NatureWorks LLC is the first commercially viable producer of a truly sustainable resource based plastic – NatureWorks® polymer. Made from 100% plant resources, not oil, NatureWorks polymer is being adopted quickly around the globe for use in food packaging, food serviceware, films and fibers under both the NatureWorks and Ingeo™ brand names. But commercialization has not been without it’s challenges. Mary Rosenthal will present what has been required regarding supply chain education – including “Smart Care,” stakeholder engagement and issues management in order to bring this new material to market both here in North America and globally.

Mary Rosenthal is Global Communications Leader for NatureWorks LLC, a renewable resource based polymer company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cargill, Inc. In her role, Rosenthal leads marketing and corporate communications for the packaging, fibers and emerging application business segments.

With more than 20 years of experience in the food industry, Rosenthal has held various positions in sales, marketing, public relations and business development. In 1999, Rosenthal took the role of President of Morgan&Myers, Minneapolis. Following this, she was lead public relations counsel with Fleishman-Hillard, primarily with Hormel Foods. Rosenthal was a founding member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum, a member of the Corporation for the Culinary Institute of America, on the public relations committee for the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and is currently on the public relations committee for International BIO. Rosenthal received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.

Special thanks to Elanco Animal Health for sponsoring this session.