MISSOULA, MT--(Marketwire - 06/28/10) - Rivertop Renewables (www.rivertop.com), a Montana-based renewable chemicals company, today announced James (Jim) Stoppert as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Stoppert has more than 35 years executive experience in chemical and bio-based industries with a proven track record of developing, building, and leading global businesses, including most recently as CEO of NatureWorks and Segetis, two leading renewable chemical companies.
Rivertop has developed a breakthrough technology to produce non-toxic, biodegradable chemicals in a scalable and cost-effective manner. The company’s first product is glucaric acid, which has been recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE) as one of the top 12 “building block chemicals” that can be converted to a number of high-value, bio-based chemicals or materials. Stoppert’s deep experience in the chemical industry will be a critical advantage for the company as it moves to commercialize renewable chemicals and bio-based products.
Immediately prior to joining Rivertop, Stoppert served as President and CEO at Segetis, a renewable chemical company. From 2001-2008, Stoppert was the Senior Business Director for Cargill’s Industrial BioProducts Business, which incubated renewable chemical companies, including standalone businesses Elevance and BiOH. Prior to his time at Cargill, he was co-founder and the first CEO of Cargill Dow LLC, the joint venture later known as NatureWorks, which pioneered the use of renewable sources to create biopolymers used in a range of consumer products. These positions followed more than 25 years at Dow Chemical, where Stoppert directed several major plastics platforms as well as managing environmental issues. From 2000-2009, Stoppert served on the Board of Directors for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and from 2003-2008 he was an advisory board member for the Pacific Northwest National Lab. Three of the businesses Stoppert led have been awarded the coveted Presidential Green Chemistry Award.
“Now more than ever, consumers are acutely aware of, and concerned about, the health effects of the chemicals that are in the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the homes in which we live,” said Stoppert. “Increasingly, they are choosing products that are more sustainable than the alternatives that are available from conventional sources. Our renewable chemical platform will enable companies to deliver such products without increasing the cost or complexity of the manufacturing process.”
Rivertop plans to use its biodegradable and non-toxic glucaric acid initially in products such as detergents as a phosphate replacement, corrosion inhibitors to protect infrastructure, as well as concrete admixtures which strengthen concrete, reducing consumption of this energy-intensive industrial mainstay.
“Jim’s arrival is a real shot in the arm for Rivertop,” said Dr. Don Kiely, Founder and Chairman of Rivertop. “With his background, his proven success in the green chemistry space, and his passion and vision, we’ll be able to accelerate the commercialization of our renewable chemical technology.”
About Rivertop Renewables Based in Missoula, Montana, Rivertop Renewables is innovating a new category of science -- Progressive Chemistry. Merging proven science with renewable resources, Rivertop Renewables is creating an abundant and economical supply of sustainable, biodegradable and non-toxic chemicals and bioproducts derived from renewable plant sugars. In 2009, Rivertop was a national semifinalist in the Cleantech Open (www.CleantechOpen.com), the nation’s premier business plan competition for clean tech startups. More information is available at www.rivertop.com.
CONTACT: Jaime Quick Scoville PR for Rivertop (206) 625-0075 james.quick@scovillepr.com
