After receiving the Innovation Award at expoSE 2023, the interest in the nature-based cellulose nets from NaturNetz Ltd was overwhelming. The plastic-free and compostable packaging solution was also presented at the IPM horticultural trade fair in Essen and was very well received, says Managing Director Sylvia Segeler, looking back. "Interesting areas of application include the vertical netting of potted plants in order to save on stretch film and plastic netting. This in turn is linked to the Packaging Ordinance, as the obligation to take back the outer packaging no longer applies. In the fruit and vegetable sector, we have so far focused primarily on farm shops and small customers, as our production of coloured nets is still limited."
Despite inflation, the company, which was founded in 2023, has succeeded in reducing the sales prices of the nets, which in turn is thanks to production optimisation, Ms Segeler continues. "As we can now purchase larger quantities of raw materials, we can also achieve a better purchase price. We have passed this advantage on to our customers, as we are aware that plastic-free nets are still very expensive compared to plastic nets." However, the excellent quality should justify the higher price of the natural nets. "We are convinced that better quality is just as important to our customers as it is to us. After all, we want to focus on the business and not on complaints."
Sylvia Segeler and Dietmar Baumeister are at the helm of NaturNetz. They presented the packaging concept at expoSE 2023 and other trade fairs.
Potential for use with Christmas trees and fruit and vegetables
The packaging of Christmas trees continues to be a common application. This is a classic seasonal business that focuses on late summer and autumn. Segeler. "However, we think it's a shame that organic Christmas trees, of all things, end up in plastic netting. At the same time, there are also forward-looking approaches in the right direction: in June of this year, we were able to take part in an event organised by the initiative of organic Christmas tree growers in Engelskirchen, who serve a niche market and follow their concept through to the point of sale to customers."
The Naturnetz team also sees further application potential in the fruit and vegetable sector. "Of course, there is no limit to the colour spectrum, although demand is mainly focused on the standard net colours. The packaging sizes, on the other hand, are difficult, as compostable nets reach their limits with heavy weights. It would be possible to use very narrow meshes, but this would be at the expense of transparency and the recognisability of the product being marketed." Currently, maximum weights of up to 2.5 - 3 kg are used, which are particularly popular for apples and potatoes.
Trade fair presence at expoSE and IPM
"In general, all sectors that currently still use plastic netting for packaging are potential areas of application for our natural nets," Ms Segeler continues. Here, it is important to take targeted, well-thought-out marketing measures and present the sustainable packaging concept on the right platforms. "For the time being, we are focussing on telephone sales in order to secure our small production. However, we will also be exhibiting again in the coming months at the established expoSE and IPM trade fairs, both of which have accompanied us successfully for years," the company concludes.
Pictures: NaturNetz GmbH
For more information:
Sylvia Segeler
NaturNetz GmbH
Zum Hagenbach 9
48366 Laer
+49 (0)2554 9150 50
[email protected]
www.naturnetz.bio