Pioneer Balloon Worldwide forms Natural Latex Supply Chain Partnership with Advanced Sustainable Polymers Pte Ltd
Wichita, 20 June 2022 – Continental American Corporation, d.b.a. Pioneer Balloon Worldwide (“PBW”), North America’s leading balloon manufacturer headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Advanced Sustainable Polymers Pte Ltd (“ASP”) as exclusive Supply Chain Manager for its Natural Rubber Latex (“NRL”) requirements.
Commencing January 1 2023, ASP will be in charge of managing PBW’s NRL supply chain from various origins to PBW’s manufacturing plants in Canada, the United States and Mexico. ASP has also been tasked to accelerate the development of alternative natural sources of NRL in North America, which will allow PBW to reduce its dependency on imported material over time.
Furthermore, ASP will assess the carbon footprint of PBW’s NRL supply chain and provide a pathway to carbon-neutrality by 2030, which will include developing sustainable sources of NRL and recycling of latex balloon waste.
As part of the Supply Chain Partnership, Tom Marsh will join ASP as Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”), in addition to his ongoing PBW role as Managing Director—Global Latex Operations and CTO. In bridging the CTO functions, PBW and ASP aim to enhance the commercial resilience of PBW’s NRL supply chain in-step with delivering on the carbon-neutrality agenda.
Effective July 1, 2022, Robert Meyer, CEO of ASP, has also been appointed as Senior Strategic Advisor to the Board of Directors of PBW.
Ted A. Vlamis, President and CEO of PBW offered the following thoughts: “Pioneer Balloon is a leader in many fields: specifically, we are North America’s pre-eminent producer of celebration goods, and we are at the forefront of producing dipped goods made from Natural Rubber Latex. With over a century of successful operating history and our continuing commitment to be the innovator and leader of the celebrations industry, we recognise the need to future-proof our Natural Rubber Latex supply chain. We have tasked ASP to de-risk and de-carbonise this essential component of our business.”
Robert Meyer added: “Pioneer Balloon, renowned for its premier brand Qualatex®, is an American icon. I am delighted that ASP has been given the opportunity to provide Pioneer with the tools to actively diversify its Natural Rubber Latex procurement towards cost-competitive, carbon-neutral and sustainable sources. Additionally, we will develop a pathway for Pioneer to recycle its latex waste and be able to offer latex balloon recycling to all its customers. Furthermore, I look forward to working with Pioneer’s leadership team as they initiate the next growth phase for PBW. ”
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About Pioneer Balloon Worldwide
Since its founding in 1917, Pioneer® Balloon Worldwide has grown into an international company leading the celebrations industry with a passion for sharing the magic and wonder of balloons.
From Pioneer's five manufacturing facilities across three countries in North America, the company supplies party balloons to five affiliate locations (in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Brazil) and other customers worldwide. Qualatex®, Pioneer's flagship brand, is known as "The Very Best Balloons™" and includes an extensive selection of latex, foil, and exclusive Bubble balloons, for the decor, entertaining and retail markets.
About ASP
ASP is a Singapore-domiciled platform business dedicated to originating and merchandising technically advanced polymers that provide sustainable and forward-thinking solutions to the global polymerconsuming marketplace.
For further information please reach out to:
Dan Flynn, COO of PBW : dan.flynn@pioneerballoon.com
Tom Marsh, Joint CTO of ASP & PBW tom.marsh@pioneerballoon.com
Robert Meyer, CEO ASP robert.meyer@as-polymers.com
