NatureWorks expands in Asia

NatureWorks has opened its first Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Bangkok and expanded its team of senior commercial, managerial and technical personnel to enhance support of Ingeo biopolymers and fibres.

“In many parts of Asia, most notably China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan – as in North America and Europe – Ingeo is already helping brand owners lower the carbon footprint of their plastic and fibre products, while giving these same companies significantly improved material price stability,” said Marc Verbruggen, president and CEO of NatureWorks. “The opening of our first Asian headquarters is an important move as we add support for current customers and introduce Ingeo to many more.”
Rich Weber will serve as the new Asia Pacific commercial director, and Viboon Pungprasert is the new general manager.

Weber will lead existing Ingeo market development work throughout the region and is also responsible for establishing and managing new distribution relationships. He joins NatureWorks from Cargill’s Strategy & Business Development Group,
Pungprasert will manage the NatureWorks business from Bangkok.

“By establishing a physical footprint in Thailand, NatureWorks will be better able to support the growth of its existing customers in northern Asia and develop new business in Southeast Asia,” he said.