AVON LAKE, Ohio—Specialty polymer company PolyOne Corp. announced it has named Walter Ripple as vice president of sustainability, a new position, in a move that coincides with the company joining the Alliance to End Plastic Waste as a founding member.
Ripple "is responsible for leading initiatives that help customers and PolyOne achieve sustainability and performance goals," PolyOne said in a news release, adding that he "will play a crucial role ensuring these efforts are aligned with the dynamic changes in the industry, emerging innovation and the shared responsibility of taking care of the planet."
Last year, PolyOne said in the release, it "refined and deepened its commitment to sustainability within the focus areas of People, Products, Planet and Performance." The company's investments and engagement in these areas "will accelerate" under Ripple's direction.
Ripple "has a broad understanding of our specialty technologies and their value-generating applications. He also has forged deep, trusting and collaborative relationships with our many stakeholders," said Robert M. Patterson, chairman, president and CEO of PolyOne, in a statement. "He is uniquely qualified for this important role, which will further accelerate our sustainability efforts."
Patterson added that joining the Alliance to end Plastic Waste "will be instrumental in bringing collective action and scale to help eliminate plastic waste from the environment."
Ripple, an industry veteran of 27 years, joined PolyOne in 2008 through the acquisition of GLS. He most recently was vice president and general manager of specialty engineered materials. Prior to PolyOne, he worked in several strategy, commercial and general management positions at Shell Chemical Co.
PolyOne in 2017 posted revenues of $3.2 billion.