Genera starts up ANDRITZ pulping and stock preparation systems for sustainable packaging production
Genera, a leading U.S. manufacturer of sustainable packaging, has successfully started up advanced non-wood pulping and stock preparation systems supplied by the international technology group ANDRITZ. The installation marks a key milestone in Genera’s large-scale expansion of its manufacturing facility in Vonore, Tennessee, where locally grown regenerative grasses are processed into sustainable packaging products.
To support this development, ANDRITZ delivered comprehensive pulping and stock preparation solutions designed to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality pulp for Genera’s thermoforming lines. These systems produce compostable, high-performance molded fiber packaging for food applications, promoting a circular economy and reducing dependence on fossil-based plastics.
The scope of supply from ANDRITZ included several refiners, stock preparation units, and additional pulp washing and dewatering equipment. Together, these components play a vital role in boosting Genera’s production capacity and operational efficiency while ensuring resource-efficient and environmentally responsible processes.
Genera and ANDRITZ first began their collaboration in 2019, when Genera ordered its initial non-wood pulping equipment. Since then, the partnership has continued to evolve, with ANDRITZ providing ongoing support, services, and key technologies to accompany Genera’s continued growth in the sustainable packaging sector.
“We were thrilled to continue our partnership with ANDRITZ as we expanded our production capabilities,” said Ben Mascarello, Chief Executive Officer of Genera. “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.”
About Genera
Genera is an integrated biorefinery and sustainable materials company headquartered in Vonore, Tennessee, partnering with local farmers to cultivate regenerative grasses that are transformed into compostable molded fiber and other biobased products. As North America’s largest vertically integrated producer of non-wood molded fiber packaging, Genera serves multiple markets – including food and consumer packaging, foodservice, retail, healthcare, and institutional sectors – through a circular, farm-to-compost model.
The company produces durable, high-quality packaging solutions that enable brands to achieve their sustainability objectives while supporting local economies and American agriculture. Its product portfolio includes both stock and custom options, with features such as film lamination, coatings, heat sealing, pad insertion, embossing, and printing – helping customers make sustainable choices without compromising quality or performance.
