Primetals Technologies has announced the appointment of Koji Sakatani as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026. He succeeds Yoshiharu Ikeda, who is retiring after a distinguished tenure marked by significant contributions to the company’s growth and global positioning.
Koji Sakatani brings extensive experience in the metals and heavy industry sectors, with a career spanning several decades. He began his professional journey at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited, where he held a range of leadership roles across global operations. His previous responsibilities include serving as Vice President of Plants and Infrastructure Systems, as well as Head of Strategy at Primetals Technologies, where he played a key role in shaping the company’s long-term direction.
Welcoming the appointment, Yoshiharu Ikeda highlighted Sakatani’s strong leadership track record and deep industry expertise, noting that his experience will reinforce the company’s ambition to remain a global leader in metals engineering and technology solutions.
In his new role, Mr Sakatani will focus on driving innovation and advancing the transformation of the metals industry. He emphasized the importance of technologies such as automation, hydrogen-based production processes, direct reduction, and electrification in enabling sustainable steelmaking. He also underscored the growing role of digitalization and services in improving efficiency and supporting decarbonization efforts.
Mr Sakatani expressed appreciation for his predecessor’s leadership and acknowledged the strong foundation built under Ikeda’s tenure. He noted that Primetals Technologies, supported by a global workforce of more than 7,000 professionals, is well-positioned to lead the next phase of industry transformation.
In addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Sakatani will assume the role of interim Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Andreas Weinhengst, who will also retire. This dual leadership role is expected to support continuity during the transition period.
Headquartered in London, Primetals Technologies offers a comprehensive portfolio of engineering, plant-building, and lifecycle services across the metals industry. Its capabilities span the entire production chain, from raw materials to finished products, including solutions in electrification, automation, digitalization, and environmental technologies. As part of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, the company continues to invest in advanced technologies and sustainable solutions, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and long-term industry leadership under Sakatani’s leadership.
