OMYA: Sustainable, high-performance materials

INTEGRATION is the strategic approach that Omya Performance Polymers Distribution (OPPD) emphasized at K 2025, where it introduced a range of sustainable, high-performance materials as well as a global leadership team.

Showcasing performance polymers, circularity, decarbonization and lightweighting, OPPD is intent on helping customers accelerate transition to a circular economy. To meet these evolving needs, the company highlighted a harmonized portfolio of sustainable materials that include: pre-consumer recycled grades, such as Omyaloop FC for general purpose applications and Omya Smartfill 55-AV for engineering materials and biopolymers, verified by Bureau Veritas and produced using green electricity. These grades reduce emissions by up to two-thirds and support compliance with EU sustainability directives; hollow glass microspheres – the Omyasphere 900 series – are lightweight fillers that support dimensional stability and are suitable for advanced polymer and construction applications in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries. They offer improved flow, higher filler loading, and enhanced thermal and dielectric performance; and solutions that offer performance and sustainability for the hygiene market, which include the new Omyafilm  solutions for the production of thinner films without compromising process stability or product quality and Omyafiber for reduced material costs and lower environmental impact, but also technical benefits for the nonwovens, textiles and carpets industries.

Carsten Harms, CEO of OPPD, introduced a global leadership team to enhance the company's ability to serve a dynamic global market with a comprehensive range of high-performance polymers. “Following the acquisition of Distrupol earlier this year, we’ve unified multiple regional distribution platforms, including Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas, into a single global entity focused exclusively on polymer distribution,”  he said.  Among the newly appointed leaders is Ramli Chan, President of Asia Pacific, who brings more than two decades of experience in polymer distribution across the region. “Ramli is actively expanding our footprint in Asia Pacific, building out a strong local team and deepening relationships with key principals to deliver tailored solutions to customers,” Mr. Harms said.

“Our tailored partnership model combines agile sales and technical support with long-term stability – backed by Omya’s private ownership and global infrastructure. With local market expertise in every region, including Ramli’s leadership in APAC, we’re uniquely positioned to support customers through industry shifts, consolidation, and evolving market demands,” Mr. Harms said.

Mr. Carsten Harms, CEO, Omya Performance Polymer Distribution (left); Mr. Ramli Chan, President of Asia Pacific, OPPD (right) 

Unifying multiple regional distribution platforms, including Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas, into a single global entity focused exclusively on polymer distribution signals a transformative approach for OPPD. At a time when others are divesting, OPPD is investing – organically and through acquisition – with strategic focus on innovation, sustainability, and value creation through this distribution partnership model. OPPD’s matrix structure facilitates global portfolio development alongside local market development.  By integrating multiple regional polymer distributors, manufacturers will be able to outsource costs and to create mutual, sustainable value.

This commitment combines anti-cyclic investment with organic growth ambitions across the globe, and underscores its position as the only global distribution business that offers: long-term stability provided by private ownership; an existing global infrastructure to enable rapid establishment of new regional services; a global network of technology and innovation centers with technical expertise and equipment to enable application development, process optimisation, and tooling design; and local expertise from local people in every region.

- This interview is also included in the International Plastics News for Asia December 2025 issue under the K 2025 Show Review