A garbage slick the size of Germany is drifting in the Pacific. Using packaging that is biodegradable not only limits the drain on fossil resources but also allows biodegradable substances to enter the supply chain. The Verpackungszentrum Graz has successfully made a step in this direction by developing tubular nets using compostable Modal cellulose fibres from thinning of home forests. The nets first appeared on supermarket shelves at Rewe Austria in December 2012. 10 tonnes of plastic can be saved by Rewe alone, simply by changing the packaging for organic potatoes, onions and citrus fruit.

The Austrian based trading company VERPACKUNGSZENTRUM GRAZ is a family enterprise which has specialised on biogenic packaging. Since more than 20 years Verpackungszentrum Graz has invested in research into new packaging alternatives: BIO NET PACKAGING MADE FROM CELLULOSE in cooperation with textile engineers, PLANT DYED NET PACKAGING in cooperation with the Institute of Textile Chemistry of the University Innsbruck / Austria, ALGINSULATE FOAMS MADE FROM SEA ALGAE and BIOPOLYMERS MADE FROM ACRICULTURAL WASTE MATERIALS in cooperation with the University of Technology Graz / Austria.

The Austrian based trading company Verpackungszentrum Graz is a family enterprise which has specialised on biogenic packaging: Net tubes made from cellulose, net bags made from natural fibres, paper packaging, mechanical woodpulp, paper pulp packaging, fast food tableware made from cane sugar bagasse, wooden cutlery, cutlery made from cellulose, packaging made from starch or packaging made from PLA. Since more than 20 years Verpackungszentrum Graz has invested in research into new packaging alternatives. R&D Projects: 1. Bio net packaging made from cellulose in cooperation with textile engineers, 2. Plant dyed net packaging in cooperation with the Institute of Textile Chemistry of the University Innsbruck, 3. Alginsulate foams made from sea algae in cooperation with the Institute of Process Engineering of the University of Technology Graz, 4. Biopolymers made from agricultural waste materials in cooperation with the Institute of Biotechnology of the University of Technology Graz. Awards (selection): 2014 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award (Nomination), 2013 Materialica Design + Technology Award Best of CO2, 2013 Fast Forward Award, 2013 Fibre Plus, 2013 Energy Globe Award Styria, 2010 Austrian Climate Protection Award (Nomination), 2007 Creative Graz Award, 2006 Rio-Award, 2004 Trigos (CSR), 2001 Austrian State Prize for Exemplary Packaging (Nomination), 1997 Emballissimo / Printissimo, 1994 Ms Susanne Meininger Austria´s Top Young Manager of the Year.