Michael Waelchli 

Executive Vice President and President, Novelis Asia

Michael Wälchli is Executive Vice President and President, Novelis Asia. In this role, which he was appointed to in February 2026, he is responsible for leading the overall strategy and P&L for Novelis’ Asia business, with responsibilities spanning the entire supply chain, operations and sales to the beverage packaging, automotive, aerospace, and specialty products markets.

Previously, Michael held the position of Chief Manufacturing Officer at Novelis, Inc., where he led global initiatives to drive sustainable and efficient manufacturing operations. His oversight included key areas such as Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS); Operational Excellence; CapEx Management; Engineering, Maintenance, Reliability, Automation (EMRA); and process technology innovation along the production process from casting to rolling and finishing. He also chaired the Novelis Manufacturing Council and contributed as a member of the Manufacturing Talent Council for Aditya Birla Group (ABG), advancing strategic projects focused on innovation and talent development within the manufacturing sector.

Michael joined Novelis in 2015 in the European Strategy team, where he was responsible for developing and implementing initiatives to improve the profitability of the European commercial and operations functions. He later served as Plant Manager for the Sauerland plants in Ohle and Lüdenscheid before being named Technical Managing Director of Alunorf, where he led the transformation of the joint venture between Novelis and Hydro (until 2021, then Speira), through a focus on culture, operational excellence, and digitalization. In 2023, Michael was appointed to the role of Deputy Chief Manufacturing Officer before being named Chief Manufacturing Officer in February 2024.

Prior to Novelis, Michael spent six years as a consultant with McKinsey & Company where he worked on client engagements in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Michael holds a master’s degree in finance from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and an MBA from the University of Cambridge. He also underwent further studies in engineering, operations management and digitalization at the University of Warwick, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne.