Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Recognized as a Plastics News Best Place to Work for 11th Consecutive Year
'This past year has been a time of evolution for APNA,' said Phani Nagaraj, President of Asahi Kasei Plastics North America. 'Throughout 2024, we have focused on optimizing the organization, expanding into new sectors while strengthening our operations post-merger. Through these changes, one thing has remained constant – our dedication to building a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow'.
As APNA continues to evolve, the company has made key investments in people, processes, and strategic direction to strengthen its market position. Over the past year, APNA has reinforced its commitment to diversification, unlocked new cross-functional opportunities from the Asaclean merger, and optimized its internal structure to provide more pathways for employees to grow.
'This transformation has not only positioned APNA for long-term success but also created new growth opportunities for our employees,' Nagaraj continued. 'As we've expanded and optimized our operations, we've seen employees take on new leadership roles, develop new skill sets, and drive innovation across the organization. This is why I believe we continue to be recognized for this achievement.'
Beyond structural improvements, APNA remains committed to fostering a positive and engaging work environment. To strengthen its culture, the company continues to invest in employee recognition programs, milestone celebrations, and company-wide events. APNA values employee feedback through surveys, town halls, and direct engagement, ensuring that all voices are heard as the company grows.
While this recognition is significant, APNA is already looking toward the future. As the company continues to expand, innovate, and invest in its workforce, it remains committed to creating an even stronger, more dynamic workplace in the years to come.
'We are proud of this recognition, but we're not stopping here,' said Nagaraj. 'We aim to continue building a workplace that fosters success—for our employees, customers, and business. We're excited for what's ahead as we strive for year 12 in 2026.'
Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. ('APNA') is a leading manufacturer of innovative, high-performance, engineered polymers and chemically coupled polypropylene resins in North America. The product line includes XYRON (modified polyphenylene ether), Thermylene (specialty chemically coupled polypropylene), LEONA (nylon 6/6, 6/6+6i), TENAC (homopolymer and copolymer acetal), Thermylon (nylon 6, 6/6), and Asaclean (purging compounds and concentrates). APNA currently has four locations in North America and over 350 employees. For more information, visit
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