Sweder van Rijckevorsel has spent his career navigating global markets, from trading offices in Amsterdam to complex operations across the Caribbean and the U.S. Today, he’s leading Monument’s European business at a time when the market is shifting – and new opportunities are emerging.

In this Q&A, Sweder reflects on the experiences that shaped his path, what it took to build Monument’s presence in Europe, and how he’s thinking about growth, partnership, and what comes next.

You’ve spent more than two decades in the chemical industry – how did your career first begin?

I started working in the chemical industry during my university years. I’ve always been fascinated by global trade, especially logistics, ports, and how products move around the world. Growing up in the Netherlands, you’re naturally close to that. It’s a small country, but very international. Even as a teenager, I was drawn to those global connections.

That curiosity led me into my first role at a procurement trading office, now part of Brenntag, and that’s really where everything started.

You’ve worked across regions and roles – what experiences shaped you most along the way?

Early in my career, I was building growth in new markets like South Africa and Latin America, supplying chemicals from Europe and Asia and working closely with local distributors. That gave me a strong foundation in understanding both the products and the global flows behind them.

One of my biggest career turning points was moving to the Caribbean. That was a completely different environment: very complex markets, challenging negotiations, credit risks. It really pushed me to grow from being part of a trading office to thinking like a business leader.

Then I moved to Houston, managing a trading office supplying chemicals into Latin America. This was fast-paced with large contracts, tanker shipments, and freight negotiations across regions. We even built backhaul trade flows from Latin America to the U.S., which added another strategic layer.

All of those experiences together really shaped how I think about markets, logistics, and running a business globally.

What led you to Monument?

At the time, I was in Houston and thinking about what was next, both professionally and personally. My family and I were deciding whether to stay in the U.S. or move back to the Netherlands.

I connected with Dan Malone (Monument’s Commercial VP) around that time, and we hit it off immediately. Monument had recently acquired the Antwerp site in Belgium, and we started talking about the opportunity to build something new in Europe. I was intrigued and excited from the start, and I joined Monument in 2011.

What made that opportunity stand out to you?

It was a great combination of things. I had experience on the distribution side, and this was a chance to step into production and really learn that side of the business. But just as important was Monument’s entrepreneurial mindset.

It felt like we were building something from the ground up – inside an existing organization, but with a real “what’s next?” mentality. What should we produce? Where can we grow?

And on a personal level…my family and I were happy for the chance to return home to the Netherlands!

You helped build the European business – what has that journey looked like?

Together with the local team, we built the business from scratch, starting with semi-commodity chemicals and gradually moving into high-purity products, primarily serving the pharmaceutical industry. Over the years, we have grown into a significant solvent player in Europe.

Every year, there are new opportunities to develop products and grow the business. That’s quite unique in this industry, and it keeps things dynamic.

You’ve now stepped into the role leading Monument’s European business – what excites you most about this next chapter?

The chance to challenge myself again – to learn, grow, and take on a wider leadership responsibility for the full business.

I’m also working with a team I’ve known for more than ten years. There’s a lot of trust here. Everyone brings something different, and together we’re in a strong position to navigate a complex market and keep growing.

And now being part of the global leadership team – helping shape company strategy – that’s a new and exciting dimension as well.

What are your immediate priorities?

First and foremost – safety. Always.

Beyond that, a big focus is on culture. We have a strong foundation, and I want to continue building an environment where people feel empowered to speak up, collaborate, and really support each other.

It’s about working cross-functionally, staying connected, and making sure we’re not just operating efficiently, but also looking out for one another as a team.

On the business side, the priority is growth. The market is challenging, but we have capacity, and we need to bring in long-term, sustainable business to our facilities.

That means staying very close to the market, understanding where the gaps are, and identifying the right opportunities – whether that’s new projects, circular streams, or expanding into adjacent areas.

That agility – being able to adapt and evolve – is what’s kept us competitive.

How would you describe the European chemical market right now?

It’s definitely under pressure. There are plant closures, and overall conditions are challenging.

But with that comes opportunity.

As consolidation happens, there’s space for flexible, multipurpose players like Monument. We can step in where others are exiting.

There’s also a growing demand for regional production, especially from customers who value quality, reliability, and service. That plays directly to our strengths.

Monument talks a lot about partnership – what does that look like in practice?

For us, partnership means going beyond just supplying a product.

It’s about saying “yes” where others might say “no.” It’s about understanding what the customer really needs, and helping them grow their business on our platform.

In custom manufacturing, that might mean building on a core business and expanding into adjacent products.

On the product side, especially in pharma, it’s about continuously raising the bar – adding new solvents, delivering consistent quality, and hitting the target every time.

What part of your work energizes you most?

Business development. Growth. That’s always been my passion, and it still is.

I’ve really enjoyed building the European business over the past 15 years, alongside the team and with the support of Dan Malone.

It’s been a great journey, and we’ve had a lot of fun along the way.

Outside of work, how do you recharge?

I like to stay active, and I kickbox, ski, and walk the dog to keep my energy up. Spending time with family and friends, especially on weekends, is important to me as well.

I also enjoy reading, especially about business and the journeys of successful people. It helps me stay inspired and keep a forward-looking mindset.

Any book recommendations?

Shoe Dog, which tellsthe story of Nike’s founder, Phil Knight. It follows his journey from a student with an idea, to a distributor, to building a global brand. Really inspiring – and a mindset we can definitely relate to at Monument!