South-Korea based PHA manufacturer CJ Biomaterial has appointed Leah Ford as Director of Marketing.
Before joining CJ Biomaterials, Ford was global marketing and communications director at US-based NatureWorks, where she spent almost 20 years.
In her new role, Ford will lead strategic marketing for CJ Biomaterials to increase awareness and help drive growth in the company’s biodegradable biopolymers business.
“Working as a partner with CJ Biomaterials over the past two years during my time at NatureWorks, I was impressed by the organisation and the impact that PHA technology could have on the environment,” Ford said. “I look forward to the opportunity to educate the industry and consumers about the benefits of PHA, how it can help address critical environmental challenges, and help to drive meaningful change as the world shifts toward more sustainable, biodegradable solutions,” she added.
CJ Biomaterials entered the biopolymers market in the spring of 2022 with its PHACT brand, a portfolio of amorphous PHA grades. Polyhydroxyalkanoates are linear polyesters produced in living cells in nature through bacterial fermentation of sugars or lipids. The raw materials for PHACT are sugars sourced from plants like sugar cane, tapioca, corn and cellulosic biomass. CJ BIO can increase PHA content in microorganisms from about 5% default accumulation up to 85% through fermentation via engineered microbial strains.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Leah’s impressive background in biopolymer technology join our team during such an important phase of growth for our company,” said Max Senechal, Chief Commercial Officer at CJ Biomaterials. “Her extensive experience in marketing and communications within the biomaterials industry will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach and drive the adoption of PHA-based sustainable solutions around the world. She will play a key role in elevating our brand and strengthening our position as an innovator in the biopolymers market.”