Natur-Tec Chosen for IFPA’s Packaging Innovation Program — Northern Technologies International Corporation

Event summary

Natur-Tec, a unit of Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC), selected for the 2026 IFPA Packaging Innovation Program.
$5 million USDA-backed program aims to develop sustainable packaging solutions for U.S. specialty crop exporters.
Natur-Tec will focus on commercializing PFAS- and PVDC-free compostable barrier laminates for moisture-sensitive produce.
Program addresses regulatory pressures in EU, Canada, UK, Japan, and Australia.

The big picture

The selection highlights the growing pressure on U.S. agricultural exporters to adopt sustainable packaging solutions amid tightening regulations in key international markets. The IFPA program, backed by USDA funding, underscores the strategic importance of developing compliant, high-performance alternatives to traditional plastics. Natur-Tec’s focus on compostable barrier laminates positions it at the forefront of this regulatory-driven shift.

What we're watching

Regulatory Compliance: How Natur-Tec’s PFAS- and PVDC-free solutions will perform against evolving EU and Canadian packaging regulations.
Market Adoption: The pace at which U.S. specialty crop exporters transition to compostable packaging amid global regulatory shifts.
Commercialization Risk: Whether Natur-Tec can scale production of its barrier laminates to meet demand from produce exporters.