New board member for Mistra SafeChem

Mistra SafeChem is pleased to welcome Kristina Neimert Carne as a new member of the programme board. With a PhD in organic chemistry from KTH and extensive experience in chemical policy and regulation, she brings valuable industry and policy insight to the programme.

Kristina Neimert Carne is Head of Chemicals Policy at IKEM, the Swedish Association of the Chemical Industry. In her role, she works with regulatory frameworks such as REACH and CLP, supporting member companies and engaging with policymakers on chemical legislation. Her background spans both industry and policy, with previous experience in product development and technical support within the chemical sector. We asked Kristina a few questions about her new role as a board member for Mistra SafeChem.

What do you see as the most important role of the Board in a programme like Mistra SafeChem?
“I think the Board’s most important role is to keep the programme grounded in reality, while still pushing it to be ambitious. It needs to make sure the research is not only scientifically strong, but also relevant for industry and policy. In a way, it’s about asking the right questions and making sure the answers can actually be used.”

From your perspective, what is one key challenge in the transition to a safe and sustainable chemical industry?
“One key challenge is that regulation and innovation don’t always move at the same pace. From my experience in the chemical industry, I’ve seen how difficult it can be to balance safety requirements with the need to develop and scale new solutions. There’s also still a gap when it comes to data and practical tools to assess what ‘safe and sustainable’ really means in practice.”

What motivated you to work with chemical policy, and how does that perspective shape your view of Mistra SafeChem?
“I’ve spent a large part of my career in the chemical industry, and over time I became increasingly aware of how policy shapes what is actually possible to do in practice. Well-designed policy can help companies become more competitive in the market, while poorly designed policy can be detrimental to both competitiveness and productivity. When policy development and innovation go hand in hand, competitiveness can be strengthened. I believe this could be one of Mistra SafeChem’s most important missions.”