Anthesis Group makes a strategic addition to its global sustainable chemistry team with the appointment of noted expert James Ewell.
As Associate Director of Sustainable Chemistry–North America, James will work with manufacturers, brands and suppliers to make continuous improvements in the areas of selection of materials and implementation of responsible chemicals management practices.
As part of the global Sustainable Chemistry team, led by UK-based Paul Ashford, James will help clients to gain transparency on the chemicals used in their supply chains, identify chemicals of concern and optimize product composition for human and environmental health. He will further support brands and their suppliers to collect, assess and communicate important information about the substances they use.
Prior to joining Anthesis Group, James was the Senior Director of GreenBlue’s Sustainable Materials program, responsible for managing the development and practical implementation of its sustainable materials management framework. James had oversight for all of GreenBlue’s tools, particularly CleanGredients and the development of Material IQ.
“James has operated at the forefront of the sustainable chemistry agenda for the past 15 years and we are delighted to welcome someone of his caliber and reputation to Anthesis.”
James was part of the core team that authored the Chemical Management Module for the Outdoor Industry Association, which was integrated into the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Higg Index.
James also spent 13 years at McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), where he developed and implemented criteria for designing and manufacturing sustainable products, and improving corporate practices aligned with the Cradle to Cradle Design framework. He helped to establish the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute which assumed responsibility for MBDC’s C2C certification program.
During his career James has supported renown corporate clients including Herman Miller, Ford Motor Co., Proctor & Gamble, Seventh Generation, Shaw Industries, Victor Group, Energizer and Replenish, and other companies from a diversity of industrial sectors.
On his appointment, James says “I’m very excited to be joining a company of people with such a diverse and comprehensive set of capabilities and expertise. Though my direct purview will be to help our clients manage chemicals more effectively in their products and supply chains, it is reassuring to know that I can draw on the deep knowledge and experience of my Anthesis colleagues to meet almost any sustainability need my clients may have.”
On James’ appointment, Chris Jones, Anthesis Group President, North America and Asia-Pacific says “James has operated at the forefront of the sustainable chemistry agenda for the past 15 years and we are delighted to welcome someone of his caliber and reputation to Anthesis. We are seeing growing pressure on companies to better understand and manage the chemicals used in their products and supply chains. James’s appointment significantly strengthens our capabilities to help customers address the myriad of market & regulatory drivers now promoting the sustainable use of chemicals.
