NatureWorks, a leading producer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers derived from renewable resources, has announced the appointment of two key executives: Roger Tambay as Chief Growth Officer and Roger Kempa as Chief Financial Officer. The appointments come as NatureWorks embarks on the first phase of its global expansion, marked by the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Thailand. These leadership additions reflect the company’s ambitions to capitalize on the growing demand for biobased materials and to navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape surrounding plastics and material circularity.
“We are excited to strengthen our leadership team with individuals who can help propel our growth and innovation initiatives,” said Erik Ripple, President and CEO of NatureWorks. “As we face a competitive yet opportunity-rich market, we aim to stay at the forefront by delivering advanced polymers that meet sustainability goals while maintaining high performance for applications ranging from compostable films to 3D printing.”
Roger Tambay, with over 30 years of experience in the polymer and plastics industries, joins from St. Johns Packaging, where he led business development and sustainability efforts for flexible packaging solutions aligned with global circular economy legislation. Previously, Tambay founded FilmOrganic, a manufacturer of compostable mulch films for agricultural use. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Université de Montréal, an MBA from Concordia University, and law degrees from McGill University.
“I believe Ingeo™️ biopolymer has the potential to revolutionize the plastics industry,” said Tambay. “I’m excited to contribute to NatureWorks’ expansion and collaborate with stakeholders to advance the circular economy and promote the goals of global plastics legislation.”
Roger Kempa, who had served as interim CFO since September 2023, brings 20 years of global finance experience, including leadership roles at Cargill, Target Corporation, and Ford Motor Company. At Cargill, he played a key role in financial planning and joint ventures. Kempa was instrumental in securing $350 million in financing from Krungthai Bank to support NatureWorks’ new PLA manufacturing facility in Thailand. He holds an MBA from Michigan State University and degrees in Accounting from the University of Michigan, Dearborn.
“I’m thrilled to join NatureWorks and help drive the adoption of sustainable solutions through Ingeo biopolymer,” said Kempa. “Our future bioeconomy depends on innovation, execution, and collaboration across the supply chain, and I’ve seen firsthand that these are strengths of the NatureWorks team.”
