What Catolet does

CATOLET GmbH & Co. KG is a German Mittelstand family-owned manufacturer, founded in 1989 in Albbruck (South Black Forest), that produces ecological cat and animal litter made from 100% recycled cellulose sourced from the hygiene-paper and packaging industries. Its two core product lines are CATOLET Katzen-/Tiereinstreu (cat and small-animal litter, 8L–25L formats) and CATOLET Biotonnen-Streu (50L bio-bin odor and liquid control litter, launched 2021); both are marketed as dust-free, fast-absorbing (over 100% liquid within 5 seconds), paw-friendly, and 100% biodegradable. Production is carried out at a single expanded site (4,200 m² added in 2011-2012, second filling line commissioned) using 100% hydropower electricity and a 600 kW on-site wood chip heating system, with CO2-neutral production certified since 2009.

The company makes money by selling its litter products under its own CATOLET brand and as private-label (Eigenmarke) goods to DACH-region food retail (Lebensmitteleinzelhandel) and specialty trade (Fachhandel), supplemented by direct-to-consumer sales through its own e-commerce storefront (catolet.de) and a dedicated partner shop (oeko-katzenstreu.de). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. CATOLET holds a stack of sustainability and quality certifications (ISO 9001:2015, DIN EN 16247-1, ISO 14040, CO2-neutral production, 100% hydropower) and operates a social-inclusion employment program with Caritaswerkstätten Hochrhein (Tandem IV) since November 2022. Following a 2017 generational leadership transition to Uwe Baumgartner and a 2018 strategic refocus on its core cellulose litter business, the company continues to operate as a privately held, family-controlled enterprise with 11-50 employees.

Name

Catolet

Legal name

CATOLET GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://catolet.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CATOLET GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned German Mittelstand manufacturer, founded 1989 in Albbruck, producing CO2-neutral ecological cat, animal, and bio-bin litter from 100% recycled cellulose for DACH food retail, specialty trade, and DTC e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eco-friendly Pet Litter Manufacturing

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB)

Keywords

• Ecological cat litter
• Recycled cellulose litter
• Biodegradable pet litter
• Sustainable animal hygiene
• Cellulose-based litter

Headquarters

HQ city

Albbruck

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cat and Animal Litter Products: Sale of CATOLET cat/animal litter products in various sizes (8L, 10L, 12L, 20L, 25L, 50L) through own-brand labels, distributed via retail and direct sales channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Catolet GmbH & Co. KG manufactures and sells ecological cat and animal litter products made from 100% recycled cellulose material. The portfolio comprises two main product lines: Katzen-/Tiereinstreu (cat and small animal litter) and Biotonnen-Streu (bio-bin litter for household waste management), both produced under CO2-neutral manufacturing using electricity from 100% hydropower and process heat from a 600 kW wood chip heating system, with packaging formats from 8L to 50L in sewn or hotmelt paper bags.

Product overview

CATOLET GmbH & Co. KG is a manufacturer of ecological cat and animal litter products made from 100% recycled cellulose material. The company offers two main product lines: CATOLET Katzen-/Tiereinstreu (cat/animal litter) and CATOLET Biotonnen-Streu (bio-bin litter), both produced from recycled materials and marketed as environmentally friendly, dust-free, and biodegradable alternatives to mineral-based litter. Both products are available in various packaging sizes (8L to 50L) in double-sided paper bags with sewn or hotmelt options. The company operates as a family-owned medium-sized enterprise in southern Black Forest, Germany, with over 30 years of industry experience since its founding in 1989.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CATOLET Katzen-/Tiereinstreu: Ökologische Katzen-/Tiereinstreu aus 100% Recycling-Material (Zellulose), staubfrei, biologisch abbaubar, pfotenfreundlich.
• CATOLET Biotonnen-Streu

Products and services

• CATOLET Katzen-/Tiereinstreu Ecological cat and small animal litter made from 100% recycled cellulose material; absorbs over 100% liquid within five seconds, binds odours naturally, is dust-free, paw-friendly, lightweight, and 100% biodegradable. Available in 8L, 10L, 12L, 20L, and 25L packaging sizes in sewn or hotmelt double-sided paper bags, optionally FSC Mix, through retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
• CATOLET Biotonnen-Streu Ecological bio-bin litter based on 100% recycled cellulose for use in bio-bins, household residual-waste containers, and compost systems. Absorbs liquids, binds odours, supports clean emptying of bins, reduces pest infestation, and is 100% biodegradable. Sold across 8L to 50L packaging sizes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Absorbs over 100% liquid within 5 seconds
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Caritaswerkstätten Hochrhein gemeinnützige GmbH (CWH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Social partnership through the Tandem IV program enabling people with disabilities to work at CATOLET. CWH provides 550 people with disabilities opportunities for professional participation across seven locations in the Waldshut district. Employees Kevin Weber and Diogo Bertolo have been working at CATOLET since November 2022, handling packaging, labeling, and warehousing operations. CATOLET provides inclusive employment opportunities while supporting CWH's mission of integrating disabled workers into the general labor market.
• Nature EnergieminorOthersNature Energie provides CO2 certification services for CATOLET's carbon footprint verification. The partnership supports CATOLET's sustainability claims and CO2-neutral production credentials.
• oeko-katzenstreu.deminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner shop (oeko-katzenstreu.de) serves as an additional e-commerce distribution channel for CATOLET eco cat litter products, complementing the company's own storefront.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mars Petcare: Mars Petcare is the global pet care division of Mars, Inc., one of the largest pet care companies in the world, operating brands including Whiskas, Royal Canin, and Biokat's. A broad incumbent with significant European retail presence that competes in the cat litter category.
• Church & Dwight: Church & Dwight is a US consumer goods company owning major cat litter brands including Arm & Hammer and Ever Clean. A broad incumbent in the cat litter category with significant North American market share and growing international presence.
• Nestlé Purina: Nestlé Purina is the global pet care division of Nestlé and the owner of the Yesterday's News recycled paper cat litter brand. A broad incumbent with extensive distribution and R&D capabilities across pet food and care categories.
• Vitakraft: Vitakraft is a German Mittelstand pet care manufacturer with a broad portfolio of pet food and accessories. Similar German heritage and Mittelstand profile to Catolet, but it operates across many pet categories beyond litter.

Direct peers

• Cat's Best (J. Rettenmaier & Söhne): Cat's Best is a German plant-based cat litter brand owned by J. Rettenmaier & Söhne, made from wood fibers. It competes directly with Catolet in the DACH eco-litter segment with similar sustainability credentials and German Mittelstand heritage.
• Biokat's: Biokat's is a European cat litter brand owned by Mars Petcare, distributed across European retail. It competes in the same European cat litter market where Catolet operates, with broader mass-market positioning.
• Yesterday's News (Nestlé Purina): Yesterday's News is a US-based cat litter brand owned by Nestlé Purina, made from recycled paper. It is a direct competitor to Catolet in the recycled cellulose cat litter segment with similar sustainability positioning.
• World's Best Cat Litter: World's Best Cat Litter is a US-based natural cat litter brand made from corn. It competes in the natural/eco cat litter segment alongside Catolet's recycled cellulose litter, targeting sustainability-minded pet owners.

Regional players

• JR Farm: JR Farm is a German pet food and accessory manufacturer focused on natural products. It shares a similar German Mittelstand profile and regional DACH market presence in pet care with Catolet.
• Beeztees: Beeztees is a Dutch pet products brand with European distribution in pet accessories and care. Regional player with similar mid-market positioning to Catolet in the broader European pet care space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/catolet.de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catolet-gmbh-&-co.-kg

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Catolet