Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Emmanuel Ladent Of Carbios Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Martita Mestey
Global warming and climate change are problems we are feeling and facing every day. There is no future without a sustainable planet and no profitable business without a strong sustainable advantage.
As a part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Emmanuel Ladent.
Emmanuel Ladent is the Chief Executive Officer of Carbios. He has over 30 years of experience in the automotive sector and more specifically in mobility. Prior to joining Carbios, he managed the MICHELIN Group’s largest business line, the Automotive Global Brands division. His management career is characterized by a strong international background, with more than 20 years spent working on several different continents. Specialized in business transformation through innovation, Mr. Ladent has contributed to the development of subsidiaries with multi-billion-euro turnovers. Through strong leadership, he has been able to unite interdisciplinary and intercultural teams around a common vision and ambitious goals.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in the Northwest of France, near the ocean, Baie de Somme. I grew up in a very outdoorsy environment on a bird reserve. This meant that from an early age, I have developed a strong sensitivity for nature preservation. I also have four children, who continue to encourage me to do something positive for the planet. What I do and my contributions to the planet make my children proud. They are my pride and joy and inspire me to continue doing what I can to protect the environment.
You are currently leading a social impact organization that is making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
Carbios aims to provide a biological solution to create a circular economy for plastic. Inspired by nature, our purpose is to transform plastics into sustainable resources. We have a unique approach where we develop enzymatic solutions to create a fully circular approach to manage the lifecycle of plastics and textiles.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
Growing up by the ocean and being a scuba diver for years, I am passionate about protecting and keeping the oceans clean. I’ve witnessed too many beaches with plastic trash littering the sea and ocean and it is disturbing to know that 9 million tons of plastics end up there each year. When I learned about Carbios and what the company is doing to find and bring a true solution to solving the plastic pollution problem, I became passionate about the mission. I thought it would be a great place to work and to use my expertise to contribute to its development.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
All my experience has been international, and business-focused, but when I think about what impact I want to leave behind me, I feel the need to do something more purposeful. I have always had the desire to do something great for the planet. My goal is to put my experience as an international CEO to good use in an ambitious and meaningful project. I want to use my skills and experience in a way that is focused on sustainability and the future of the planet, and that is why I decided to accept the position of CEO of Carbios in 2021. I have chosen to commit myself to a project that will help combat plastic pollution. It is a great and rewarding challenge to contribute to its development.
Many people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started /accelerated?
I am convinced that a company can never achieve lasting success without the total commitment of its teams. So — finding the right talents is one of the most important steps. Second to being committed to the mission — is to motivate the teams around an ambitious purpose. We should encourage the team to think big and be ambitious, but also to be able to keep promises. At Carbios we offer concrete solutions to rethink the life cycle of plastic and textile materials. Rich in our differences, our successes are collective: the agility of our teams and the diversity of their expertise allow us to quickly offer reliable solutions, and to make them industrial realities.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or take away you learned from that?
On my third day as CEO of Carbios, I had a meeting with the French executive government officials from the Presidency, and I realized I was the only one wearing a tie. I learned then that no one wore ties at startups anymore!
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
Simon Sinek has always been someone I’ve looked up to. He is a company visionary that actually makes sense. As an inspirational speaker and author, he has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work they do.
Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Three things the community and society can do to combat plastic pollution are to increase waste collection, increase consumer transparency, and impose rules for more recycling. There also a need for an increased awareness about the circularity of plastics.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
If the value proposition of the company makes sense for the entire value chain and at the same time decreases CO2 pollution and makes sense for the planet, then it is the perfect alignment for planet profit and people. There is no true profit without a long-term commitment. That’s all the stake of a company purpose.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
Global warming and climate change are problems we are feeling and facing every day. There is no future without a sustainable planet and no profitable business without a strong sustainable advantage.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Be resilient, there is always a bright future to come because I trust in people and there is more collective intelligence than individual success.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
One person I would love to have a meal with would be Emma Watson because of our common goal of protecting the planet. Her energy and conviction are amazing and very inspiring. She has worked with a number of fashion brands that work with zero-waste factories and ethically sourced materials. I would like to discuss with her on how to change the game in the textile industry. We know it is more than changing mindsets and attitudes it is also finding and developing innovative solutions.
How can our readers follow you online?
You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-ladent/ or you can follow Carbios’ pages to follow our work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carbios/.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Emmanuel Ladent Of Carbios Is Helping To Change… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.