Ex-Procter & Gamble exec helps steer Xampla’s Morro scale-up

Dr Francys Fernandez Zavarce, also a specialist in business development, previously worked at Procter & Gamble, among other major players. Dr Zavarce joins as Specialty Chemical Business Development Manager to oversee the scale-up of Morro biodegradable materials across FMCG markets.

She will spearhead the entry of Morro materials into market as replacements for the most polluting plastics and 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 material is fully biodegradable, home compostable and safe for food contact.

Dr Zavarce will engage key stakeholders across industries as well as collaborating with technical and product development teams, to advance R & D and commercial goals of the application.

Xampla recently completed a $7m funding round to advance its plastic elimination mission. And last month the company was awarded the Innovate UK Smart Grant, in partnership with 2M Group of Companies. As previously reported, this will see the scale-up of production of Morro materials to multiple tonnes per day at 2M’s Milton Keynes manufacturing site.

Dr Zavarce said: “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.”