Polyethylene film producer Gröning (Rheine / Germany; www.groening.de) has been certified as compatible with BRCGS’ (London / UK; www.brcgs.com) “Global Standard for Packaging Materials”. CEO Matthias Becker-Gröning said, “The additional requirements of the internationally recognised ‘Global Food Safety Initiative’ (GFSI) standards complement the previous certification after European hygiene norm DIN EN 15593.” The new certification enables the company to meet the demands of its international customers in the food industry. Among other things, Gröning’s operating area was divided into new hygiene zones.

With this move, Gröning is continuing the changes it began to implement after a fire destroyed parts of its glass fibre production three years ago, which also forced the company to abandon the textile production that had been part of its portfolio for 146 years. Since the coronavirus pandemic has increased demand for plastic packaging in the food industry, new lines for film extrusion and processing were installed in the course of the audit for BRCGS certification.

Over the past two years, Gröning invested more than EUR 10m in new lines, buildings and equipment, including two extrusion lines for HDPE film and a five-layer coextrusion line. With the added 4,000 t/y capacity, the film manufacturer’s output now totals 25,000 t/y. The German company has also completed construction of a new building for technical sourcing and shipping and expanded both its administration building and the “Wilhelm-Gröning-Forum”, a customer service and events centre. In addition, new employees have been hired, bringing its workforce to 160.