10:24 a.m., May 12, 2010----Erik Fyrwald, who earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at the University of Delaware in 1981, is chairman and CEO of Nalco, a company that is playing a significant role in the cleanup of the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana.

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Nalco confirmed on Monday, May 10, that it is providing oil dispersants and support to BP and the responders dealing with the spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The company will continue to provide these dispersants as requested for as long as responders have the need. Fyrwald spoke on both Fox Business and CNBC about Nalco's oil spill response technologies.

When asked to explain the technology in layman's terms, Fyrwald said, “It's a dispersant that breaks down oil into small enough particles that it becomes nutrition for the naturally occurring bacteria in the water.”

Initially approved for application to the surface of the water, the product -- a combination of surfactants and solvents -- is now being tested for use directly at the wellhead. “That method been demonstrated to be effective, and we're waiting for approval on it,” Fyrwald said.

Given the magnitude of the problem -- as of this week, the spill was the size of New Jersey -- Nalco is rapidly ramping up production.

“Our suppliers have shown us great support in getting us the raw materials we need,” Fyrwald said. “This has really been an industry-wide effort to limit the impacts of the spill. We all are committed to helping the people and environment of the Gulf Coast recover as rapidly as possible.”

Fyrwald joined Nalco as chairman, president, and CEO in February 2008 after a 27-year career with the DuPont Company. At DuPont, he held a wide range of assignments in a number of divisions covering many industries, and he worked in several locations throughout North America and Asia.

After earning his bachelor of science degree from UD, Fyrwald completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

In addition to serving as chairman of Nalco's Board of Directors, he serves on the board of directors of Eli Lilly and Company.

Fyrwald presented a talk in February at UD's Wilmington campus as part of the Senior Executive Speaker Series sponsored by the Lerner College of Business and Economics.

Article by Diane Kukich