Avantium opens branch office in Japan

Represented by industry veteran and Japan expert Jan Waninge, the new office will operate under the name Avantium Japan K.K. Jan Waninge worked for 31 years at DSM in various senior business roles, of which nearly 13 years were spent in Japan.

Avantium has been active in the Japanese market for several years. Avantium Renewable Polymers has a long-term partnership with the Japanese chemical company Toyobo CO., LTD. for PEF polymerization and PEF film. Avantium also collaborates with Mitsui & Co., LTD. for the market development of PEF in high-value applications and the distribution of PEF to high-end Japanese consumer brands. Japan is considered to be the key market for introducing innovative and advanced materials. Now that Avantium is entering the commercialization phase for PEF, establishing an Avantium Japan branch office will help to accommodate the development and marketing of PEF in high-value applications in the innovative Japanese packaging and electronics market.
Next to providing local support for Avantium’s Japanese customers, Avantium Japan K.K. will also serve as the office for regulatory affairs and business development in Japan.

Marcel Lubben, managing director of Avantium Renewable Polymers, commented that “the establishment of Avantium Japan K.K. shows not only our commitment to the Japanese market, but also shows our determination to develop high-value applications for PEF”.

He added: “Japan is a very innovative market, with a highly advanced packaging and electronics market. We have the ambition and expertise to bring PEF successfully to these high-value PEF markets and are very pleased that Jan Waninge will strengthen our team to lead our branch office in Japan.”

http://www.avantium.com