New appointments at Total Corbion

Total Corbion PLA announced its new executive leadership team: Thomas Philipon, CEO and Chiel Rietvelt, CFO. The appointments mark a significant next step in the company’s growth and, together with the earlier announcement of the planned PLA production plant in Europe1, demonstrate the company’s commitment to driving the growth of the bioplastics industry.

Mr. Thomas Philipon, CEO, Total Corbion PLA

Thomas Philipon began as CEO of Total Corbion PLA on October 1, 2020. Thomas brings with him extensive experience in the plastics industry, having worked at DuPont for over 15 years. He is looking forward to leading Total Corbion PLA through the next stage of growth: “Announcing a second plant within two years after starting up the first one is a clear sign of Total Corbion PLA’s ambition and commitment to continue supporting the growth of the bioplastics market. I’m very much looking forward to contributing towards the next chapter in our company’s story.”

Mr. Chiel Rietvelt, CFO, Total Corbion PLA

Chiel Rietvelt became CFO of Total Corbion PLA in April 2020. Chiel has decades of experience in a range of industries and is enthusiastic about this latest challenge: “The bioplastics industry as a whole is growing at an incredible rate, and to support the company in extending its geographically diversified production capacity is an exciting journey. “ 

In September this year, Total Corbion PLA, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and Corbion, announced its intention to build its second PLA plant with a capacity ramping up to 100,000 tonnes per annum. This expansion would make Total Corbion PLA the global market leader in PLA, firmly positioned to cater for the rapidly growing demand for Luminy® PLA resins. The new plant is planned to be located on a Total site in Grandpuits, France and to be operational in 2024.