What CHESTNUT BIO POLYMERS LTD does

Chestnut Bio Polymers Limited is a UK-based materials company that develops plant-based biodegradable biopolymer formulations designed to replace conventional fossil-based polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) in industrial applications. The company uses a proprietary patented formulation technology developed at its Darlington formulation centre: plant-based feedstocks are fermented to produce monomers, which are blended into bespoke biopolymer formulations matched to the mechanical properties, processing behaviour and performance specifications of incumbent fossil-based plastics. Its current product portfolio comprises eight CNX-series formulations — CNX 100 (flexible injection moulding), CNX 200 (rigid and film/sheet extrusion) and CNX 400 (conductive and dissipative variants for electrical packaging) — each engineered as a drop-in replacement that processes on existing customer tooling without equipment changes, with multiple certified end-of-life pathways including ISO 17556 biodegradation in soil.

The company operates a consultative B2B enterprise sales motion: the team analyses a customer's current plastic use, formulates a tailored biopolymer, conducts testing and approval in its Darlington lab, and provides on-site technical support during manufacturing trials. Commercial-scale production is delivered through a strategic partnership with Polymer Compounders Ltd (PCL) in Durham, supplemented by an international network of compounding partners enabling local production in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Named enterprise customers include RS Components (conductive IC carrier trays under long-term supply) and HoL Group / Hangers of London (biodegradable garment hangers and size markers manufactured in Turkey and Scandinavia), with UK moulder McLaren Plastics acting as an implementation partner. Revenue is generated through quote-based unit sales of biopolymer pellets and associated custom formulation and technical support services; pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts are multi-year.

The company was incorporated in 2019, employs 1-10 people, and is led by CEO Mike Hale alongside Finance Director Lisa McGeary, Commercial Director Aulden Dunipace, Non-Executive Chairman Charlie Hodges, Founder Ian Brown, and a Non-Executive Director representing PCL. The company has not disclosed external fundraising and remains privately held. Recognition includes ISO 17556 certification for biodegradation and official nominee status for The Earthshot Prize 2026.

Name

CHESTNUT BIO POLYMERS LTD

Legal name

Chestnut Bio Polymers Limited

Website

https://chestnut.bio/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chestnut Bio Polymers is a UK materials company that develops patented plant-based biodegradable biopolymer formulations as drop-in replacements for fossil-based PP, PE and PS, sold B2B to manufacturers in retail, electronics packaging, medical, agriculture and personal care verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioplastics Materials

NAICS

Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252)

SIC

Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, starch blends) (IMANAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodegradable Packaging Materials (films, trays, foams) (IMAEAOAB), Compostable & Bio-based Rigid Packaging (injection/blow/thermoform) (IMANANAD), Bio-based Polymers & Bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PHA, bio-PE/PP/PET, PBS) (EUAAAIAC)

Keywords

• Plant-based biopolymers
• Biodegradable plastics
• Biopolymer formulations
• Sustainable plastic materials
• Drop-in plastic alternatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Darlington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Biopolymer Material Sales: Sale of proprietary biopolymer formulations (CNX series) as drop-in replacements for fossil-based plastics, sold by weight/volume to manufacturers. Materials are sold directly to customers who process them through injection moulding, sheet extrusion, or thermoforming.
2. Custom Formulation Development Services: Bespoke biopolymer formulation services where the team works with customers to develop materials matched to their specific performance requirements, including mechanical testing, small batch trials, and manufacturing optimisation support.
3. Technical Support and Knowledge Transfer: On-site technical support during manufacturing trials, including advising on tooling, temperatures, cycle times, and downstream handling to ensure seamless integration of materials into customer production processes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chestnut Bio Polymers develops and supplies plant-based, biodegradable biopolymer formulations (the CNX series) that serve as drop-in replacements for conventional fossil-based polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) in industrial applications. Formulated at the company's Darlington lab using patented blending technology, the materials are designed to process on existing customer tooling and equipment and to biodegrade at end of life to biomass, water, and CO2 (tested to ISO 17556). Commercial-scale production is delivered through manufacturing partners, principally Polymer Compounders Ltd (PCL) in Durham and a network of international compounders.

Product overview

Chestnut Biopolymers offers a portfolio of eight distinct biopolymer formulations under the CNX product line, serving as drop-in alternatives to conventional fossil-based plastics (PP, PE, and PS). The CNX 100 series provides developmental bio-degradable blends for injection moulding of flexible products, while the CNX 200 series addresses injection moulding and film/sheet extrusion for rigid applications. The CNX 400 series targets electrical packaging with conductive and dissipative properties. All formulations are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes without tooling changes, with testing, validation, and scale-up production managed through the company's Darlington facility and manufacturing partner Polymer Compounders Ltd (PCL) in Durham.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNX 100.00 Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Injection Moulding A majority plant-based, biodegradable biopolymer blend designed for injection moulding applications. Offers good processability with slightly longer processing times compared to PP, suitable for flexible applications requiring higher toughness. Designed for outdoor applications with a lifespan of 3–5 years and indoor applications of more than 10 years.
• CNX 101.00 Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Injection Moulding Flexible Products A majority plant-based developmental bio-degradable biopolymer blend designed for injection moulding of flexible products. Offers excellent processability with high elongation at yield, and can be modified to be suitable for outdoor applications.
• CNX 102.00 Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Injection Moulding Flexible Products A majority plant-based developmental bio-degradable biopolymer blend designed for injection moulding. Offers excellent processability with a property balance optimised for more flexible applications.
• CNX 200.01 Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Injection Moulding & Film/Sheet Extrusion A majority plant-based, biodegradable biopolymer blend with good processability for both injection moulding and film/sheet extrusion. Offers a good balance of stiffness and toughness similar to PP, processing well in existing tooling. Suitable for indoor applications with an expected lifespan of more than 10 years.
• CNX 201.00 Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Injection Moulding Rigid Products A majority plant-based developmental bio-degradable biopolymer blend designed for injection moulding of rigid products. Offers good processability with high stiffness, and can be modified to be suitable for outdoor applications.
• CNX 202.00 Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Injection Moulding Rigid Products A majority plant-based developmental bio-degradable biopolymer blend designed for injection moulding of rigid products. Offers good processability with high stiffness, and can be modified to be suitable for outdoor applications.
• CNX 400.00 Conductive Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Electrical Packaging A majority plant-based, biodegradable biopolymer blend with conductive properties specifically designed for electrical packaging. Ideal for applications requiring electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, delivering good processability and a balanced stiffness/toughness profile for electronics packaging with an indoor lifespan of more than 10 years.
• CNX 401.00 Dissipative Bio-Degradable Biopolymer Blend for Electrical Packaging A majority plant-based developmental bio-degradable biopolymer blend with conductive properties, specifically designed for electrical packaging. Ideal for applications requiring a dissipative behaviour, delivering good processability similar to PP and balanced stiffness/toughness performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Materials biodegradable to biomass, water and CO2 in natural environments, tested to ISO 17556
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and key.

• Polymer Compounders Ltd (PCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary manufacturing partner for full-scale commercial production. PCL operates high-throughput twin-screw compounding lines in Durham, capable of producing thousands of tonnes per formulation. The equipment has been proven equivalent to the formulation centre equipment, ensuring smooth transition from trial to commercial scale. Non-exec Director Rupert Barrett represents PCL on Chestnut's board.
• HoL Group (Hangers of London)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustomer partnership to develop sustainable biodegradable garment hangers and size markers. Chestnut formulated materials matched to mechanical specifications, provided on-site technical support during UK and international manufacturing trials (Turkey facility). Follow-up order for two tonnes placed for international scale-up.
• RS ComponentsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop biodegradable conductive packaging for integrated circuit carriers. Chestnut conducted extensive formulation campaign, validated ESD requirements and moulding specifications. Long-term supply agreement in place with all four tray designs in production.
• McLaren PlasticskeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUK-based moulder experienced in high-precision biopolymer processing. Collaborated with Chestnut to co-develop new hot-runner moulds tailored for CNX 400.00 material, enabling production of IC carrier trays for RS Components after incumbent moulder wound down operations.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NatureWorks: Global leader in PLA biopolymer resin manufacturing under the Ingeo brand. Directly comparable to Chestnut as a bio-based, biodegradable polymer resin producer selling drop-in or near-drop-in grades to converters serving packaging and durable goods markets.
• Danimer Scientific: Producer of PHA-based biopolymers (Nodax) for flexible packaging, coatings, and single-use applications. Directly comparable as a plant-oil/feedstock-based biodegradable resin supplier targeting the same drop-in replacement use cases Chestnut serves.
• TotalEnergies Corbion: Joint venture marketing Luminy PLA resins for packaging, durables, and fibres. Closely comparable to Chestnut's bio-based, biodegradable polymer resin portfolio and customer base of converters seeking drop-in alternatives to fossil plastics.
• Novamont: Italian producer of Mater-Bi biodegradable and compostable bioplastics (starch-based blends and PBAT). Directly comparable to Chestnut's starch-blend, plant-based biopolymer formulations aimed at packaging and single-use applications.

Emerging players

• Avantium: Developer of PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a plant-based, recyclable polyester positioned as a fossil-plastic alternative for packaging. Comparable as a specialty bio-based polymer resin innovator focused on drop-in-style performance for converters.
• BioLogiQ: Producer of bio-based and biodegradable polymer resins (NuPlastiQ) blended with conventional plastics. Comparable to Chestnut as a smaller bio-based resin developer targeting converters seeking partial or full replacement of fossil plastics.
• Plantic Technologies: Australian producer of starch-based biodegradable barrier films and resins for packaging. Comparable as a smaller plant-based biopolymer specialist with similar focus on drop-in performance for packaging applications.
• TIPA Corp: Developer of compostable bio-based films and laminates for flexible packaging. Comparable as a niche biodegradable material supplier targeting packaging converters, though more focused on films than on rigid drop-in injection moulding grades like Chestnut's CNX 100/200 series.

Broad incumbents

• Braskem: Large petrochemical incumbent producing 'I'm green' bio-based polyethylene from sugarcane as part of a broader polyolefin portfolio. Comparable in that it markets bio-based polyolefins as drop-in alternatives, but operates at much greater scale and as one product line within a wide conventional plastics business.
• BASF Ecovio / Europe-wide bioplastics team: Sells Ecovio, a compostable bioplastic blend (PLA/PBAT based) for packaging and agricultural film, as part of a much larger specialty and commodity chemicals portfolio. Comparable as a major incumbent serving converter customers with biodegradable resins, though competing from a much broader portfolio position.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chestnut-biopolymers-ltd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 CHESTNUT BIO POLYMERS LTD