Chairman & Interim CEO Reverdia - JV between Roquette and DSM - 2015-2019

A 50/50 JV formed to develop and commercialize bio-succinic acid (bSA), a renewable intermediate chemical for the plastics/packaging industry. When I joined this was a classical technologically driven start-up. I guided the board and the management team and ultimately took over the interim CEO role.

Over the 4 year journey - successfully scaled up and demonstrated state-of-the-art yeasts to produce high purity bio-succinic acid (bSA) at commercial scale. Organized the team to drive the market for bSA. In 2019 convinced Roquette (JV partner) to buy out DSM’s share, releasing DSM to focus on broader market expansion through licensing. Negotiated the separation with Roquette over the Christmas holidays (in 6 weeks). The first commercial license was subsequently realized by DSM in 2020 and Roquette continues to operate profitably.