Roparz Kervennal

Polymers Product & Business Development Manager | Polymers & Elastomers | Industrialization | Business Strategy | Sustainability

Le Havre, Normandy, France

About

Product & Business Development Leader in Polyolefins & Elastomers, with 20+ years of experience across sales & market development, polymer science, customer technical support, and industrialization. Expert in leading cross-functional teams, solving complex technical challenges, and delivering robust market-ready polymer solutions at scale. Strong background at the interface of R&D, manufacturing, quality, and business, with a global and inclusive leadership style.

Experience

  • BioFuels Sustainability & Certification Coordinator at North Atlantic France
    Dec 2025 - Present · 8 mos

  • ExxonMobil (Permanent · 17 yrs 8 mos)
    • EU Plastic Waste Feedstock Sourcing Manager
      Feb 2025 - Nov 2025 · 10 mos

      Drove secure and scalable sourcing of plastic waste feedstocks to enable the launch of the first chemical recycling units in Europe: • Built and led a supplier sourcing strategy delivering >80kt/year of plastic waste feedstock • Negotiated commercial contracts and coordinated legal and operational stakeholders • Executed startup plan through cross-functional coordination and disciplined execution

    • Polypropylene Products & Market Development Manager
      Oct 2019 - Jan 2025 · 5 yrs 4 mos

      Head of the European Polypropylene Compounds Development Center + Market Development Manager for Renault SA : • Led the product development team (12 FTE, Product Development Engineers + Lab Technicians), maintained IATF certification • Drove new product qualifications, grades and colors, at Renault and Tier-Ones • Read the market trends and defined the 5yrs product development roadmap • Identify new program opportunities and ensure nominations on new projects at customers

    • Product Support Advisor for Joint-Ventures in Saudi Arabia
      Dec 2016 - Oct 2019 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Polymers product expert interface between stakeholders and the JV sites in Saudi-Arabia: • Cross-functional leader acting as the key interface between corporate stakeholders and joint-venture manufacturing sites in Saudi Arabia • Led and coordinated multi-site technical troubleshooting teams, resolving complex production issues on polyolefins and elastomer products • Played a key leadership role in the successful startup of the first Saudi elastomers plant

  • Process Development - Solid State Battery at Blue Solutions (Bolloré)
    Jan 2007 - Apr 2008 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Development of the film used in the first Solid State Battery (Lithium/Metal/Polymers): • Contributed to breakthrough innovations including solid-state battery materials • Lead of the pilot extrusion process for the cathode film (e.g., introduction of PVDF in the seperator film, Ter-Polymers, ...) • Force of proposition for new polymers to improve efficiency of the battery

  • Production Manager at Stelpa - affiliate of Walker Bay Boats
    Sep 2005 - Sep 2006 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Launched and monitored production of the first thermoplastic inflatable boat worldwide: • Identified & qualified Polymers & Elastomers raw materials for each part, • Ensured & monitored the production of parts at 3rd party molders in Italy.

  • Arkema (Serquigny, Normandie, France)
    • Polyamide Market Developer in the Transportation Market
      Feb 2003 - Jun 2005 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Identify new opportunities for Polyamide market growth in the Transportation applications in EMEAF: • Supported development of new applications for the automotive & truck industry • Secured patenting of a multi-layer PA film structure based (patent #EP1765590B1)

    • Modeling & Simulation Specialist - PP Automotive
      Sep 1997 - Feb 2003 · 5 yrs 6 mos

      Demonstrate value in use of Polypropylene grades by Finite Element Mesh analysis to support the Automotive market growth in Europe: • Injection Molding simulation (C-mold, Moldflow) • Mechanical simulation (Ansys, Pamcrash, Ideas…)