Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych

What Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych does

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych is a Polish applied chemistry research institute headquartered in Puławy, operating since 1958 (originally as Instytut Nawozów Sztucznych) and rebranded in 2019 upon joining the Łukasiewicz Research Network, a federation of 22 public research institutes employing roughly 4,500 scientists. The institute runs three product pillars — industrial catalysts, fertilizers, and plant extracts / biodegradable polymer materials — supported by core capabilities in chemical synthesis, supercritical CO2 extraction, and catalyst formulation.

Its underlying technology base combines laboratory-scale supercritical CO2 extraction with proprietary catalyst and fertilizer process IP, protected through multiple Polish patents. The institute operates a 24-hectare research site including a specialized semi-technical plant for scaling chemical processes from bench to industrial production.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: contract R&D services for industrial clients, technology commercialization and licensing of proprietary processes, and direct product sales of catalysts, fertilizer formulations, plant extracts, and the TPS-INS biodegradable polymer line. Commercial customers include Grupa Azoty, Nitrogenmuvek, SKW Piesteritz, Agropolychim, Chemnovatic, Novasome, and Vet-Agro. Revenue is supplemented by Polish state appropriations and EU framework grants (including LIFE and Horizon-type consortia). The institute holds ISO 9001:2015, HACCP, and the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research certification, and is led by Director Cezary Możeński.

Name

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych

Legal name

Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych

Website

https://ins.lukasiewicz.gov.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych is a Polish public chemistry research institute in Puławy developing industrial catalysts, fertilizer technology, plant extracts, and biodegradable polymers (TPS-INS), serving fertilizer, chemical, cosmetics, and food clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Basic Chemical Manufacturing (3251), Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

C1 & Synthesis Gas Derivatives (Methanol, Formaldehyde, Acetic Acid) (IMAEADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gas Treating Chemicals & Consumables (Amines, Glycols, Adsorbents, Catalysts) (EUAAABAG), Base Aromatics (BTX: Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes) (IMAEADAB), Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids) (IMAMALAB)

Keywords

• Industrial catalysts
• Specialty chemicals
• Fertilizer technology
• Supercritical CO2 extraction
• Chemical research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Puławy

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research and Development Services: Contract research, analytical services, and specialized laboratory testing for industrial clients. Includes chemical analyses, fertilizer quality assessment, and material testing services.
2. Technology Commercialization: Licensing and turnkey delivery of proprietary technologies for chemical production processes including catalysts, fertilizers, and extraction methods.
3. Product Sales: Sale of manufactured products including catalysts, sorbents, ceramic balls, hop extracts, fertilizers, and plant extracts obtained via supercritical CO2 extraction.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych is a government research institute that develops, manufactures, and commercializes industrial catalysts, specialty fertilizers, plant extracts via supercritical CO2 extraction, and biodegradable polymer materials. It provides contract R&D, chemical analyses, micronization services, and turnkey technology licensing to industrial clients in the chemical, fertilizer, food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural sectors.

Product overview

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych is a research institute offering a comprehensive portfolio of chemical products and technologies. The portfolio centers on three main pillars: (1) Industrial catalysts including TZC-3/1, V6/PKR-2, PS-3-INS, KUB-3, PKH-3, RANG, G-0217/G-0221, PKR, and KUT catalysts for synthesis gas production, ammonia synthesis, hydrogenation, desulfurization, methanation, and fat hardening; (2) Fertilizer products including urea phosphate (NP 17-44-0), ammonium polyphosphate (NP 10-34-0), and anti-caking agents like INSOFT; (3) Plant extracts and biodegradable materials including hop extract and thermoplastic starch (TPS-INS). Supporting services include chemical analyses, micronization, and licensing/commercialization of technologies. The institute operates certified quality management systems (ISO 9001:2015) and HACCP for supercritical CO2 extraction processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TZC-3/1 High-Temperature CO Conversion Catalyst Catalyst for high-temperature carbon monoxide conversion with steam in hydrogen and synthesis gas production processes; supplied to industrial chemical manufacturers.
• V6/PKR-2 NOx Reduction Catalyst Catalyst for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in flue gases using ammonia as reducer; for chemical and industrial plants.
• PS-3-INS and PS-3-INS-R Ammonia Synthesis Catalysts Catalysts for ammonia synthesis from hydrogen and nitrogen, available in oxide (PS-3-INS) and pre-reduced (PS-3-INS-R) forms; for fertilizer manufacturers.
• KUB-3 Benzene Hydrogenation Catalyst Catalyst for benzene hydrogenation to cyclohexane, used in caprolactam production technology.
• PKH-3 Hydrodesulfurization Catalyst Catalyst for hydrogenation of organic sulfur compounds (HDS) in natural gas to convert sulfur to hydrogen sulfide.
• RANG Series Methanation Catalysts Catalysts for methane synthesis from carbon oxides (COx) for deep removal of carbon oxides from synthesis gases and hydrogen.
• G-0217 and G-0221 Steam Reforming Catalysts Catalysts for steam reforming of hydrocarbons for first-stage steam reforming in tubular reformers.
• PKR-1, PKR-2, PKR-3 N2O Decomposition Catalysts High-temperature decomposition catalysts for nitrous oxide (N2O) formed during ammonia oxidation; for environmental emission control in nitric acid plants.
• KUT Fat Hardening Catalyst Nickel catalyst for hydrogenation hardening of plant and animal fats across a wide range of temperatures and pressures.
• Urea Phosphate Solid Fertilizer (NP 17-44-0) Fertilizer containing 98% urea phosphate, usable as fertilizer or component of household chemicals; for fertilizer distributors and agricultural users.
• Liquid Fertilizer NP 10-34-0 (Ammonium Polyphosphate) Dense clear liquid solution of ammonium polyphosphates used as fertilizer or fertilizer component; also applicable in paper and textile industries.
• INSOFT Anti-caking Agent Anti-caking preparation for urea fertilizer to prevent clumping during storage and handling.
• Hop Extract Concentrated extract of bitter resins, hop oils, and tannins from hop cones produced via supercritical CO2 extraction; used in brewing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
• TPS-INS Thermoplastic Starch Innovative thermoplastic starch formulations and biodegradable polymer compositions supplied in granules and films; for packaging and materials manufacturers.
• INS-13 Activator Activator for degreasing and surface activation before phosphating of body sheets; for metal finishing operations.
• Ichanofos Spray Phosphating Preparation Spray phosphating preparation for body sheets; colorless liquid with weak opalescence for surface treatment.
• Calcium Fluoride Precipitated calcium fluoride; white crystalline solid used in spark plug production.
• High-Alumina Ceramic Balls High-alumina ceramic balls used as support or top layer in catalyst beds, and as inert filling material for reactors.
• Chemical Analyses Service Comprehensive chemical and physicochemical testing of fertilizer products, raw materials, plant extracts, and chemical substances; for industrial clients and manufacturers.
• Micronization Laboratory Service Micronization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for human and veterinary medicinal products, including inorganic and organic raw materials; contract service for pharmaceutical companies.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNIONcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Lead consortium partner in LIFE-DIMITRA project for valorizing anaerobic digestates into bio-fertilizers. International collaboration with Greek technical university for agricultural sustainability research.
• CENTRO INTERNAZIONALE DI ALTISTUDI AGRONOMICI MEDITERRANEI / UNIVERSIDAD DE EXTREMADURAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023ROBOCOOP-EU project consortium partners for circular bioeconomy business models in agricultural cooperatives across 7 countries.
• Łukasiewicz – IMN, Łukasiewicz – ITEE, Łukasiewicz – IChP, Łukasiewicz – GIT, Łukasiewicz – KIT, Łukasiewicz – ICiMB, Łukasiewicz – WITcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2017Consortium partners within the Circular&Green Economy strategic program for nickel recovery from spent catalysts and industrial waste materials.
• Puławski Park Naukowo-TechnologicznycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2017Science and Technology Park hosting institute facilities. Partnership for research infrastructure development and innovation ecosystem support.
• Grupa AzotycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Polish chemical conglomerate and fertilizer producer. Partnership involves fertilizer technology development, research collaboration, and commercialization of agricultural innovations. Multiple joint projects including biofertilizers and controlled-release fertilizers.
• NitrogenmuvekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHungarian nitrogen and chemical products manufacturer. Industrial collaboration on nitrogen-based fertilizer technologies and processes.
• SKW PiesteritzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman chemical company specializing in chemical products. Partnership for technology development and industrial process optimization.
• AgropolychimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBulgarian fertilizer manufacturer. Joint development of fertilizer technologies and product commercialization.
• ChemnovaticminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish specialty chemicals company. Collaboration on specialty chemical products and technologies.
• NovasomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients developer. Partnership for bioactive compound extraction and formulation development.
• Vet-AgrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural products company. Collaboration on agricultural applications and product development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Yara International: Global nitrogen fertilizer leader with its own R&D and catalyst technology for ammonia — overlaps with INS on fertilizer customers and competes on agronomic know-how, though operates as a producer rather than a pure technology vendor.

Direct peers

• Clariant: Major specialty catalyst manufacturer with deep portfolios in syngas, ammonia, and emissions catalysts — competes head-on with INS's PKR N2O decomposition, V6/PKR-2 NOx SCR, and steam reforming catalyst offerings.
• Casale: Swiss licensor of ammonia, urea, and methanol process technologies with proprietary catalysts — directly comparable to INS's turnkey ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer technology offerings to Grupa Azoty and similar producers.
• W. R. Grace & Co. US specialty chemicals and catalyst company with strong positions in polyolefin, refining, and emissions catalysts — overlaps with INS's industrial catalyst portfolio for chemical and petrochemical customers.
• Johnson Matthey: Global industrial catalyst and process technology provider with overlapping offerings in ammonia, methanol, hydrogenation, and emissions control — competes with INS for fertilizer, petrochemical, and refining customers.
• thyssenkrupp Uhde: Engineering, licensing, and catalyst supply for large-scale chemical plants (ammonia, fertilizers, methanol) — directly competes with INS for technology and catalyst packages sold to fertilizer and chemical producers in Europe and globally.
• Topsoe: Danish global leader in catalysts and technology for synthesis gas, ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen — directly comparable to INS's TZC, G-0217, RANG methanation, and PS-3 ammonia catalyst lines serving the same downstream customers.

Regional players

• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's applied research network of 75+ institutes with contract R&D, technology licensing, and patent commercialization — structural peer to the Łukasiewicz Network and to INS's public-institute business model.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish state R&D center with industrial biotechnology, biomass conversion, and chemical process work — comparable European public research institute model with similar mix of government, EU, and commercial funding.
• SINTEF: Norway's largest contract research organization with extensive process chemistry, catalysis, and biorefinery capabilities — comparable mission and revenue model (public funding + commercial R&D/licensing) to INS.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C5%82ukasiewicz-instytut-nowych-syntez-chemicznych

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Łukasiewicz – Instytut Nowych Syntez Chemicznych