The Graz Packaging Center (VPZ) became a pioneer in biodegradable packaging with its introduction of fruit and vegetable nets made from cellulose fibers. The idea to use cellulose fibers, produced by Lenzing AG from beechwood, as the raw material for fruit and vegetable nets turned into a success story. "A milestone for us was when Rewe decided eleven years ago to sell its organic products not in plastic nets, but in our biogenic nets," Managing Director Susanne Meininger states.
Cellulose netting from VPZ.
The growing company now boasts four production halls in Eastern Styria. Today, the "Packnatur" nets are not only found in all major supermarket chains across Europe but also in the US and New Zealand. Europe alone uses 30,000 tons of fruit and vegetable nets annually. Thanks to the efforts of the Graz-based company, five to seven percent of these are no longer made from plastic, but from cellulose. The raw material for this comes from the thinning of local forests. "We have shown that plastic is not necessary. It does make us proud that we, as a family, could make a difference," Meininger is pleased to say.
For more information:
VPZ VERPACKUNGSZENTRUM GMBH
Messendorfgrund 30, Top 1B
8042 Graz
Phone: +43.316.272568.0
Fax: +43.316.272568.50
Email: office@vpz.at
Web: www.vpz.at