Tethis Inc., which has discovered a biodegradable substance to be used in products such as diapers, has named a longtime chemicals and materials executive as its new chief executive officer.
Robin Weitkamp joins Raleigh-based Tethis from Elevance Renewable Sciences, where he was chief operating officer and led manufacturing, engineering, licensing and commercial oversight.
Prior to Elevance, he oversaw the collaborations division at Symyx Technologies, and before that, held various commercial leadership roles within BP and Albemarle Corp.
Tethis raised $17.6 million in funding earlier this year to expand its operations and to open a manufacturing facility in Zebulon, North Carolina.
“Having spent the first half of his career in large, publicly traded chemical companies, Robin understands well the chemicals landscape and the potential customer base for this technology,” said Tethis Executive Chairman Chris Evans in a statement.
Founded in 2013, Tethis has a patented platform for the creation of biopolymers using a common manufacturing process that is high throughput, low cost, and is prevalent domestically and abroad, using simple carbohydrates.
The company began as a spinout of technology founded at North Carolina State University aimed at the water treatment market.
Tethis has patented new ways to transform plant-derived feedstock into performance polymers used in a wide range of applications and industries.
Tethex super-absorbent biopolymers powders, the company’s biodegradable product, are based on a novel patent-pending technology platform with feature, manufacturing, price, and ecological advantages over the existing synthetic materials.
Applications for Tethex SAP powders include diaper cores, feminine hygiene products, processed meat additives and soil stabilization, among others.
Scott Bolin, the former chief executive officer of Tethis, co-founded the company in 2013. Prior to Tethis, Bolin served as a fellow with the Blackstone Entrepreneur Network.
Bolin will remain on the Tethis board of directors.
