Michael Kolk

Managing Partner

Global Practice Leader, Technology & Innovation Management

Areas of Focus

Education

Radboud University
PhD Physical Chemistry
University of Amsterdam
M.Sc. Biochemistry

Past Experience

Shell
Workgroup Leader

Michaël is a Partner who joined Arthur D. Little in 2000 and has been based in the Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur offices. He leads our Global Technology & Innovation Management Practice and coordinates as well our Global Chemicals Practice.

His consulting focus finds itself in the areas of Growth and Innovation performance enhancement, primarily in the chemicals, life sciences, and other technology-intensive industries. He is a regular speaker at innovation conferences.

Michaël’s mission in his professional life is to help clients find and capture opportunities for sustainable growth and value creation. Very often this involves the “what” (strategy creation, opportunity scouting, business-case creation, etc.) alongside the “how” (innovation management, organization and process redesign, capability building, change management, etc.).

Before joining Arthur D. Little, Michaël worked for Shell Chemicals as a workgroup leader in its Amsterdam Technology Center, providing technical support to internal customers in downstream oil and chemicals.

Michaël holds an MSc in biochemistry from the University of Amsterdam and a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from Radboud University. In addition, he has attended the Executive Education program of Insead, France.

Michaël is married and has three young daughters. His other interests are literature, world politics, and popular science. In his spare time, he likes to run (regularly) and travel to the world’s more distant places (occasionally).

Recent Publications

Excelling in a software-driven future
Excelling in a software-driven future
Agron Lasku, Michael Kolk, Martin Glaumann, Michael Papadopoulos
Software is rapidly becoming a critical asset as industries converge and perception of value shifts from hardware to software. Surgeons, for instance, can perform lifesaving surgeries via virtual reality (VR). But such a revolutionary procedure demands zero risk for error or downtime in connectivity, leading to new network requirements. Retail and commerce has also conjoined with computing, logistics, and finance for seamless online shopping.
Find out more
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
Chemicals
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
Trung Ghi, Phil Webster , Daniel Monzon, Michael Kolk
This is now changing rapidly, reinvigorating the market. Demand is growing, driven by increasingly environmentally conscious consumers and governments’ Net Zero targets requiring consumer-focused product companies to achieve sustainability. Finally, technology breakthroughs are bringing down production costs for bio-based materials, while improving their performance to make them comparable or superior to fossil-based counterparts.
Find out more
European battery recycling: An emerging cross-industry convergence
Rodrigo P. Navarro, Dr. Philipp Seidel, Michael Kolk, Alexander Krug
The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and associated battery gigafactories is pushing forward the creation of a European closed-loop battery recycling value chain. Increased recycling demand, intensified EU regulations, and a strong desire to localize supply chains and safeguard critical raw materials is driving multiple opportunities. In this context, as we explore in this Viewpoint, new ecosystems are emerging, and players interested in scaling need to act quickly to take advantage of the current environment.
Find out more
11 technology trends for post-crisis success
Dr. Fabian Doemer, Michael Kolk, Volker Pfirsching, Philipp Mudersbach
Find out more
BUILDING THE BATTERY ECOSYSTEM OF TOMORROW
Rodrigo P. Navarro, Michael Kolk
Combining technology, scale-up capabilities, and capital to power change Realizing the strategic importance of batteries, Western governments are aiming to build their own ecosystems, competing (and collaborating) with Asian leaders. So, what will the battery ecosystem of tomorrow look like? To discuss current and future trends, Arthur D. Little (ADL) brought together representatives of established and emerging players. This Viewpoint provides a high-level summary of the discussion.
Find out more

Michaël is a Partner who joined Arthur D. Little in 2000 and has been based in the Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur offices. He leads our Global Technology & Innovation Management Practice and coordinates as well our Global Chemicals Practice.

His consulting focus finds itself in the areas of Growth and Innovation performance enhancement, primarily in the chemicals, life sciences, and other technology-intensive industries. He is a regular speaker at innovation conferences.

Michaël’s mission in his professional life is to help clients find and capture opportunities for sustainable growth and value creation. Very often this involves the “what” (strategy creation, opportunity scouting, business-case creation, etc.) alongside the “how” (innovation management, organization and process redesign, capability building, change management, etc.).

Before joining Arthur D. Little, Michaël worked for Shell Chemicals as a workgroup leader in its Amsterdam Technology Center, providing technical support to internal customers in downstream oil and chemicals.

Michaël holds an MSc in biochemistry from the University of Amsterdam and a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from Radboud University. In addition, he has attended the Executive Education program of Insead, France.

Michaël is married and has three young daughters. His other interests are literature, world politics, and popular science. In his spare time, he likes to run (regularly) and travel to the world’s more distant places (occasionally).

Recent Publications

Excelling in a software-driven future
Excelling in a software-driven future
Agron Lasku, Michael Kolk, Martin Glaumann, Michael Papadopoulos
Software is rapidly becoming a critical asset as industries converge and perception of value shifts from hardware to software. Surgeons, for instance, can perform lifesaving surgeries via virtual reality (VR). But such a revolutionary procedure demands zero risk for error or downtime in connectivity, leading to new network requirements. Retail and commerce has also conjoined with computing, logistics, and finance for seamless online shopping.
Find out more
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
Chemicals
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
Trung Ghi, Phil Webster , Daniel Monzon, Michael Kolk
This is now changing rapidly, reinvigorating the market. Demand is growing, driven by increasingly environmentally conscious consumers and governments’ Net Zero targets requiring consumer-focused product companies to achieve sustainability. Finally, technology breakthroughs are bringing down production costs for bio-based materials, while improving their performance to make them comparable or superior to fossil-based counterparts.
Find out more
European battery recycling: An emerging cross-industry convergence
Rodrigo P. Navarro, Dr. Philipp Seidel, Michael Kolk, Alexander Krug
The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and associated battery gigafactories is pushing forward the creation of a European closed-loop battery recycling value chain. Increased recycling demand, intensified EU regulations, and a strong desire to localize supply chains and safeguard critical raw materials is driving multiple opportunities. In this context, as we explore in this Viewpoint, new ecosystems are emerging, and players interested in scaling need to act quickly to take advantage of the current environment.
Find out more
11 technology trends for post-crisis success
Dr. Fabian Doemer, Michael Kolk, Volker Pfirsching, Philipp Mudersbach
Find out more
BUILDING THE BATTERY ECOSYSTEM OF TOMORROW
Rodrigo P. Navarro, Michael Kolk
Combining technology, scale-up capabilities, and capital to power change Realizing the strategic importance of batteries, Western governments are aiming to build their own ecosystems, competing (and collaborating) with Asian leaders. So, what will the battery ecosystem of tomorrow look like? To discuss current and future trends, Arthur D. Little (ADL) brought together representatives of established and emerging players. This Viewpoint provides a high-level summary of the discussion.
Find out more

More About Michael
  • Radboud University
    PhD Physical Chemistry
  • University of Amsterdam
    M.Sc. Biochemistry
  • Shell
    Workgroup Leader