Avantium, the Amsterdam-based technology company and PEF producer, announced today that it has appointed Oskar Slotboom as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Oskar will be responsible for the commercialization and partnering of Avantium's YXY technology and new development programs.

YXY is the brand name for Avantium's cost competitive technology platform to catalytically convert plant-based materials into biobased chemicals and bioplastics like PEF. PEF is a novel 100% biobased polyester with enhanced barrier, thermal and mechanical properties over existing packaging materials.

Avantium has partnered with The Coca-Cola Company, Danone, ALPLA and Swire Pacific, on the development of its PEF packaging material. The technology has been proven at pilot plant scale and, says the company, is now close to commercial deployment.

The appointment of the new Chief Commercial Officer comes at a crucial moment for the company, or, as CEO Tom van Aken, phrased it, "a critical time, where the company is transitioning to the commercialization phase of its YXY technology."

"He has a proven track record at developing and managing commercial partnerships, structuring commercial deals, and pursuing go-to-market strategies in an entrepreneurial environment. We look forward to his contribution to the successful growth of Avantium," added van Aken.

Oskar previously held positions in McKinsey & Company as a management consultant and later on business development and commercial management in Crucell, before it was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. After the acquisition, Oskar headed the Vaccines & Infectious Diseases business at Johnson & Johnson's pharma joint venture Xian Janssen in Beijing, China. Oskar Slotboom has an MSc degree in Chemical Engineering of the University of Twente and holds a MBA from INSEAD.