New talents to strengthen Sulapac team

Last year we took giant steps on our mission to save the world from plastic waste. We partnered with Quadback to provide microplastic-free packaging for cosmetic customers worldwide, raised €15 million to engine our scale-up and internationalization, and brought a microplastic-free and renewable straw to the market together with Stora Enso.  In the face of new opportunities, we are happy to strengthen our team with new members who are passionate about changing the game with a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic.

Maija Pohjakallio, Sustainability Director

Maija Pohjakallio D.Sc. (Tech) became familiar with Sulapac already while working with her previous employer, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

“The collaboration with Sulapac was inspiring. I was very impressed by the ambitious goals of the team and could relate to their values. It is a real pleasure to be working with great people who are passionate about reducing plastic waste and microplastic pollution by creating a truly innovative material alternative.”

Maija has a doctorate degree in physical chemistry and electrochemistry, and background in teaching. Previously she has worked on bio- and circular economy at VTT and Chemical Industry Federation of Finland. As Sustainability Director at Sulapac, Maija uses her connections and vast experience to promote sustainability both inside and outside the company and to build bridges between different stakeholders in order to further the agenda of circular economy and the adoption of new sustainable materials. Maija sees the potential of Sulapac in several applications.

“I would like to see container boxes and colorful interior design items made from Sulapac. Besides disposable items, the material is also suitable for reusable products.”

 

Ami Rubinstein, Head of Sales

Ami Rubinstein joined Sulapac for two reasons: He wanted to be part of the strong mission and help build “another Finnish startup success story”.

Ami has worked in international management and business development with both large public companies and startups, including Outokumpu and Optomeditech, for the past 20 years.

“The ability to strategically develop business processes and committed leadership are the most important factors I bring to the Sulapac team”, Ami says.

He would like to see Sulapac replacing plastic in products we use everyday, such as cutlery and toothbrushes. During his free time, Ami is a passionate ice hockey fan.

 

Erno Syvälahti, Sales Director

When Erno Syvälahti became a father, he started thinking about the kind of future he wants for his kids. In the face of global environmental challenges, becoming a part of a team that is combating the plastic waste problem seemed like the most desirable alternative for taking action.

 “People have been able to solve enormous problems before, so with work and dedication, I think it is possible with the plastic waste issue too”.

Erno has previously worked in HappyOrNot, where he has an excellent track record in scaling sales from a small startup to a global player. As Sales Director at Sulapac, Erno is responsible for material licensing sales and some of the biggest straw client accounts. Through his position, Erno is eager to get more disposable products converted into microplastic-free items made from Sulapac.

 

Would you like to join our mission to save the world from plastic waste? Send your open application to recruitment@sulapac.com.

 

Sulapac Ltd

Sulapac® is a wood-based material innovation inspired by Nordic nature. It is a lot like plastic, yet it biodegrades fully leaving no microplastics behind. As a premium material that is safe and circular by design, Sulapac is ideal for quality driven brands with genuine commitment to sustainability. Plastic product manufacturers can use Sulapac® with their existing machinery, making sustainability an easy choice. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Helsinki, Finland. Sulapac has been ranked one of the 100 hottest startups in Europe by WIRED UK both in 2018 and 2019. Join our mission to save the world from plastic waste! sulapac.com