Life at RGE: A Career Shaped by Culture and Change

When Rigardt Jordaan agreed to join RGE and move from his native South Africa to China, he knew he was taking on a big professional challenge to rethink how we produce dissolving pulp, used in everything from textiles to face masks.

But it was the everyday obstacles that proved just as challenging.

“I didn’t speak any Chinese when I moved there, so getting my first haircut was an interesting experience,” he laughs.

But those everyday obstacles taught him to seek creative solutions, a skill that has served him well in his career ever since.

“I spent two years at Asia Symbol in Rizhao from 2017-2019 and it was a transformative experience. It was my first international assignment and provided some of the greatest professional and personal growth moments of my career.

“As Production Manager, I worked alongside an exceptional team and immersed myself in a culture that emphasised efficiency, precision, and collective effort.”

His main project was rethinking dissolving pulp production, moving from batches to a continuous production process.

Moving from his native South Africa to China, Rigardt took on the professional and personal challenge to rethink how we produce dissolving pulp, and to learn the ropes of engaging in a completely different culture.

Rigardt eventually transferred to Brazil to work with sister company Bracell, but he took many of the lessons he learned in China with him.

“I was deeply inspired by the team’s concise and dedicated approach to execution, and I learned the importance of building trust through personal relationships (Guanxi), respecting hierarchies (Mianzi), and navigating change with patience,” he says.

“This experience strengthened my ability to adapt to cultural differences, collaborate across teams, and approach challenges with a more inclusive mind. It also prepared me for my subsequent roles at Bracell, where I still apply these insights.”

After two years in China it was time to move to Brazil, where he took a job as Fiberline Specialist at Bracell, helping plan construction of Project Star, a 100% fossil fuel free pulp mill.

“I led the Fiberline and Chemical plant areas, training new personnel in the dissolving pulp process.”

Building the world’s largest and greenest pulp mill would have been challenging in the best of times, but Project Star took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, threatening the project timeline.

“We had to adapt quickly and employ inventive techniques to ensure successful training and a smooth start-up. This experience underscored the power of teamwork toward a common goal. With collaboration among the company, the community, and city support, we achieved remarkable results. Finally seeing the plant go into operation was incredibly rewarding – it felt like we had accomplished something significant together.”

Rigardt moved to Brazil to take up the role of Fiberline Specialist at Bracell, helping plan construction of Project Star, a 100% fossil fuel free pulp mill.

Following the project, Rigardt was promoted to Fiberline and Chemical Plant Manager, then again in 2024 to Pulp Operations Manager, overseeing all aspects of pulp production at Bracell’s operations in Sao Paulo.

And although Brazilian working culture is very different, Rigardt’s experiences in China continue to serve him well in his expanded role.

“In Brazil, we enjoy a more flexible hierarchy, but trust-building through personal relationships remains crucial, just as it was in China. I strive to balance this flexibility with systems thinking to ensure operational efficiency while fostering creativity.”

Those leadership skills were further enhanced when Rigardt took part in our Executive Leadership Program (ELP) at INSEAD’s Singapore campus.

“The ELP really helped prepare me for higher responsibilities,” he says. “We learned from world-class professors and it enabled me to bring a more thoughtful, strategic approach to my work.

“I also got to spend time with peers across RGE’s industries and other organisations worldwide, which helped broaden my perspectives and enhance my ability to work globally.”

There’s one other thing Rigardt has learned in his almost one decade with RGE: a love of Chinese food. “I’ve developed a love for Chinese food, and I’d describe myself as a foodie. Any chance I get, I’m indulging in dumplings and baozi,” he jokes.

Learn more about careers at RGE.