Natur-Tec India and Bayer Partner on Compostable Seedling Cups for Sustainable Agriculture
MUMBAI, India / MONHEIM, Germany — Natur-Tec India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC) and a pioneer in compostable biopolymers, and Bayer, a global leader in agricultural innovation, recently announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop biodegradable and compostable seedling cups designed to transform nursery practices and advance sustainable agriculture.
The collaboration aims to eliminate single-use plastic nursery cups, while ensuring full compatibility with widely used nematicides and fungicides. The cups will be engineered to support seedling development during early growth stages, even when exposed to crop protection treatments, supporting uncompromised germination rates, root development, and seedling vigour.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to developing practical and cost-effective solutions that benefit farmers and strengthen farming ecosystems,” said Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. “It advances agricultural practices that are both scalable and sustainable, in line with Bayer’s commitment to regenerative agriculture.”
Compostable Design for Circular Nursery Systems
The compostable seedling cups are designed to break down naturally within transplant cycles, eliminating nursery waste and supporting a circular economy. Drawing on Bayer’s crop science capabilities and Natur-Tec’s expertise in compostable biopolymers, the partnership delivers a solution that is as practical for farmers as it is sustainable for the planet.
“Our collaboration with Bayer goes beyond replacing conventional single-use plastics. It’s about building nursery systems that work with nature rather than against it to create solutions that are practical for farmers today and responsible for the planet tomorrow,” said Vineet Dalal, Vice President and Director, Global Market Development for Natur-Tec. “We’re proud to leverage our expertise in compostable biopolymers to drive innovation that can genuinely move the needle for sustainable agriculture. This partnership is another example of how leading organizations are turning to Natur-Tec to leverage our technical capabilities, materials science know-how, and proven compostable solutions platform to solve complex sustainability challenges.”
Pilot Trials and Global Scaling Plan
Pilot trials will begin in vegetable and fruit nurseries across India, measuring germination, growth parameters, and yield outcomes. Following successful validation, both companies plan to scale the innovation across India and globally.
Technical Requirements
The seedling cups must meet several critical performance criteria:
- Biodegradability: Break down within transplant cycles under composting conditions
- Chemical compatibility: Resist degradation when exposed to nematicides and fungicides
- Structural integrity: Maintain form during nursery handling and transport
- Root development support: Enable healthy root penetration and air exchange
- Cost competitiveness: Practical economics for farmer adoption
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Natur-Tec (Natur-Tec India Private Limited) is a subsidiary of Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC), a global leader in corrosion prevention and compostable biopolymer technologies. Natur-Tec specializes in compostable biopolymers for packaging, agriculture, and food service applications, with manufacturing capabilities in India and the US.
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition. Its Crop Science division provides innovative solutions for agriculture, from seeds and traits to crop protection and digital farming tools. Bayer is committed to regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems.
Source: Natur-Tec press release, July 1, 2026