Francesca Reverberi, Trinseo LLC | Notable Leaders in Sustainability 2023

Francesca Reverberi always enjoyed nature-based activities and knew she wanted to pursue an education that would help her make a difference for the environment.

Reverberi earned a master's degree in chemical engineering from Politecnico di Milano, another master's in chemical engineering focused on refinery plants from MIP Politecnico di Milano, and an MBA from SDA Bocconi.

Her first role in the industry, commercial manager of hydrocarbons and energy at Dow Chemical, solidified her desire to work in sustainability as she learned "the ins and outs of plastics manufacturing," she said.

"As the mother of two teenage daughters, I want to leave them a world that does not face the environmental challenges that we encounter today," Reverberi said. "Developing and implementing a plan to make plastics more sustainable is a key component."

Reverberi moved up the ranks at Trinseo LLC, starting as the latex product director for Europe and the Americas in 2010. She also worked as global business director of synthetic rubber and senior global business director of base plastics before taking her role as vice president of engineered materials and synthetic rubber in 2020.

Today, as senior vice president of engineered materials and chief sustainability officer at Trinseo, her desire to make plastics better for the environment drives her professional goals.

"It is also one of the core reasons I volunteered as chair of the Plastics Europe strategic council for sustainable use of plastics as well as a steering board member," Reverberi said.

"At Trinseo, sustainability is built into our business model and a part of our core culture," Reverberi said. "In recent years, I have been proud to lead advancements … playing a role in the development of our sustainable product goals and the strategic partnerships we have established in pursuit of circularity."

Trinseo has been "investing in recycling technology through the acquisition of European recycler, Heathland BV," she said, "and reducing our environmental impact through plastic pellet recovery initiatives via Operation Clean Sweep, [and developing] of our decarbonization strategy and product innovations."

"I believe technological advancement is a practical way to provide meaningful ideas and solutions to societal challenges," she added.

Reverberi's philosophy on plastics and sustainability is best summed by a quote by Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan: "The world is not ours to keep. We hold it in trust for future generations."

She said she believes the plastics industry has a "great deal of responsibility" to invest in sustainable infrastructure for circularity and decarbonization.

"Recycling innovation is of the utmost interest to me, and it is critical to Trinseo's sustainability strategy," Reverberi said.

Trinseo is recycling polycarbonate at a new pilot facility in Terneuzen, Netherlands, with plans to scale up as interest grows and feedstock becomes available, Reverberi said.

"These are essential steps for moving the industry forward and scaling up sustainable material manufacturing. … We need to continue to invest in innovation like this, so we can continue to grow with demand."

The company is investing to upscale its PC operations and add polystyrene dissolution and acrylic depolymerization technologies, she added.

"Our next-gen PMMA depolymerization technology will enable Trinseo to achieve up to 99 percent purity for recycled acrylics," Reverberi said. The technology "will be critical to achieving scalability while reducing our carbon emissions."

The company is also involved in research for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene recycling through funding by the European Union's Horizon Europe Programme.

"One teachable moment that has helped shape my career [is] the lack of unity I see around the world when it comes to [sustainability]," Reverberi said. "We need to work hand in hand, across governments, academics and organizations, to make a true difference. Often we struggle to work together. From lacking common language, to setting unrealistic deadlines for implementation, we need to be more unified in our long-term strategy.

"This disjointed approach is … why I sought positions with Plastics Europe and the World Plastics Council," she added. "By taking a seat at the strategic table, I can help guide the way our industry innovates and impact policymaking."

To help connect global sustainability efforts, Reverberi serves as a member of the plastics division operation committee for the American Chemistry Council, a steering board member of Plastics Europe, chair of the Plastics Europe Strategic Council and a sustainable-use-of-plastics steering board member for World Plastics Council.

Reverberi seeks to continue learning from consultants and senior leaders at Trinseo and Dow and her own direct supervisors to "navigate business in the board room," she said.

"They are all mentors who have … inspired me with new perspectives and ideas, and taught me technical skills in managing a business and operations. … The passionate team that I have the privilege to work with every day is also a big driver for me."

By staying connected with her family and with nature, Reverberi is motivated to leave the world better for the future of her two daughters, she said.

"I love spending time in nature, especially when my family can come together for a hike or to go skiing," she said. "My favorite moments are at my mountain home with my daughters, and these memories motivate me. … My daughters remain the biggest impact on my career. … As a mother, I want to not only teach my children better, more sustainable habits, but also leave the world better for their future.

She added: "They have become my motivation for developing sustainable innovation and infrastructure within the plastics industry. I want to leave them a world that is better, where single-use plastics are minimal, and most plastics are part of a circular economy."