U.S.-based sustainable packaging producer Genera has successfully started up advanced non-wood pulping and stock preparation systems supplied by Austrian technology group Andritz. The launch marks a key milestone in the company’s large-scale expansion of its facility in Vonore, Tennessee, where locally grown regenerative grasses are transformed into compostable fibre-based packaging.
The new systems are designed to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality pulp for Genera’s thermoforming lines. The technology enables the production of moulded fibre packaging for the food industry—completely free of fossil-based materials—and supports the transition to a more circular economy.
– We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Andritz as we expand our production capacity, said Ben Mascarello, CEO of Genera, in a company statement. – Their pulping and stock preparation systems are essential to our mission of producing high-quality, compostable packaging. This expansion allows us to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging and reinforces our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Grass fibres at the heart of circular production
Genera’s Vonore facility uses regenerative grass crops cultivated in cooperation with local farmers. The raw material is processed into sustainable fibre products for use in food packaging, retail, healthcare, and other consumer sectors.
Andritz delivered a complete package including refiners, stock preparation equipment, and pulp washing and dewatering systems. Together, these components are designed to increase Genera’s production capacity and efficiency while minimising water and energy consumption.
The collaboration between Genera and Andritz began in 2019, when Genera ordered its first non-wood pulping system. Since then, Andritz has continued to provide technological support, services, and system upgrades to help Genera scale up its bio-based material operations.
Growing demand for fibre-based packaging
The demand for sustainable, plastic-free packaging continues to rise rapidly—especially in North America, where several states have introduced bans on single-use plastics. This regulatory shift has accelerated investment in compostable and recyclable alternatives.
Genera describes itself as North America’s largest vertically integrated producer of non-wood molded fibre packaging, managing the entire value chain from crop to finished product. The company offers both standard and custom solutions, including coated, heat-sealed, embossed, and printed packaging products.
According to Genera, the expansion in Vonore not only reduces dependence on fossil-based materials but also strengthens the local agricultural economy through long-term partnerships with regional farmers.
Fact check
Andritz is an international technology group headquartered in Austria, specialising in process equipment for the pulp, paper, and energy industries. The company supplies systems for a wide range of bio-based and circular production projects worldwide.
Genera, based in Vonore, Tennessee, manufactures compostable fibre packaging from locally grown grasses and is considered a pioneer in the U.S. bioeconomy.
Source: Andritz / Genera, press release, November 11, 2025
