Nature Compound Gmbh

What Nature Compound Gmbh does

Nature Compound GmbH is a privately held German specialty compounder founded on Earth Day 2021 in Schwerte, Germany, that develops and produces bio-based plastic compounds and finished plastic parts from renewable raw materials including starch, cellulose, chalk, and kaolin. The company operates a vertically integrated model spanning in-house R&D, materials testing (tensile, melt flow, impact, hardness, moisture), twin-screw extrusion compounding on two Leistritz lines (ZSE35iMAXX at 200 kg/h and ZSE60iMAXX at 600 kg/h), prototyping via 3D printing and thermoforming, and downstream series production through thermoforming and injection molding under its LUMO sub-brand. Its proprietary NatureForm product family is differentiated into multiple grades—HC (home-compostable, food-contact approved), HT (high heat resistance up to 100°C, ISCC Plus certified), Flex (elastomeric), Papyrus (fibrous film with 75% lower greenhouse gas emissions versus PET), Yellu (97% renewable content), and Basic (universal biobased).

The company generates revenue through both standard catalog compound sales and bespoke custom compound development, supplemented by prototyping, thermoforming, and injection molding services. Pricing is quote-based with test material available from 25 kg minimum order quantities; no public pricing is disclosed. Go-to-market is direct-to-customer via the company website, email inquiries, LinkedIn, and Instagram, with no distributor or reseller channel. Customers span packaging and consumer goods (primary segment), food industry, and technical/engineering applications including automotive interiors and appliance housings.

Nature Compound holds the BSFZ-Siegel R&D certification, the 2023 IHK Gründerpreis founders' award, and ISCC Plus mass balance certification for its HT line. It is a member of the Green Harbor sustainability network alongside GreenFoilNature, Beutler Packaging, and CarbonX, and joined the Werkstoffforum der Zukunft at the start of 2026. The company has 11–50 employees, has not disclosed external funding or revenue, and remains under founder/management ownership led by CEO Niclas Beutler, CTO Sebastian Meyer, and R&D Director Dr. Alexander Piontek.

Name

Nature Compound Gmbh

Legal name

Nature Compound GmbH

Website

https://nature-compound.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nature Compound GmbH is a German specialty compounder founded in 2021 that develops bio-based plastic compounds and finished molded parts from renewable raw materials (cellulose, starch, chalk, kaolin), selling its NatureForm product line and LUMO injection molding services to packaging, food, and technical-industry customers in Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioplastic Compounds and Sustainable Plastics Manufacturing

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins (325991)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends) (IMANABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, starch blends) (IMANAAAG), Biodegradable Packaging Materials (films, trays, foams) (IMAEAOAB)

Keywords

• Bioplastic compounds
• Bio-based plastics
• Compounding services
• Injection molding
• Thermoforming production

Headquarters

HQ city

Schwerte

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bio-based compound sales: Sale of proprietary bioplastic compound product lines under the NatureForm brand (including HC, HT, Flex, Papyrus, Z12, Yellu variants). Customers can select from standard portfolio compounds or commission custom-formulated compounds tailored to specific application requirements.
2. Custom compound development services: Bespoke R&D and material development services where the company collaborates with customers to develop custom-compounded materials matched to specific performance, sustainability, and processing requirements. Development projects are coordinated from concept through to series production.
3. Prototyping services: Prototype manufacturing combining 3D printing and thermoforming to produce samples and small series from customer-specified or company-provided bioplastic compounds. Enables rapid validation of product concepts before full production commitment.
4. Thermoforming production: Series thermoforming production of finished parts from bio-based films. The company manufactures deep-drawn trays and components for food packaging and other applications using their proprietary Papyrus and other film-grade compounds.
5. Injection molding production (LUMO brand): Series injection molding production under the LUMO brand, producing molded parts from sustainable plastics. Equipment includes Victory 860/260 tech and Victory 1060/260 tech machines with shot weights from 5 to 500g and tool dimensions up to 1000 x 1100 mm.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nature Compound develops and produces bio-based plastic compounds and bioplastics from renewable raw materials (starch, cellulose) and mineral components (chalk, kaolin) under the NatureForm brand. The company runs a vertically integrated operation covering custom compound development, in-house compounding via twin-screw extrusion, materials testing, prototyping (3D printing and thermoforming), and series production through thermoforming and injection molding (LUMO brand). Customers can purchase standard catalog compounds or commission bespoke formulations tailored to specific performance, sustainability, and processing requirements.

Product overview

Nature Compound GmbH offers a portfolio of biobased bioplastic compounds under the NatureForm brand, supplemented by a full suite of design, testing, prototyping, and manufacturing services. The NatureForm compound line includes multiple product families differentiated by properties: NatureForm HC (home-compostable), NatureForm HT (high heat-resistant up to 100°C), NatureForm Flex (elastomeric/flexible), NatureForm Papyrus (fibrous film/thermoforming material), and NatureForm Yellu (high renewable content up to 97%). Custom individual compound formulations are also developed on-demand. The company provides end-to-end capabilities spanning in-house R&D, material testing, prototyping via 3D printing and thermoforming, compound manufacturing via dual-screw extrusion (200–600 kg/h), thermoforming production, and injection molding under the LUMO sub-brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LUMO: Injection molding brand for sustainable plastic parts, operating under Nature Compound GmbH.
• NatureForm

Products and services

• NatureForm HC 04 Bio-based injection molding compound with 20-40% renewable raw material content (cellulose), garden-compostable, food contact approved (EU 10/2011), heat resistant up to 70°C, good flow properties, flexible and impact resistant. Targeted at packaging and consumer goods manufacturers seeking home-compostable alternatives.
• NatureForm HC 05 Bio-based injection molding compound containing 40% renewable raw materials (cellulose), with renewable content adjustable up to 65-95% depending on application requirements.
• NatureForm Basic 100% bio-based universal paper injection molding compound, formulated for use in conventional injection molding machines without fossil raw materials.
• NatureForm HT 08 Bio-based compound consisting of 75% renewable raw materials (cellulose), hydrolysis- and UV-stabilized, industrially compostable, suitable for injection molding and extrusion applications.
• NatureForm HT 04 100% bio-based high heat-resistant injection molding compound with heat deflection temperature of 100°C, suitable for demanding thermal applications.
• NatureForm HT 04a Bio-based injection molding compound with high heat resistance, specifically formulated for injection molding processes.
• NatureForm HT 10 Bio-based compound made from renewable raw materials, recyclable in closed-loop systems, offering flexible and impact-resistant properties.
• NatureForm Flex Bio-based injection molding compound with elastomeric properties, offering increased flexibility compared to other NatureForm product groups, suitable for applications such as textiles.
• NatureForm Flex 04 Flexible bio-based compound with elastomeric characteristics for injection molding applications, part of the Flex product line.
• NatureForm Yellu Bio-based injection molding compound consisting of 97% renewable raw materials (cellulose), with good flowability and individual coloring capability.
• NatureForm Papyrus Fibrous bio-based material for film and thermoforming applications, heat resistant up to 50°C, free of BPA and PFAS, available as film in custom formats or as finished thermoformed parts.
• NatureForm Papyrus F Fibrous bio-based film/thermoforming material with 75% fewer greenhouse gases than comparable PET variants, industrially compostable, food-contact approved (EU/2011), free of BPA and PFAS, heat resistant up to approximately 50°C.
• NatureForm Individual (Custom Compound Development) Custom-developed compounds tailored to specific customer requirements, created through in-house R&D using renewable raw materials, mineral components, and proprietary formulations.
• Material and Compound Development (R&D Services) In-house laboratory development of custom bio-based granules, with capability to produce test specimens for material characterization and initial final products using internal production facilities and R&D department.
• Compound Manufacturing (Extrusion Services) Industrial-scale compounding using Leistritz twin-screw extruders — ZSE35iMAXX (200 kg/h throughput) and ZSE60iMAXX (600 kg/h throughput) — producing bioplastic granules from renewable and mineral raw materials.
• Material Testing (Quality Assurance Services) Comprehensive material testing including tensile testing (DIN EN ISO 527-2, max. 5kN), melt flow index testing (MFR/MVR per DIN EN ISO 1133), impact testing (Charpy/Izod per DIN EN ISO 197/180), hardness testing (Shore A/D), residual moisture measurement, and heat chamber conditioning.
• Prototype Development (3D Printing and Thermoforming) Custom prototype services combining 3D printing (420 x 420 x 500 mm build volume) and thermoforming (430 x 280 mm frame, 160 mm draw depth), enabling rapid prototyping of deep-drawn parts and series components from in-house or cast resin molds.
• Thermoforming Production Services Thermoforming production of bio-based film into functional products in series, including inline cutting, with automated manufacturing and full-service project support from concept to series production.
• LUMO (Injection Molding Production) Injection molding brand operated by Nature Compound, producing precision parts, housings, household appliance components, and automotive parts from sustainable bioplastics using Victory 860/260 tech and Victory 1060/260 tech injection molding machines (shot weights 5-500 g, tool dimensions up to 1000 x 1100 mm) with fully automated part removal.

Quantifiable outcome

• NatureForm Papyrus produces 75% less greenhouse gases than a comparable PET variant
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Green HarborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature Compound is a member of the Green Harbor network, a sustainability-focused alliance in the plastics industry. Green Harbor brings together companies united for a sustainable future. As a network member, Nature Compound collaborates with other specialty companies to offer comprehensive, resource-efficient solutions to customers.
• GreenFoilNaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner within the Green Harbor network specializing in innovative adhesive and barrier solutions. Collaboration enables the network to offer comprehensive sustainable packaging and material solutions combining Nature Compound's bio-compounds with GreenFoilNature's barrier technologies.
• Beutler PackagingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPackaging specialist partner within the Green Harbor network. Works with Nature Compound and other partners to deliver complete sustainable packaging solutions to customers seeking to replace conventional plastics.
• CarbonXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner within the Green Harbor network specializing in CO2 footprint analysis and optimization. Enables customers to assess and optimize the environmental impact of products made with Nature Compound's materials.
• Werkstoffforum der Zukunft (Future Materials Forum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature Compound became an official network partner at the beginning of 2026. The partnership promotes a viable circular economy in the plastics industry through exchange between business and science, enabling new circular business models and strengthening competitiveness, while contributing to regional value creation.
• FGW (Forschungsgesellschaft für Werkstoffe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in a research initiative validating a disruptive gripping system design with compliant structures (Phase II). Nature Compound acts as an applied industrial partner in plastics processing, ensuring practical relevance and supporting preparation for commercial implementation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cardia Bioplastics: Australian producer of bio-based and biodegradable resin compounds (Cardia Biohybrid, Compostable). Competes with Nature Compound in sustainable resin supply for packaging, consumer goods, and films, with comparable product positioning though operating in a different geography.
• TotalEnergies Corbion: Joint venture producing Luminy PLA resins from renewable feedstocks. Competes directly with Nature Compound in supplying bio-based polymer resins for packaging, fibers, and durable goods, with a large-scale Thai production facility that dwarfs Nature Compound's capacity.
• Plantic Technologies: Australian manufacturer of bio-based, starch-based plastic films and trays for food packaging. Direct competitor in the bio-based thermoforming and food packaging segment where Nature Compound's NatureForm Papyrus also competes, with a comparable focus on drop-in renewable substitutes for PET and other fossil plastics.
• Danimer Scientific: US-based producer of PHA-based bioplastic resins (Nodax) for biodegradable and compostable applications. Direct competitor in bio-based, compostable polymer compounds for food packaging and food service, with overlap in target customers and end-use applications.
• FKuR Kunststoff GmbH: German specialty compounder of bio-based and biodegradable plastics (Bio-Flex, Biograde, Terralene). Operates in the same niche as Nature Compound, selling custom and catalog bioplastic compounds for film, injection molding, and extrusion applications, and represents the closest direct competitor by geography, product type, and customer focus.
• NatureWorks LLC: Global leader in PLA bioplastic resins (Ingeo). Competes with Nature Compound in the bio-based polymer supply market for packaging, food service, and consumer goods, with substantially larger scale. Highly relevant for benchmarking pricing, certification, and customer trajectory.
• Novamont S.p.A. Italian producer of Mater-Bi biodegradable bioplastic compounds derived from starch and other renewables. Direct competitor in bio-based, compostable compounds for packaging, food service, and agricultural applications, with a comparable specialty positioning and stronger scale.
• Bio-Fed GmbH: German subsidiary of Akro-Plastic specialized in bio-based and biodegradable plastics compounds (Terralene, Bio-Flex). Direct European specialty compounder competitor with similar catalog-plus-custom development model and shared customer profile in packaging and consumer goods.
• Biome Bioplastics: UK developer of bio-based and biodegradable bioplastic compounds for packaging and consumer products. Direct comparable in the specialty bio-compound space, with a similar focus on starch-based and PLA-blend formulations and custom development services.

Broad incumbents

• BASF SE: Global chemical major with the Ecovio line of biodegradable and bio-based plastics, plus a broader portfolio including compostable polymers and biopolymers. Competes with Nature Compound in food packaging and compostable applications, but as part of a vastly broader chemicals portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nature-compound-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/nature_compound

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Nature Compound Gmbh