NATURAL materials pioneer Xampla has appointed Dr Francys Fernandez Zavarce as specialty chemical business development manager.
The move is designed to support the continued scale-up of the commercialisation of the company’s biodegradable Morro materials. The team has grown by more than 25% in the last year.
Dr Zavarce brings more than 20 years’ combined experience in chemical science and business development, at companies including Adqot and Procter & Gamble, where she was responsible for developing commercialisation strategies, and new product developments.
In her new role, Dr Zavarce will spearhead the entry of Morro materials into market as replacements for the ‘most polluting plastics’. She will focus primarily on accelerating the commercialisation of Morro Coating.
Made from plants, Morro Coating replaces ‘forever chemicals’ and plastic coatings traditionally used on paper and cardboard packaging. The plant-based material is described as fully biodegradable, home compostable and safe for food contact.
Xampla recently completed a successful funding round securing $7m of investment. Last month the company was awarded the Innovate UK Smart Grant, in partnership with 2M Group of Companies. This will see the scale-up of production of Morro materials to multiple tonnes per day at 2M’s Milton Keynes manufacturing site.
Alexandra French, CEO at Xampla, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr Francys Zavarce to our team as we continue to expand our team of experts year on year. Francys brings the strategic vision Xampla needs to innovate and scale-up our revolutionary natural materials in order to successfully penetrate the market and drive our R&D initiatives forward.”
Dr Francys Fernandez Zavarce added, “I’m honoured to join this thriving organisation, and to have the opportunity to drive the commercial growth of Xampla’s remarkable innovations. The global plastic pollution crisis is an urgent problem that fuels my passion for advancing new-age solutions. I look forward to collaborating with Xampla’s talented team of experts to achieve new heights and solidify our position as industry leaders in the plastic replacement space.”
