Oxifree Global, the corrosion-prevention specialist, has appointed Theo Rijper as its new business development manager.

Theo will be based in the Netherlands and joins with more than 30 years’ business development, consultancy and managerial experience acquired in the field of oil and gas, and energy solutions.

In the newly-created post, Theo will focus on expanding Oxifree Global’s presence into key markets across Europe by securing and supporting new license distributors. He is also responsible for developing existing partnerships with multinational oil and gas companies headquartered in Europe, including Shell, Wintershall, Total, ENI and Repsol.

"We are delighted to welcome Theo on board," comments Ed Hall, managing director of Oxifree Global. "Combining expert knowledge and understanding of the oil & gas market with commercial acumen and a proven track record in business growth, Theo will play a pivotal role in identifying and developing new market and customer opportunities within Europe.

"Theo has hit the ground running and has already expanded our network with a Master License Agreement signed with German-based Robke Erdol & Erdgas Technik, with a further two agreements in the final approval stages in France and Norway. His appointment will bring us closer to achieving global leader status in corrosion prevention and protection solutions."

Oxifree’s patent protected polymeric resin coatings contain active corrosion inhibitors within its formula, providing customers with a significant competitive advantage on parts that are deployed in severe conditions where existing solutions are not sustainable long term or financially viable.

"Oxifree coatings are unrivalled when it comes to asset integrity management," adds Theo. "Its solutions are clear; cost and time efficient, reusable and environmentally friendly. I’m very pleased to be joining the Oxifree Global team and supporting the company’s growth in the European market."

Theo is also a board member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in the Netherlands.