James Barber
Chemical Department
Nanocomp Technologies, Inc.
United States of America
Biography
Dr. James Barber is the former President and CEO of Metabolix, Inc., a bioscience company that delivers sustainable solutions to the plastics and chemicals industries. Dr. Barber served as President and CEO from January 2000 until May 2007. During his tenure, he led the transformation of Metabolix from a research boutique to a world renowned, highly regarded leader in “clean-tech” and industrial biotechnology, building the company into a multi-disciplinary, industry leading, publicly traded enterprise with a market cap of over $500 million Prior to joining Metabolix, he served as global business director for the organometallics and catalysts business of Albemarle Corporation, with global P&L responsibility for that $100+ million business, and as Representative Director of Nippon Aluminum Alkyls, a joint venture company between Albemarle and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. During his tenure with Albemarle, he led the development and implementation of strategies that resulted in the strong growth of Albemarle’s polymer catalyst business, including its emerging single-site/metallocene catalyst business. Dr. Barber serves on the Advancement Council of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron, as chairman of the board of Allylix, and as a director of Graham Corporation, Agrivida, and Segetis.
Research Interest
Polymer Engineering
