Tesla exec leaves to help Polymateria combat plastic crisis
Rubbish floating in Naifaru Harbour, Maldives, Indian Ocean.
Rosemary Calvert | Getty Images
LONDON — A Tesla executive has left the electric car company and joined a London start-up that’s aiming to address the world’s plastic problem with a new chemical additive.
Steven Altmann-Richer, who led public policy for U.K., Ireland and new markets at Tesla, joined London start-up Polymateria in the last few weeks as head of public affairs and regulatory strategy, after spending three-and-a-half years at the U.S. car company.
Polymateria, which has around 25 staff based out of Imperial College’s start-up incubator, has developed a “biotransformation technology” that breaks down plastic into a wax-like substance that then gets digested by microbes. It has also created a new British standard for biodegradable plastic.
“I want to help policymakers understand that this is a truly revolutionary solution which can improve the environment in their country and globally,” said Altmann-Richer,