#Yarn & Fiber

2024-10-03

NatureWorks welcomes new CGO and CFO as company enters new growth phase

Roger Tambay, Chief Growth Officer, and Roger Kempa, Chief Financial Officer, join NatureWorks as the company prepares to open their new fully integrated Ingeo™? PLA manufacturing facility in Thailand becoming the first PLA biopolymer producer to expand globally with a second manufacturing facility.

Roger Tambay (L), Chief Growth Officer, and Roger Kempa (R), Chief Financial Officer, join NatureWorks as it positions itself for international growth amongst growing interest in biobased materials © 2024 NatureWorks

NatureWorks, the leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, announced the appointment of Roger Tambay as the company’s Chief Growth Officer and Roger Kempa as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. The new executive officers are joining NatureWorks as the company enacts the first phase of its global expansion plans with the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Thailand. Both leaders underscore NatureWorks’ ambitions for growth and innovation as the global market for biobased materials accelerates alongside fast-evolving legislation and regulation around plastics and material circularity.

Roger Tambay NatureWorks CGO

“We are pleased to grow the leadership team at NatureWorks with people who can support our ambitious growth and innovation plans,” said Erik Ripple, President and CEO of NatureWorks. “As NatureWorks faces a competitive, yet high-potential market, we need to continue leading with new, highly functional polymers that can deliver transparent and traceable sustainability attributes while meeting the need for performance at scale in applications from compostable, flexible films to 3D printing filament.”

With over 30 years of experience in polymer and plastics industries, Tambay comes to NatureWorks from St. Johns Packaging in Canada, a global leader in sustainable flexible packaging supplying leading food and consumer product companies. As Vice President of Business Development and Sustainable Packaging, he provided technology and business development leadership for new products and markets aligning them with global circular economy legislation. Prior roles included founding and scaling the company FilmOrganic, which manufactures proprietary compostable mulch films with predictable lifespans for commercial fruit and vegetable production. Tambay received a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Université de Montréal, an MBA from Concordia University, and B.C.L. and LL.B law degrees from McGill University.

"I truly believe that if all plastic manufactured articles were made with Ingeo™? biopolymer, our world would be a much better place,” said Tambay. “I’m excited to be a part of NatureWorks as they continue to expand on their strong PLA manufacturing expertise and leadership in developing innovative applications that leverage the unique performance and sustainability attributes of Ingeo. I also look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders across multiple industries to grow our circular economy and promote the spirit of global plastics legislation."

Roger Kempa joins NatureWorks with 20 years of experience in global finance and has been serving as the interim Chief Financial Officer at NatureWorks since September 2023. Before joining NatureWorks, Kempa worked 8 years in successive financial roles at Cargill, including as the Global Finance Director for Joint Ventures and as the leader of Corporate Financial Planning for the company. Kempa comes with strong biopolymers experience serving as a founding Board of Directors member and the Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit committee for Qore, the producer of QIRA® bio-based 1,4-butanediol (BDO). His prior experience also includes finance roles at Target Corporation and Ford Motor Company. In May 2024, Kempa finalized new financing amounting to $350M USD from Krungthai Bank to support the construction of NatureWorks’ new fully integrated Ingeo™? PLA manufacturing facility in Thailand. Kempa holds an MBA from Michigan State University and a BBA and MA in Accounting from the University of Michigan, Dearborn.

“I’m excited to join the talented and purpose-driven team at NatureWorks and drive forward the adoption of a circular economy through the use of Ingeo biopolymer,” said Kempa. “Sustainable solutions for the future of our bioeconomy will require ingenuity, strong execution, and partnerships across the supply chain, which are all strengths I’ve witnessed from the NatureWorks team.”

For more information about NatureWorks and Ingeo, visit www.natureworksllc.com.

NatureWorks’ Ingeo PLA manufacturing expansion attracts Rrecord financing from Krungthai Bank PCL of Thailand

NatureWorks, a leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, today announced the historic financial support from Krungthai Bank PCL to optimize the capital structure for the new fully-integrated Ingeo™? PLA manufacturing facility in Thailand. The financing from Krungthai Bank, Thailand’s third largest bank, amounting to $350M USD (12,600M Baht Equivalent), is one of the singular largest loans in the bank’s decades-long history and shows confidence in NatureWorks’ market leadership and global economic impact. Today, the companies participated in a signing ceremony to celebrate this milestone.

NatureWorks appoints Erik Ripple new President and CEO

Today NatureWorks, a leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, announced the appointment of Erik Ripple as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. Ripple will succeed interim President and CEO, Jill Zullo, who has served in the role since March 2023 when former CEO, Rich Altice, retired from NatureWorks. Ripple comes to NatureWorks from Nexeon, Ltd. in the United Kingdom, a manufacturer of silicon carbide composites for electric vehicle batteries. As Chief Strategy Officer, he led the commercial, engineering, and program teams enabling the launch of their first commercial product to battery manufacturers.

NatureWorks announces next phase of construction on new fully integrated Ingeo™ PLA biopolymer manufacturing facility in Thailand

NatureWorks, a leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources has made significant progress on the construction of their new fully integrated Ingeo™? PLA biopolymer manufacturing facility in Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand. As a fully integrated PLA complex, the plant will include three manufacturing facilities: lactic acid fermentation, lactide monomer production, and polymerization. The facility will have an annual capacity of 75,000 tons of Ingeo biopolymer and produce the full portfolio of Ingeo grades. This effort reflects the company’s commitment to expanding customer access to fully biobased, low-carbon biomaterials with unique performance attributes valued by global downstream packaging and fiber markets.

Durak Tekstil to showcase its innovations for mattress industry at ISPA EXPO 2026

Durak Tekstil threads that meet the standards required for high-quality, long-lasting and comfortable products demanded by the mattress industry, while also offering new possibilities, will be exhibited at ISPA EXPO 2026. The fact that the fair is being held in the U.S.—one of Durak Tekstil’s key target markets—also carries great significance.

B.I.G. Yarns achieves EcoVadis Platinum Rating, ranking among top 1% of companies worldwide

B.I.G. Yarns, the carpet yarn brand of B.I.G. and a leading manufacturer of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) yarns for contract, automotive, and high-end residential applications, has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of more than 130.000 companies assessed globally.

Stability in volatile markets: Heimtextil 2026 launches with 3,000 exhibitors and design expertise from Patricia Urquiola

Heimtextil opens the new season with 3,000 exhibitors from 66 countries – maintaining stability while becoming even more international. The new hall layout increases visibility and connects supply and demand even more efficiently. At the opening, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola and Rosa Bertoli, Global Design Director of Wallpaper magazine, talk about AI, innovative materials and future-oriented design for modern living environments.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.