NatureWorks Announces Departure of President and CEO Erik Ripple

CFO Roger Kempa Named Interim CEO; Board Begins Search for Permanent Successor

PLYMOUTH, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NatureWorks, a global leader in polylactic acid (PLA) and biobased materials, today announced that President and CEO Erik Ripple has resigned from the company, effective July 30, to pursue other interests.

Ripple joined NatureWorks in November 2023 and has led the company through an important period of growth and global expansion. During his tenure, he played an essential role in the construction, commissioning, and startup of NatureWorks' new 75KTA Ingeo™ manufacturing facility in Thailand, positioning the company to better serve customers around the world.

Under Ripple’s leadership, NatureWorks expanded its global manufacturing footprint to two production facilities, strengthening its ability to provide innovative biobased materials to customers across multiple geographies. His focus on operational excellence and disciplined execution has positioned the company for continued growth as global demand for sustainable, low carbon, and biobased materials and products continues to increase.

The NatureWorks Board of Directors has initiated a search for the company's next Chief Executive Officer. During this transition, Roger Kempa, Chief Financial Officer, will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Kempa has served as NatureWorks' Chief Financial Officer since September 2023 and has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and financial strength during a period of significant investment and expansion. As Interim CEO, he will work closely with the NatureWorks leadership team and Board of Directors to ensure continuity while the search for a permanent CEO is conducted.

Reflecting on his time with the company, Ripple said, "Working alongside the talented team at NatureWorks has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Together, we have achieved significant milestones, including the successful startup of our Thailand manufacturing facility and strengthening our ability to serve customers around the world. I have every confidence that Roger and the leadership team will continue to build on this momentum, and I look forward to watching NatureWorks continue its leadership in biobased materials."

"The NatureWorks Board is grateful for Erik's leadership and his unwavering commitment to serving our customers and advancing NatureWorks' mission," said Colleen May, Chair of the NatureWorks Board of Directors. "His leadership has helped position the company for long-term success with a stronger global manufacturing footprint and a solid foundation for future growth. We thank Erik for his many contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

NatureWorks remains committed to its mission of creating innovative, high-performance biobased materials that enable a more sustainable future. With manufacturing facilities in the United States and Thailand, the company is well positioned to reliably serve customers around the world.

For more information about NatureWorks and Ingeo, visit natureworksllc.com or follow the company on LinkedIn for the latest updates.

About NatureWorks

NatureWorks is an advanced materials company offering a broad portfolio of renewably sourced polymers and chemicals. With performance and economics that compete with oil-based materials, naturally advanced Ingeo™ biomaterials are valued for their unique functional properties and used in applications from coffee capsules and hygiene products to food packaging and 3D printing filament. NatureWorks is jointly owned by Thailand’s largest ASEAN leading integrated petrochemical and refining company, GC, and Cargill, which provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world.

Ingeo and the Ingeo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NatureWorks LLC in the USA and other countries.