Biomaterials company Genera announces $350M expansion

Daniela Castillo Monagas

Sustainable molded fiber and biomaterials company Genera has announced the groundbreaking of a $350 million expansion to its Sustainable Biomaterials Campus in Vonore, Tennessee. 

Founded as a spinout from the University of Tennessee in 2008, Genera has grown to become North America’s largest vertically integrated manufacturer of sustainable packaging and biomaterials solutions for food and consumer products, retail, and food service. The company’s products are made from locally grown regenerative grasses, offering consumers sustainable alternatives to plastics with direct benefits to local farms and communities and a significantly lower carbon impact. 

The expansion will increase manufacturing, production, and distribution operations, adding over 150,000 square feet to Genera’s existing facility. The new space will house more than 60 robotic thermoforming machines, autonomously guided vehicles, and automated packaging lines.

“Genera has grown to become the largest domestic manufacturer of circular, compostable packaging solutions and this expansion will enable us to further scale and bring our sustainable packaging solutions to more brands and consumers,” said Ben Mascarello, CEO, Genera. “As our capacity increases, we look forward to expanding our work with brand owners, farmers and landowners and continuing to lead the transition to a biobased economy.”

The expansion will be undertaken in partnership with Motus and Kiewit’s subsidiary TIC. TIC will complete the engineering, procurement, and construction of the expansion, while Motus will supply state-of-the-art automated robotic thermoforming machines. 

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