#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.

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

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.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).