's Chemicals & Agriculture Practice in EMEA. He has deep expertise on strategy, M&A and merger management, restructuring and transformation, as well as growth and innovation management. He is also the head of our M&A work in the Global Energy and Materials space.
Notable examples of Ulrich’s work in the past include the following:
- Building long-term strategies for several global specialty chemical companies, often with focus on growth in emerging technology fields
- Helping chemical companies screen potential M&A targets: conduct due diligence and facilitate post-merger integration
- Restructuring and Transformation of companies in process industries for achieving a stable profitability and growth
- Supporting large-scale reorganizations that involve the introduction of new operating models and governance structures
- Increasing the productivity in research and development in the chemical industry
Before joining McKinsey in 2004, Ulrich worked as a research scientist at the European Molecular Biology Laboratories in Heidelberg, Germany. While earning a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Regensburg, he spent a year as an exchange student at Washington University, St. Louis.
Published work
“Securing competitiveness in India’s chemical industry,” McKinsey & Company, June 2024
“Chemicals: Success through timely, tailored action,” McKinsey & Company, February 2024
“Decarbonizing the chemical industry,” McKinsey & Company, April 2023
India: The next chemicals manufacturing hub, McKinsey & Company, February 2023
“Accelerating India’s sustainability journey in chemicals,” McKinsey & Company, April 2022
“Adapting your operating model to the new normal: The next big move,” McKinsey & Company, February 2021
“Managing M&A in chemicals: Meeting the new challenges,” McKinsey & Company, January 2018
“The M&A wave in chemicals: Bigger, faster, and more specialized,” McKinsey & Company, January 2020
“Create value from your merger in five steps,” blog entry, McKinsey & Company, July 2018
“Digital in Chemicals: From Technology to Impact”, McKinsey & Company, July 2017
“A Game Plan for International Specialty-Chemical Companies in China”, McKinsey & Company, July 2017
“Winning in India: The specialty-chemicals opportunity,” McKinsey on Chemicals, Spring 2012
“The growing demand for green,” McKinsey on Chemicals, Spring 2012
“The future of industrial biorefineries,”World Economic Forum Report, 2010
“Setting the right course in biobased bulk chemicals,” McKinsey on Chemicals, Autumn 2008
“Finding the business opportunities in climate change,” McKinsey on Chemicals, Autumn 2008
“Is innovation helping or hurting your bottom line,” McKinsey on Chemicals, Autumn 2008
Past experience
European Molecular Biology Laboratories
Research scientist
Education
University of Heidelberg
PhD in biochemistry
University of Regensburg
MS in biochemistry
