The Lenzing Group, together with BILLA - an Austrian local supplier with over 1,088 branches in Austria itself - now offers consumers alternative solutions to plastic packaging. Its newly launched multi-use nets for fruit and vegetables made from LENZING ™ modal fibers have been receiving great reviews: since the introduction of reusable nets in November 2018, more than 138,000 units have already been sold at BILLA, MERKUR and ADEG. Due to them being in high demand, the environmentally friendly packaging has been made available in all BILLA stores throughout Austria since the beginning of February 2019.
Robert Malinowsky and Marina Crnoja-Cosic of Lenzing AG also presented their reusable nets at this year's Biofach in Nuremberg.
Totally sustainable
The reusable nets of the Lenzing Group, all made from wood-based fibers, are offering a decisive ecological advantage over conventional plastic bags for fruit and vegetables. This is because the material they are made of is of natural origin and is therefore biodegradable and compostable in waste. Microparticles, which enter the wastewater during washing of the nets, quickly become part of the natural cycle and therefore leave no harmful residues in rivers or oceans.
"Sustainability is fully anchored in BILLA's corporate strategy. Therefore, we are pleased to be able to offer an alternative to plastic with this innovative packaging solution, and in this way to do something actively together with our customers to protect the environment," says Robert Nagele, BILLA Board Spokesman.
The vegetable nets / Image: Lenzing AG
Smart Packaging 2.0
"Consumers can buy the reusable nets and nets for vegetables and fruit from Lenzing Group fibers with a clear conscience. Because they are not only practical, but also contribute significantly to the protection of the environment. They are an expression of Lenzing's leading role in sustainability in the entire fiber industry," says Lenzing CEO Stefan Doboczky.
The reusable nets are optimally suited for food, as confirmed by manufacturer VPZ Verpackungszentrum GmbH. The breathing, moisture-regulating properties will keep fruit and vegetables fresh for up to three days longer. The sustainable nets have already been awarded the State Prize for Smart Packaging, which is awarded by the Federal Ministry for Digitization and Business Location, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism.
The process from wood to the final product / Image: Lenzing AG
Cellulosic networks at the POS
The Packnatur® reusable nets on wood basis are manufactured by VPZ packing center GmbH in Graz from LENZING ™ Modal Fibers. Since 2014, BILLA has been using cellulosic meshes made of LENZING ™ fibers, which are used in organic vegetables and organic fruits. The citrus fruits are also largely converted to the cellulose network. With the reusable net, an additional sustainable packaging solution for permanent use has now been found.
For more information:
Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
4860 Lenzing, Österreich
Werkstraße 2
Telephone: +43 7672 701 0
Telefax: +43 7672 701 3880
E-Mail: office@lenzing.com
www.lenzing.com
Roland Arbesleitner
Segment Manager Packaging
r.arbesleitner@lenzing.com
+43 676 7915533
Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic
Head of Business Management Industrial Applications
m.crnoja@lenzing.com
+43 664 6112551