Novamont
EMEA
Novara
,
Italy
Established
FOUNDED
1989
HEADCOUNT
101-500
FUNDING
Subsidiary
Keywords:
fermentation, bioplastics, organic_acids, metabolic_engineering, specialty_chemicals, bacteria
BUSINESS
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Novara, Italy, Novamont produces biodegradable and compostable bioplastics, biopolymers, and bio-based intermediates, best known for the Mater-Bi family of starch- and bio-polyester-based compostable plastics used in carrier bags, agricultural mulch film, food packaging, and catering items. The company was acquired in full by Versalis (the chemicals subsidiary of Eni) in October 2023, with approximately 600 employees and four Italian production sites at Terni, Patrica, Adria, and Bottrighe. In June 2025 the Italian Competition Authority issued an adverse decision against Novamont, which the company has stated it intends to challenge.
BIOTECH INVOLVEMENT
Industrial biotech is central to upstream feedstock supply through Mater-Biotech in Adria, which operates a commercial-scale fermentation plant for bio-1,4-butanediol using engineered Escherichia coli technology licensed from Genomatica. The bio-BDO is converted into Origo-Bi biopolyesters that form the polymer backbone of fourth-generation Mater-Bi. Other sites focus on starch processing, vegetable oil-based monomers, and polymer compounding rather than fermentation.
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
fermentation-derived monomers; biopolymer production
PRIMARY PRODUCTS
Mater-Bio bioplastics