Our people
IB2 was founded in 2014 by Yves Occello (CEO) a 40 years’ experience professional in the bauxite and alumina industry.
The team is made up of 10 professionals cumulating 250 years of experience in the bauxite and alumina industry.
The team has a unique knowledge and real-world experience in the Whole Bayer Process and in a wide range of bauxites including diasporic bauxite especially Chinese diasporic bauxites.
For the last 40 years, IB2 technology experts have occupied key positions within the most recognized companies in the sector (Pechiney, Alcan, Rio Tinto), in key bauxite and alumina areas (China, Guinea, Venezuela, India, Europe, Australia…) where they inter-alia:
- Participated in the industry development
- Led laboratories works
- Co-invented multiple patents
Managed operations, Technical Assistance and projects worldwide
IB2 team also has expertise in multiple other areas including inter-alia: Legal, Marketing and Communication, Data Processing, Procurement…
Board team
IB2 can also rely on the experience of a strong Management Board
Anne Lauvergeon
Chairman of the Board
Anne Lauvergeon is the founder and CEO of A.L.P an advisory and investment company as well as Chairman of the Board of Sigfox.
She was CEO of AREVA from July 2001 to June 2011, and Chairman and CEO of AREVA NC from June 1999 to June 2011.
In 1997, she at ALCATEL as Senior Executive Vice President, member of the Executive Committee, in charge of International business and industrial holdings.
From 1995 to 1997 she was Partner of Lazard Frères & Cie.
From 1990 to 1995 she worked for the French President’s office, in charge of international economy and foreign trade missions in 1990, then Deputy Chief of Staff and Personal Representative to the French President, in charge of the G7/G8 Summits’ from 1991.
Anne Lauvergeon began her career in 1983 in the steel industry, at Usinor, before working on nuclear & chemical safety issues in Europe at the French Atomic Energy Commission.
Anne Lauvergeon is a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure and the French National School of Mining Engineer. She holds an advanced degree in Physics & Chemistry.
Mrs Lauvergeon is Doctor Honoris Causa of the Imperial College, London (2008), Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK 2011) and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Belgium (2012).
Ranked twice by Time Magazine amongst 100 most influential people in the world.
Ranked by Forbes (Fortune Global), the Financial Times as one of the most powerful and influential women in Europe and in the world
Yves Occello
C.E.O and board member
Yves has a 45 years experience in the bauxite and alumina industry occupying key positions at Pechiney, Alcan and Rio Tinto.
Yves was mainly involved in operations and a technology leader. He has inter-alia initiated and developed “Specialty Alumina” at Pechiney where he also led an important costs reduction program. He was a director in multiple Boards
He founded Amber Development in 2010, a company specialized in technical and marketing services for the bauxite and alumina industry where he coordinates the development of IB2™ technology, in which he operates as CEO.
Yves holds a Master in Chemical Engineering Degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie of Paris and is an Honorary Director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Laurent Musy
Board member
Since 2015 Laurent Musy has been the CEO of Terreal, a leading international clay tile and brick manufacturer.
He previously occupied for 17 years multiple key positions in the aluminum industry, in bauxite mining, alumina refining, smelting and rolling, worldwide.
From 2006 to 2008 he was President of Alcan Bauxite and Alumina’s Atlantic Operations. As such he oversaw bauxite mining and alumina refining operations in Guinea, Ghana, Brazil, Canada and France. He also led the integration of the Bauxite and alumina businesses of Alcan and Rio Tinto. After 2008 Laurent was
President of Constellium’s Packaging and Automotive and then Aerospace and Transportation divisions.
Beforehand Laurent also worked for Bull Japan, Saint-Gobain and McKinsey.
He is a graduate of the Ecole des Mines de Paris and holds an MBA from INSEAD.
Romain Girbal
Board member
Romain started his career in the structured finance mining department at Glencore and as a legal director at Harvest Energy.
In 2012, he co-founded Alliance Minière Responsable (“AMR”), an independent French mining company that develops sustainable mining projects in Africa with a 295 km² bauxite exploration permit in the Republic of Guinea. In 2018 AMR began operations and became the 3rd most important bauxite producing mine in the world.
Romain holds a Master’s degree in Business Law and Management from HEC.
Thibault Launay
Board member
Thibault started his career as a financial analyst responsible for junior mining companies at ICAP Stock Exchange.
In 2012, he co-founded Alliance Minière Responsable (“AMR”), an independent French mining company that develops sustainable mining projects in Africa with a 295 km² bauxite exploration permit in the Republic of Guinea. In 2018 AMR began operations and became the 3rd most important bauxite producing mine in the world.
Thibault holds a Master’s degree in Wealth Management from Paris Dauphine University.
Chloé Matte
Board member
Chloé Matte started her career in 2011 in consulting business advising aerospace companies. She then joined Saint-Gobain to perform internal audit on operational processes within its European subsidiaries.
Later, Chloé joined a Saint-Gobain distribution subsidiary to perform optimization projects in the supply chain field.
Chloé is now managing the Engineering development department of DAHER, a logistic company specialized in the aerospace market.
Chloé joined Amber Development in 2011 as a scientific advisor and has been following its adventure since then. She is involved in the IB2 Team since the beginning in 2014.
Chloé is a graduate from Engineering school Ecole Polytechnique and holds a master of science degree from UC Berkeley.
Technical team
Aime Cuneo-Rafaëlli
Chemical expert
Aime-Cuneo started has a 40 years experience in the alumina industry occupying key positions at Pechiney, Alcan and Rio Tinto.
He started his career in laboratories before being involved in operations and technical assistance. He was inter-alia responsible for operations in France and Greece where his expertise allowed to improve processes’ efficiency and technical assistance contracts. He had significant experiences in India, Venezuela and Africa.
Aime-Cuneo has been working for Amber Development since 2010 participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Aime holds a French Chemical Degree.
Robert Bitsch
Chemical expert
Robert has a 45 years experience in the alumina industry occupying key positions at Pechiney and Alcan.
He strongly participated in the development of this industry in the world. He played a key role in the structuring and development of the Nikolayev plant in Ukraine and was involved in designing the Pingguo plant in China.
Robert was Technical Manager of the QAL plant in Australia where he brought his experience to improve performance. He was also responsible for technical assistance in multiple plants in South America, Africa and Europe. Robert is co-inventor of multiple patents held by Pechiney and has been working for Amber
Development since 2011 participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Robert is graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie of Strasbourg and holds a Chemical Engineering Degree from the Delft Technical School in the Netherlands.
Odysseas Keramidas
Engineering Expert
Odysseas has a 43 years experience in the alumina industry occupying key positions at Pechiney, Alcanand Rio Tinto.
He was inter-alia involved in laboratory activities, operations, technical assistance and engineering in France, Greece, India and China. He was in charge of technical assistance in the Damanjodi factory during several years where he significantly improved performances.
Odysseas is co-inventor of multiple patents held by Pechiney and has been working for Amber Development since 2010 participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Odysseas holds a Master in Chemical Engineering Degree from the National Technical University of Athens.
Bernard Bosca
Project Expert
Bernard has a 45 years experience in the alumina industry through key positions at Pechiney, Alcan and Rio Tinto.
Bernard has a strong knowledge in Bauxite & Alumina production and in the management of Mega Projects.
His career moved from Operation Management in Europe and Africa to Mega Projects management in South America and Africa.
Bernard joined Amber Development at the beginning in 2010 and is participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Bernard is graduated from the Conservatoire National de Arts et Métiers (Paris).
Nicolas Mugnier
Chemical Expert
Nicolas has 20 years’ experience in Alumina refineries and R&D Center
He gained valuable experience on practical innovation and technical improvements through key positions at Pechiney, QAL, Gladstone (AUSTRALIA), Rio Tinto Alcan Gove (AUSTRALIA), Alteo Gardanne (FRANCE).
He is participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Nicolas is graduated from the Engineering school ESPCI (France), graduated in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering (Mines de Paris)
Aime Cuneo-Rafaëlli
Chemical expert
Aime-Cuneo started has a 40 years experience in the alumina industry occupying key positions at Pechiney, Alcan and Rio Tinto.
He started his career in laboratories before being involved in operations and technical assistance. He was inter-alia responsible for operations in France and Greece where his expertise allowed to improve processes’ efficiency and technical assistance contracts. He had significant experiences in India, Venezuela and Africa.
Aime-Cuneo has been working for Amber Development since 2010 participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Aime holds a French Chemical Degree.
Robert Bitsch
Chemical expert
Robert has a 45 years experience in the alumina industry occupying key positions at Pechiney and Alcan.
He strongly participated in the development of this industry in the world. He played a key role in the structuring and development of the Nikolayev plant in Ukraine and was involved in designing the Pingguo plant in China.
Robert was Technical Manager of the QAL plant in Australia where he brought his experience to improve performance. He was also responsible for technical assistance in multiple plants in South America, Africa and Europe. Robert is co-inventor of multiple patents held by Pechiney and has been working for Amber
Development since 2011 participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Robert is graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie of Strasbourg and holds a Chemical Engineering Degree from the Delft Technical School in the Netherlands.
Odysseas Keramidas
Engineering Expert
Odysseas has a 43 years experience in the alumina industry occupying key positions at Pechiney, Alcanand Rio Tinto.
He was inter-alia involved in laboratory activities, operations, technical assistance and engineering in France, Greece, India and China. He was in charge of technical assistance in the Damanjodi factory during several years where he significantly improved performances.
Odysseas is co-inventor of multiple patents held by Pechiney and has been working for Amber Development since 2010 participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Odysseas holds a Master in Chemical Engineering Degree from the National Technical University of Athens.
Bernard Bosca
Project Expert
Bernard has a 45 years experience in the alumina industry through key positions at Pechiney, Alcan and Rio Tinto.
Bernard has a strong knowledge in Bauxite & Alumina production and in the management of Mega Projects.
His career moved from Operation Management in Europe and Africa to Mega Projects management in South America and Africa.
Bernard joined Amber Development at the beginning in 2010 and is participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Bernard is graduated from the Conservatoire National de Arts et Métiers (Paris).
Nicolas Mugnier
Project Expert
Nicolas has 20 years’ experience in Alumina refineries and R&D Center
He gained valuable experience on practical innovation and technical improvements through key positions at Pechiney, QAL, Gladstone (AUSTRALIA), Rio Tinto Alcan Gove (AUSTRALIA), Alteo Gardanne (FRANCE).
He is participating in the development of IB2™ technology.
Nicolas is graduated from the Engineering school ESPCI (France), graduated in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering (Mines de Paris)
Corporate team
Xavier Perrier
Project Director
Xavier has 15 y experience in bauxite and alumina industry occupying technical and management positions at Pechiney, Alcan and Rio Tinto. Xavier was mainly involved in Bayer Research & Development, and, principally, Operations management, in France, and in Latin America where he headed a client refinery modernization team.
Xavier held the responsibilities of General manager of specialty borates (Rio Tinto) then EVP in another chemical mid-cap (Eurenco) in the area of energetic materials. He also managed a small cap turnaround as CEO.
Xavier holds a Master’s degree from Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Nancy, and one from IFP-School. He obtained his MBA at INSEAD.
Luc Vuillen
Senior Vice President Finance & Investment
Luc started his career in 2005 in the Real Estate structured finance department at Lehman Brothers, where he structured around 4 billion euros in financing.
He then joined Tikehau Capital where he structured the real estate investment activity and closed a JV partnership by Bouygues Construction for the acquisition of green real estate assets.
In 2012 he co-founded Tembari Partners with the dual ambition of advising his clients in the search for opportunities in West Africa and launching real estate investment projects.
He then started to manage the family office of two French entrepreneurs for whom he analyzed, carried out and managed more than 10 investments.
Luc is graduated from ESSEC and holds the AMF certification (French Financial Market Authority).