MOVES: US Rivertop adds VP, plans higher glucaric acid volumes

16 February 2011 18:34  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN DIEGO, California (ICIS)--Rivertop Renewables named Steve Donen as vice president of process development and engineering, the US renewable chemicals producer said on Wednesday.

Donen’s initial focus will be on moving Rivertop’s first commercial product, glucaric acid, from lab into higher volume productions, the company said on the sidelines of the Next Generation Bio-Based Chemicals Summit in San Diego.

The company initially plans to use its glucaric acid as a cost-competitive replacement for phosphates and citrates in the global detergent market, it said.

Donen recently served as director of process development and engineering at Segetis, another bio-based industrial materials firm.

Previously, he worked as director of manufacturing technology and engineering with NatureWorks and as global technology manager for Dow Chemical’s polystyrene (PS) business in Midland, Michigan.

Donen worked with Rivertop CEO Jim Stoppert at all three companies.

“Steve’s expertise will allow us to effectively scale our green chemistry platform, while maintaining the cost efficiencies and product performance we’ve proven in our lab,” said Stoppert.

Donen, meanwhile, said he recognised Montana-based Rivertop as having a “quick pathway to commercialisation and market success”.

The Bio-Based Chemicals Summit runs through Thursday.

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By: Ben DuBose
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