Ronald Niermans holds a B.Sc. in Molecular Sciences and a Master degree in Environmental Sciences - both from Wageningen University & Research Centre, the Netherlands. Part of study was carried out as faculty member at Notre Dame University, Center for Bioengineering & Pollution Control, USA (Prof. Robert Irvine).
He started as Process design engineer with DHV in 1989 but soon afterwards dedicated his career to Patents and Licensing. He got post graduate education in Intellectual Property Rights, Technology Management and Contract Drafting and International Negotiation in the USA and in the UK.
Since 1993 he is responsible for protecting and licensing proprietary technology and know-how of DHV, as director, IP and licensing. Ronald Niermans is member of the Licensing Executives Society.
The current portfolio includes DHV invented technologies like Carrousel®, Crystalactor® and Nereda®. The licensee network spreads over countries like USA, Japan, Australia and South-Africa, which makes Ronald a frequent traveler.
Ronald is also linked to DHV Holding legal team for IP related issues (like NDA's, know-how transfer agreements, trade names, trademarks and patents).
DHV is an employee owned company. Since 1998 he manages the DHV Group Employee Share Plan, for which he directly reports to the Executive Board.