Overview
Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC) is a specialty materials and chemicals manufacturer headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota. Founded in 1972, NTIC is a leading developer of bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds. The company’s Natur-Tec® brand is the flagship line of biobased, compostable plastics engineered to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics with 100% certified biodegradable and compostable alternatives.
Core Business: Natur-Tec Bioplastics
Natur-Tec Brand Overview:
- Proprietary formulations of biodegradable polymers and natural materials
- 100% biobased, non-toxic alternatives to conventional plastics
- No polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene content
- Patented ReX Process manufacturing technology
- Global manufacturing and R&D capabilities
Material Composition:
- Biodegradable polymer blends
- Natural material reinforcement
- Proprietary stabilization technology
- Food-contact compliant formulations
- Cost-competitive pricing
Natur-Tec Product Portfolio
Flexible Films & Extrusion:
- Film extrusion for bags and flexible packaging
- Extrusion coatings for paper and cardboard
- Custom thickness and performance grades
- Food wrap and protective films
Rigid Injection-Molded Products:
- Injection-molded rigid packaging
- Durable consumer product components
- Food service containers
- Industrial application parts
Foam & Specialized Materials:
- Foam extrusion for cushioning
- Specialized compound formulations
- High-performance applications
- Custom blends for specific uses
Engineered Plastics:
- Performance-optimized polymer blends
- Application-specific formulations
- Advanced property combinations
- Proprietary ReX Process variants
Consumer Products & Applications
Certified Compostable Products:
- Shopping and grocery bags (home & industrial compostable)
- Lawn and leaf bags
- Can liners and waste collection bags
- Pet waste collection bags
- Disposable cutlery and utensils
- Food service containers
Biodegradation Timeline:
- Complete biodegradation within 180 days in composting environment
- Industrial composting standard compliance
- Home composting capable variants
- Soil biodegradation certified grades
Manufacturing & Production
ReX Process Technology:
- NTIC’s proprietary manufacturing process
- Produces stable biobased polymer resin formulations
- Unique morphology for optimal properties
- Consistent quality and performance
Global Manufacturing:
- Production facilities: USA, China, India, Malaysia, Italy
- Research & Development: USA, India, China
- Multi-continent manufacturing capability
- Distributed supply chain
Certifications & Standards:
- ASTM D6400 (industrial composability)
- ASTM D6868 (food-contact applications)
- European compostability standards
- Home compostable certifications
Strategic Partnerships & Distribution
Regional Distributors:
- Naturfuels: Italian market distributor (2024+)
- Growing network of global partners
- Technical support for converters and manufacturers
Strategic Alliances:
- ITC Limited (India): Joint development of biopolymer-paper products
- Focus on Indian market development
- Collaborative product innovation
- Regional manufacturing expansion
Market Expansion:
- Natur-Tec India Private Limited formation
- Asian market penetration
- Technology transfer to regional partners
- Localized product development
Sustainability Features
Product Benefits:
- 100% biobased, non-toxic composition
- Complete biodegradation in composting
- No environmental persistence
- Zero microplastic concerns
- Renewable feedstock sourcing
Environmental Impact:
- Replaces 485 million metric tons of plastic waste annually
- Reduces landfill impact
- Compostable infrastructure compatibility
- Agricultural benefit through composting output
Investor Profile
Public Company:
- NASDAQ listed (NTIC)
- Diversified specialty materials portfolio
- Established market presence since 1972
- Growing bioplastics segment
Business Segments:
- Natur-Tec: Bioplastics (growth focus)
- Specialty Chemicals: Corrosion management solutions
- Materials: Specialty additives and compounds
Market Position
NTIC’s Natur-Tec is:
- A leading U.S. bioplastics manufacturer
- Global supplier to packaging industry
- Trusted by major consumer brands
- Positioned for single-use plastic ban compliance
- Supporting circular economy transition
Last updated: February 27, 2026