About Us
NXTLEVVEL is a commercial scale manufacturer of next generation biomass derived chemicals, with world leading technology in bio-solvents based on levulinic acid. Affordable biobased chemicals are essential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and will play a critical role in the reduction of carbon emissions. NXTLEVVEL delivers high performance solutions for sustainable chemistry.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, NXTLEVVEL is a joint venture company bringing together the industrial expertise of Towell Engineering Group with advanced technology developed by GFBiochemicals.
Towell Engineering Group, the flagship business unit of the W.J.Towell group of companies based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, is one of the largest engineering conglomerates in the Middle East with extensive chemical plant design and operational capabilities. Towell Engineering Group is involved in Engineering & Construction in the Oil & Gas, Infrastructure, and Power Generation, Industrial projects, Commercial / Residential projects and Steel Fabrication industries. The group presently has operations covering Oman, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and India.
Founded in 2008, GFBiochemicals has spent 12 years developing commercially viable levulinic acid production and proprietary derivatives, based on the conviction that levulinic acid is one of the most important biobased building blocks of the future and that winning technology can make a difference.
Developed over the last decade, our technology is highly innovative, proprietary and for the first time allows cost effective production of levulinate derivatives at industrial scale. The cornerstone is biomass derived levulinic acid and its esters, the patented Javelin™ technology from GFBiochemicals enabling production of biobased solvents and other biobased chemicals.
Industry leading IP portfolio combines levulinic acid & derivatives process & product patents.
Aris de Rijke has a PhD in Chemical Engineering. His career at Norsk Hydro, Shell and DSM has focused on development and industrial implementation of novel separation technologies. He led a global team of separation technology experts in DSM and has a strong background in technology management. Aris is convinced about the necessity to develop renewable, cost-competitive alternatives to petrochemicals and joined GFBiochemicals several years ago, where he is CTO.
Mr. Balaji Srinivasan, is the Founder, Group CEO & Managing Director of Towell Engineering Group of companies. A Mechanical Engineer by profession, he started Towell Engineering Group (TEG) as a small division and an one-man operation about two decades ago. Today the group has an employee strength of over 8,500 and has grown organically into a multidisciplinary Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) company. TEG offers services to Oil & Gas, Refinery, Petrochemicals, Power, Fabrication, Infrastructure, Industrial and Chemical sectors, and has twelve operating companies spread over the Middle East, India & Europe. As Managing Director of Nxtlevvel, he brings his proven expertise of efficient management skills coupled with astute technical and business knowledge.
Rudy Parton is an engineer in agricultural science, with a PhD and post-doc in catalysis. After his post-doctorate, he joined DSM. As Principal Scientist, he largely contributed to competitiveness of DSM’s businesses by proposing and driving creative solutions. Rudy is the inventor of over 20 patents. He joined GFBiochemicals several years ago as CSO, spearheading R&D, Intellectual Property and Application Development.
Steve has been in the speciality chemicals business for nearly 40 years and specialises in developing strategies to commercialise new products. He has led commercial teams at both Elevance Renewable Sciences and Dow Corning (now part of Dow Chemical) in global sales and creating strategic partnerships with a focus in Home Care, Personal Care, Institutional & Industrial Cleaning, Paints & Coatings, and Agricultural Chemicals. Steve has a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MS in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management.
Jonathan began his career in the packaging sector before moving to the Polyurethane Systems division of Dow Chemical, and subsequently to head the Arrow Solutions speciality chemical business for Reabrook Ltd. With over 20 years experience in the chemical industry, Jonathan has led businesses in multiple countries delivering formulated product solutions for a wide range of applications within Industrial & Institutional Cleaning, Automotive and Homecare.
Mathieu co-founded GFBiochemicals in 2008 with the ambition of finding sustainable alternatives to oil-based products. In 2016 GFBiochemicals acquired Segetis, a leading producer of levulinic acid derivatives. He has always been interested in new technology and played an active role in developing the businesses alongside his football career playing for AC Milan, Arsenal and Crystal Palace. Mathieu is a member of the World Economic Forum, Young Global Leaders. Since 2019, he is engaged full time in the business with a special focus on key stakeholder relationship management and commercialisation.