4 Minutes with…Timothy Richter, President, MATERA LLC

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

Matera provides comprehensive, strategic guidance for deployment of new and mature technologies for the thermochemical, bioenergy, biomass fractionation, bioproduct, and cellulosic markets. Since 2006, we have relied on our broad experience and proven risk philosophy to successfully manage completion of over $500MM in renewable energy projects.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

Matera is typically engaged as a contract management team member or project director to prepare for technology deployment into the next stage of production. Matera brings project development and framework using sound engineering and Project Management Institute principles tailored to the goals and capacity of each client.

* Matera has recognized the broken paradigm in renewable investments where pharmaceutical multiples are expected within 7-year private equity exit horizons yet require revenue guarantees only seen in electrical generation markets. Matera is seeking like minds to innovate on this approach.

** Matera is currently involved in growing the lignin-to-biomaterials opportunity space through solvent fractionation and copolymer technologies, erecting additional first-generation ethanol capacity in Canada, scaling up thermochemical processes for unique site opportunities, as well as other discrete contract project management roles.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?   

** Define… Develop… Deliver. **

– Cellulosic capacity must come online exceeding nameplate and not developed using parent-company balance sheets;

– Lignin must be placed into consumer markets in products and volumes that attract investment; and

– Thermochemical conversions with low oxygenate contents need to produce finished fuels via catalysts.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change? 

The current approach to (ostensibly) mitigating risk from spreadsheet investors should be challenged. Each category of risk has its own universe of complexities with each outcome rapidly impacting the whole of the rest of the company. Investor patience and funding needs to lengthen in duration to sort these interactions out in a profitable manner.

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?   

Nature has provided building blocks that we can reassemble to the benefit of both investors and our communities.

Where are you from?

I am an Army-brat from up and down the East Coast

What was your subject focus (e.g. major) in university (undergraduate and/or graduate, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?

I have a BS in Civil Engineering from Princeton University and a Masters in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University.

Who do you consider your mentors – could be personal, business, or just people you have read about and admire. What have you learned from them?  

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?   

Keep working hard and staying positive, the adversity will pass.

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry?   

When I am not working, I focus on my family. Once or twice a week I will indulge in tennis, tae kwon do, or rowing. I also listen to podcasts as I move about.

What books or articles (excluding The Digest) are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?   

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?  

Wurzburg, Germany is still my favorite city in Europe…