What Natur-Tec does

Natur-Tec, a wholly-owned business unit of Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC, NASDAQ: NTIC), develops and manufactures biobased and compostable polymer resin formulations from its headquarters in Circle Pines, Minnesota. Its core technology is NTIC's proprietary ReX Process (Reactive Extrusion), which reactively blends biodegradable polymers, natural polymers, and organic/inorganic materials with proprietary compatibilizers to produce biopolymer resins with unique and stable morphology. The portfolio is organized into four numbered resin series — 2000 (extrusion coating), 3000 (injection molding, modified PLA), 5000 (sheet/profile extrusion for thermoforming and straws), and 7000 (flexible film for bags and liners) — plus specialty products such as XF5003 hot-cup-lid resin and XF3029 agricultural-grade resin. Finished goods are sold under sub-brands Natur-Bag (liners, shoppers, gloves), Natur-Ware (cutlery, food service), and Circule (garment packaging).

The company operates as a B2B sales-led business targeting manufacturers and brand owners in three primary verticals: food service packaging (cups, plates, cutlery, straws), agricultural/horticultural/viticultural (vine clips, mulch films), and zero-waste/sustainability programs (liners, bags). A secondary vertical — the garment industry — is served through the Circule brand, and a new specialty-crop-exporter vertical was added via the 2026 IFPA Packaging Innovation Program. Natur-Tec's products carry a broad set of third-party certifications (ASTM D6400, EN 13432, ISO 17088, ASTM D6866, ASTM D6868, BPI, TÜV Austria, USDA BioPreferred, CMA, ABA AS 4736, GreenPla Japan), and the firm holds USDA BioPreferred Program Champion status. Revenue is generated through one-time resin sales to converters and OEMs; pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed.

Natur-Tec maintains R&D laboratories in Minnesota and Ohio (USA), an Application Development Center in Chennai (India), and compounding/technical facilities in Zhejiang (China), with finished-product manufacturing partners across the USA, China, India, and Malaysia and additional partnership manufacturing in Italy. Distribution is global direct-to-manufacturer combined with a white-label/OEM partner network and multi-language regional websites (English, German, French, Italian), enabling reach into 65+ countries. The business is privately held at the unit level with no independent venture funding; Natur-Tec operates with no disclosed headcount split from NTIC's 101–250 employee base, and its parent reported a fiscal 2025 decline in net sales and net income.

Name

Natur-Tec

Legal name

Northern Technologies International Corporation

Website

https://naturtec.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Natur-Tec, a business unit of NASDAQ-listed NTIC, develops and manufactures biobased and compostable polymer resin formulations using its proprietary ReX Process, selling to manufacturers and brand owners in food service packaging, agriculture, zero-waste programs, and garment packaging across 65+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Compostable Bioplastics

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Compostable & Bio-based Flexible Films and Sheet (extrusion/cast/blown) (IMANANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Compostable Materials & Certified Compostables (IMAEAOAC), Compostable & Biodegradable Disposable Supplies (CRAJAGAK)

Keywords

• Compostable bioplastics
• Biobased polymer resins
• Biopolymer compounds
• Sustainable packaging materials
• Compostable film resins

Headquarters

HQ city

Circle Pines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Biopolymer Resin Sales: Sale of biobased and compostable polymer resin compounds to manufacturers and converters. Products are sold in multiple series (2000, 3000, 5000, 7000) tailored for different applications including film extrusion, injection molding, extrusion coating, and thermoforming.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Natur-Tec develops, manufactures, and sells biobased and compostable polymer resin compounds (organised into 2000, 3000, 5000, and 7000 Series) plus finished compostable products under the Natur-Bag, Natur-Ware, and Circule sub-brands. Products are produced using parent NTIC's proprietary ReX Process and are certified compostable to ASTM D6400, EN13432, and ISO 17088 for use in food service packaging, agricultural applications, garment packaging, and zero-waste programs.

Product overview

Natur-Tec® offers a broad portfolio of bioplastics organized into four resin series: 2000 Series (extrusion coating), 3000 Series (injection molding), 5000 Series (sheet/profile extrusion for thermoforming and straws), and 7000 Series (flexible film for bags and liners). The company manufactures finished products under sub-brands including Natur-Bag® (compostable liners, bags, gloves), Natur-Ware® (compostable cutlery), and Circule® (garment packaging solutions). Products are produced using NTIC's proprietary ReX Process and are certified compostable per ASTM D6400, EN13432, and other international standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Natur-Bag®: Certified compostable liners, shoppers, gloves, and produce bags
• Natur-Ware®
• Circule®

Products and services

• 2000 Series Resin Biobased and compostable polymer resin compounds designed for extrusion coating applications. Engineered for high performance with lower processing temperatures and energy savings. Certified compostable per ASTM D6400 and EN13432. Used by converters in food service and packaging applications.
• 3000 Series Resin Biobased and compostable polymer resin compounds for injection molding applications, made with modified PLA. Engineered for high-heat performance and dimensional stability. Used in foodservice packaging, garment packaging accessories, and agricultural clips.
• 5000 Series Resin Biobased and compostable polymer resin compounds for sheet extrusion used in thermoforming and profile extrusion applications such as compostable plastic straws and rigid foodservice items. Listed on the USDA BioPreferred catalog.
• 7000 Series Resin Biobased and compostable polymer resin compounds designed for flexible film applications, used to produce compostable bags, liners, and packaging. Targeted at zero-waste programs and sustainability-driven bag markets.
• Natur-Tec XF5003 (Hot Cup Lids Resin) Biobased and compostable resin solution specifically formulated for hot cup lid thermoforming. Improves impact strength, flexibility, higher rigidity, and reduces deformation. Contains up to 75% biobased content and meets ASTM D6400 and EN13432 standards, enabling broader operating windows, faster cycle times, and reduced scrap.
• Natur-Tec XF3029 (Agricultural Resin) Biobased and compostable injection mold grade resin engineered for the agricultural, horticultural, and viticultural industries. Engineered for soil degradability and industrial compostability with up to 50% biobased content. Used for vine clips, plant label clips, label sticks, and rings, with cycle times comparable to traditional fossil-based polymers.
• PFAS- and PVDC-Free Compostable Barrier Laminates Compostable barrier laminate technology targeting dried fruit, tree nut, and specialty crop export packaging, designed to replace PFAS- and PVDC-containing materials and meet EU and Canadian packaging regulations.
• Natur-Bag Sub-brand offering certified compostable liners, shoppers, gloves, and produce bags manufactured by Natur-Tec for zero-waste, retail, and municipal organics collection applications.
• Natur-Ware Sub-brand offering biobased and compostable cutlery and food service packaging items for foodservice operators and retailers.
• Circule Sub-brand offering biobased and compostable solutions for the garment industry, including garment packaging accessories.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products certified compostable within 180 days in industrial composting facilities
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Natur-Tec was selected as one of seven companies in the 2026 IFPA Packaging Innovation Program. The program is supported by a $5 million investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service and aims to help U.S. specialty crop exporters comply with international packaging regulations including EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and Canada's Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations.
• Clemson UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClemson University is implementing the IFPA Packaging Innovation Program in partnership with IFPA and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.
• Michigan State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration with Michigan State University, the premier institute for research on Advanced Biobased Materials. Natur-Tec also supports the MSU RISE (Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment) Program.
• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)coreTechnology or IntegrationBPI provides independent certification program for products meeting ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 standards. Natur-Tec products are BPI certified for compostability.
• TÜV AustriacoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean equivalent of BPI, providing independent certification for products meeting EN13432 standard. Natur-Tec products hold TÜV Austria OK Compost certification.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NatureWorks: NatureWorks is a leading global producer of PLA biopolymers used in compostable packaging, foodservice, and fiber applications. It directly competes with Natur-Tec across PLA-based resin grades for injection molding, extrusion, and film applications.
• TotalEnergies Corbion: TotalEnergies Corbion manufactures PLA (Luminy) resins for compostable packaging, foodservice, and durable goods. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Natur-Tec's PLA-based 3000 and 5000 series resins in injection molding and thermoforming markets.
• BioBag International: BioBag is a global producer of certified compostable bags, liners, and food waste collection products. It directly competes with Natur-Tec's Natur-Bag sub-brand in the compostable bag and liner segment serving zero-waste and municipal programs.
• Novamont (Versalis/Eni): Novamont (now part of Versalis/Eni) produces Mater-Bi compostable bioplastics for bags, films, and food service applications. It is a direct competitor in compostable flexible films and bags, overlapping with Natur-Tec's 7000 series and Natur-Bag product line.

Emerging players

• BIO-FED: BIO-FED develops and compounds certified compostable and biobased plastics (AF-Eco, Terraloy) for injection molding, extrusion, and film applications. It is a niche competitor with overlapping product formats to Natur-Tec's resin series.
• FKuR (Willow Flex): FKuR is a specialty compounder of biobased and compostable plastics (Biograde, Terraloy, Ecoblend) serving films, injection molding, and extrusion applications. It competes with Natur-Tec's multi-series resin portfolio in the specialty biopolymer compounding segment.
• Danimer Scientific: Danimer Scientific produces PHA-based bioplastics (Nodax) for compostable packaging and coating applications. It is an emerging competitor focused on biobased/compostable materials with partial overlap to Natur-Tec's compostable resin portfolio.
• TIPA Corporation: TIPA develops fully compostable flexible packaging films and laminates for food and retail applications. It overlaps with Natur-Tec's 7000 series flexible film resins and Natur-Bag films in the compostable packaging market.

Broad incumbents

• Sabic (TRUCIRCLE portfolio): Sabic produces certified circular and biobased polymers (TRUCIRCLE) used in packaging and consumer goods. As a global petrochemicals incumbent, Sabic competes with Natur-Tec in the broader bioplastic and certified sustainable materials space.
• BASF (ecovio): BASF offers the ecovio portfolio of compostable biopolymers for flexible packaging, bags, and agricultural films. As a global chemical incumbent, BASF competes with Natur-Tec across multiple bioplastic grades while serving a far broader polymer portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/naturbag
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel
• Facebookfacebook.com/naturbag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natur-tec

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Natur-Tec