July 30, 2026 16:37

US polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics producer NatureWorks is searching for a new CEO following Erik Ripple’s resignation, effective 30 July 2026.
CFO Roger Kempa (pictured) will serve as interim CEO until a permanent successor is appointed.

Ripple joined NatureWorks in November 2023 and led the company through nearly three years of growth and global expansion. His tenure culminated in the start-up of its new plant in Thailand, inaugurated this year (read article), alongside the company’s original facility in Blair, Nebraska.

Roger Kempa has served as NatureWorks’ Chief Financial Officer since September 2023. As interim CEO, he will work closely with the company’s leadership team and Board of Directors to ensure continuity during the search for a permanent CEO.

NatureWorks is a 50:50 joint venture between PTT Global Chemical (GC), a Thailand-based chemicals company, and Cargill, a US supplier of food, ingredients, and agricultural and industrial products. Its plant in Blair, Nebraska, has a nameplate capacity of 150,000 tonnes/year. Combined with the approximately 75,000 tonnes/year produced at the Thai site, this gives the company a total nameplate PLA capacity of around 225,000 tonnes/year.

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