Plastic recycler Samsara Eco appoints ex-BASF exec as first General Manager of Asia

Following the launch of its new factory and headquarters at Jerrabomberra, NSW earlier this month, enzymatic plastic recycling company Samsara Eco has announced its first General Manager of Asia.

In a statement on Thursday, Samsara said the new appointee, Dr Lars Kissau, will be based in Singapore and lead the company's expansion into Asia. 

Kissau (pictured left) joins following 22 years at BASF, where according to his Linkedin profile he most recently served as President of their Net Zero Accelerator, Senior Vice President Corporate Strategy & Sustainability, and Senior Vice President Corporate Strategy & Sustainability.

“Lars brings unmatched expertise to help us scale rapidly, and places us at the centre of the plastics supply chain. We're transforming century-old economic models. Having the best team with deep expertise like Lars, will help us rapidly accelerate our path to commercialisation,” said Samsara Eco founder and CEO Paul Riley (pictured right.)

“We're rapidly scaling to meet market demand for low carbon, circular materials. We've just opened our first plant in regional Australia and have our eyes firmly set on our first nylon 6,6 plant in Asia.”

The company is aiming to open its first commercial nylon 6,6 facility in 2028. The 20,000-tonne plant is being designed with engineering partner KBR. 

Samsara is commercialising a process using engineered enzymes to turn end-of-life polymers into “virgin-identical, low-carbon circular materials”. 

Samsara was launched in 2021 as a partnership between Main Sequence and Australian National University.  

Picture: Kissau and Riley (supplied)

Further reading

Enzymatic plastic recycler Samsara Eco opens new Jerrabomberra plant

Deakin, Samsara Eco collaboration aims to up speed, scale and precision for plastic and textile recycling

Samsara Eco, lululemon announce ten-year offtake agreement on recycled nylon, polyester

Samsara Eco develops enzymes to recycle nylon

Samsara appoints scientific advisory board