We are
Shortly after Helmut Meininger founded VPZ as a food packaging company in Graz, Austria, in 1982, he and his daughter Susanne Meininger turned the focus of product development towards the environment. They weren’t driven by profitability, but rather a strong belief that they could do things differently – and better. For mankind and the environment. The fruits of their creative labours, as well as their desire to play an active role in shaping the future, came in the form of innovative biogenic packaging concepts.
The breakthrough came after 25 years of research. Compostable net packaging, better known today as the Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting, was the product that finally turned their convictions into reality – an ingenious packaging solution that left its forerunners standing and was incapable of harming the environment. Meanwhile, Packnatur® Tube Netting is used in all leading European supermarket chains for potatoes, onions, citrus fruits, etc. and is currently taking over the international market, including the USA, South Africa and New Zealand.
For the Swiss Coop we developed a reusable, cellulose-based bag for loose fruit and vegetables, which was launched under the name of ‘Multi-bag’ in their stores in November 2017.
2019 was the year in which we took another step into the future. The new Packnatur® Entwicklungs- und Produktions GmbH company was founded with headquarters in Neudau, Styria. With a past steeped in the textile industry, Neudau’s history is now being continued here with our beechwood-based Packnatur® net packaging. Besides creating new jobs, we have also opened up new prospects for the local textile industry.
The four expansion stages, involving more machines and additional production halls, were co-financed with funds from the European Regional Development Fund. More information can be found at www.efre.gv.at .
On 01.07.2024, VPZ Verpackungszentrum GmbH and Packnatur Entwicklungs- und Produktions GmbH were merged to form Packnatur GmbH.
The full expansion of the Neudau plant for the production of wood-based net packaging was achieved with the commissioning of the fourth production hall in January 2024. Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting is a compostable alternative to plastic that can be used 1:1 on existing packaging machines.
In order to optimise our efforts and resources, we have merged our trading company, VPZ Verpackungszentrum GmbH, as the transferring company, with its sister company, Packnatur Entwicklungs- und Produktions GmbH. As of 1 July 2024, we are called Packnatur GmbH and are concentrating entirely on our Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting.
towards the future
1982
Founding of the VPZ Verpackungszentrum company
by Helmut Meininger
1989
Daughter Susanne Meininger takes over the reins and the company begins
to focus on biogenic packaging
1997 *
Launch of the research project “Textile net packaging made from natural fibres”, funded by the Austrian government as part of the Factory of the Future (Fabrik der Zukunft) initiative. Work begins developing a machine that will produce woven net bags.
*This was the year that the first large accumulation of ocean plastic was found: the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
2011
Launch of the ‘Cellulose tube netting’ research project in cooperation with Lenzing AG, the yarn manufacturer Borckenstein, and the vegetable growers’ organisation Marchfeldgemüse.
2012
Market launch of the Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting for Ja! Natürlich products
2015
Internationalisation begins
2016
Registration of the Packnatur® brand name
2016
Market launch of the Packnatur® Organic Wineglass Labels
2017
Market launch of the Packnatur® Reusable Bag
2019
The Packnatur Entwicklungs- und Produktionsges.m.b.H. was founded
Production of the Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting began
Founding of a Centre of Excellence for Textile Packaging in Neudau in Styria, Austria
2020
Market launch of the Packnatur® Pop-up Bags
2020
Expansion stage 2 of Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting production in Neudau, Austria
2022
Expansion stage 3 of Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting production in Neudau, Austria
2023
Expansion stage 4 of Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting production in Neudau, Austria
2024
Merger of VPZ Verpackungszentrum GmbH and
Packnatur Entwicklungs- und Produktions GmbH to Packnatur GmbH
to have won these awards
2024
Packnatur® Partner Jac.Vandenberg wins PAC Global Award in the category “Sustainable Packaging Design/Circularity”
2023
Packnatur® Partner Jac.Vandenberg wins US Plastics Pact Sustainable Packaging Innovation Award with wooden nets
2023
Austria’s Leading Companies, 13th in Styria (Austria)
2022
Honorary Primus Business Award
by Kleine Zeitung
2022
Susanne Meininger is
“Female Entrepreneur of the Year”
2022
Innovation Award Styria for Packnatur Neudau
2021
HIPE (High Performance) Award
2021
Handelsmerkur
2021
Green Packaging Star Award for Packnatur® Pop-up Bag
2021
ranked as „World´s 18th Best Designer in 2021,
category Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design“
at the international A´ Design Award
2020
Worldstar Packaging Award
for the Packnatur® Pick Pack reusable bag
made from beechwood cellulose
2019
Sustainable Food Awards /
Sustainable Packaging category / Runner-Up
2019
Rushlight Awards Commended 2018/19
2018
Austrian State Prize
for Smart Packaging in the B2C category
2018
Worldstar Packaging Award
for the Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting and Organic Wineglass Labels
in the Food Packaing category,
Sustainable Award (Silver), Presidential Award (Bronze),
Lifetime Achievement Award for company founder Helmut Meininger
2018
Energy Globe Styria Award in the Global category
2017
Green Packaging Star Award
2017
European CEO Entrepreneur of the Year Award /
Western Europe / Packaging Industry
2016
National Champion at the European Business Awards 2016/17
2016
Green Product Award
2016
6th place in the world ranking of all A´ Design Award
entrants from the last 8 years in the Sustainable Products,
Projects and Green Design category
2015
Among the top 3 in the International Green Tec Awards
in the Manufacturing category
2014
Green Packaging Star Award
2014
International A´ Design Award (Silver) in the Sustainable
Products and Projects category / Green Design Award
2013
Ögut Environmental Award
2013
International Materialica Design + Technology Award in the CO2 Efficiency category
2013
Fast Forward Award
(a business and innovation award from the Austrian state of Styria)
2013
Fibre Plus
(award from the Austrian paper industry for innovations using cellulose)
2013
Energy Globe Award Styria
2012
Commendation for the cellulose tube netting
as an ‘Exemplary packaging solution’ at the Austrian
State Prize for Packaging
2012
Daphne Environmental Technology Award (Bronze)
for the Cellulose Tube Netting
2004
The Trigos Award for the development of organic net bags
2001
Eco-Design-Preis
1997
Environmental Protection Award from the City of Graz
1995
Environmental Protection Award from the Styrian state government
1995
Innovation Award from the Styrian Chamber of Commerce
