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Maip Group

MaterialsSettimo Torinese, ItalyFounded 1962· One of 955 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

Italian leader in advanced polymer compounding and distribution of thermoplastic raw materials, specializing in innovative and sustainable material solutions with integrated R&D, technical consulting, and custom formulation capabilities.

CEO / Founder
Eligio Martini
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$17M
Latest Round
Private Equity
Key Investors
Haruki SpA; Plastotecnica

Technology & Products

Key Products

["IamNature® bioplastics (PHA/PHBH-based, compostable compounds in powder and granules)","Cherbio™ family (chemical recycling biobased compounds with Eastman molecular recycling technology, ISCC Plus certified)","BIOS bioplastic family (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 subfamilies with various technical specifications)","Technical compounds (engineering plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, synthetic rubbers, nanocomposite materials)","Recycled compounds for circular economy applications","Aquafinder (revolutionary drying control technology)","Ecomolding (special molding technology)","Plasma treatment systems (TIGRES GmbH atmospheric pressure plasma)","Ink testing and surface treatment services","Mold flow analysis and simulation"]

Technological Advantage

Integrated value chain from raw material sourcing through custom compounding to technical application support; access to over 500 PHA formulations from Bio-On acquisition; ability to create tailor-made compounds with up to 50% certified recycled content through molecular recycling partnerships; in-house research laboratory for custom formulation development; specialized surface treatment and molding optimization technologies

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Delivers sustainable polymer solutions that combine biobased/recycled content with high technical performance; integrates four complementary activities (distribution, compounding, agency, R&D consulting) to provide end-to-end support; enables circular economy with molecular recycling and biodegradable PHA materials certified for industrial compostability

How They Differentiate

Only Italian company in technical polymer field combining four complementary activities: distribution, compounding production, agency services, and high-tech R&D consulting. Exclusive provider of IamNature® PHBH-based bioplastics with 500+ formulations from Bio-On acquisition, multiyear strategic partnership with Eastman for molecular recycling technology (Cherbio™), and specialized surface treatment technologies (TIGRES plasma systems).

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Automotive OEMs (including Stellantis), industrial manufacturers, packaging companies, luxury goods/eyewear brands, consumer appliance manufacturers, electrical/electronics companies, medical device manufacturers

Industry Verticals

["Automotive","Building & Construction","Packaging","Eyewear & Luxury Goods","Medical Devices","Consumer Appliances","Electrical & Electronics","Textile","Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)"]

Competitors

Novamont; Meraxis Group; PlasticFinder

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Post-Bio-On acquisition: launching 500+ new PHA-based formulations; constructing €40M bioplastics production facility (2023-2025); named finalist for Stellantis Supplier Awards 2024

Major Milestones

["Founded 1962 as thermoplastic distributor","1986: Transformation to industrial production and compounding under Eligio Martini","2017: Won 12th Global Bioplastics Award for IamNature® PHBH compound","2020: Multiyear strategic partnership with Eastman for sustainable polymers","2023: Acquired Bio-On assets through Haruki SpA with €20M investment","2023: Announced €40M investment in new bioplastics production facility in Settimo Torinese","2024: Named finalist at Stellantis Supplier Awards","2025: Launched BIOntier research program for biocomposites sector","2025: Joined ReGenesis Protocol with Studio Lisa Tavazzani for sustainable luxury supply chains"]

Notable Customers

Stellantis (nominated supplier, 2024 Supplier Awards finalist); Eastman Chemical (strategic partner); Studio Lisa Tavazzani (ReGenesis Protocol collaboration for luxury eyewear); ABB (IamNature® bioplastics application for light switch covers)

Why this company matters

Maip Group occupies a distinctive position in the European polymer landscape as the only Italian technical polymer company that combines four complementary activities: raw material distribution, custom compounding, agency services, and high-tech R&D consulting. Founded in 1962 as a thermoplastic distributor, the company transformed into an industrial compounder in the 1980s and has since evolved into a sustainable materials innovator. Its integrated model allows it to serve as both a material supplier and a technical partner, bridging the gap between commodity thermoplastics and high-performance biopolymers.

The company's core technology portfolio centers on biobased and recycled compounds. Its IamNature® line uses PHBH to produce fully compostable compounds available in powder and granule form, suitable for injection molding and 3D printing filament applications. Through a multiyear strategic partnership with Eastman Chemical, Maip developed the Cherbio™ family of compounds that incorporate molecular recycling and carry ISCC Plus certification, enabling up to 50% certified recycled content. The 2023 acquisition of Bio-On assets added over 500 PHA formulations and production technologies.

Customer segments span automotive OEMs (Stellantis is a nominated supplier), luxury eyewear (collaboration with Studio Lisa Tavazzani), consumer appliances (ABB uses IamNature® for light switch covers), and additive manufacturing. For AM applications, Maip's bioplastic powders and granules offer an alternative to petroleum-based filaments and sintering powders, particularly for customers seeking compostable or recycled-content materials. The company also distributes TIGRES atmospheric pressure plasma systems for surface treatment, which can improve adhesion in multi-material 3D printed parts.

Maip's strategic moat lies in its vertically integrated R&D-to-production model and its exclusive access to Bio-On's PHA IP. The planned €40 million bioplastics production facility signals a bet on scaled biopolymer manufacturing. However, the company faces competition from larger compounders like Novamont and from digital material marketplaces such as PlasticFinder. The open question is whether Maip can translate its formulation expertise and Eastman partnership into a dominant position in the emerging market for AM-grade sustainable polymers.