PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), sustainability and concrete solutions for the packaging world of tomorrow – groku showed at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf how companies can successfully master the requirements of the new EU packaging regulation.

At the world’s leading trade fair for process and packaging technology, groku presented itself as a partner for sustainable plastic packaging on a 135 square meter stand in Hall 9, Stand D32. The focus was on the new EU packaging regulation PPWR, packaging solutions with a focus on recyclability, the use of recyclates and resource efficiency, as well as the further development of our vision of the better bucket.
Our goal was clear: visitors should leave the stand with the confirmation: “groku is a reliable partner for sustainable plastic packaging and competently supports customers on the way to the PPWR.”

The PPWR came into force in February 2025 and will be binding throughout the EU from August 12, 2026 after the transition period. Its aim is to reduce packaging waste, promote recycling and strengthen the circular economy. For many companies, this means new requirements for materials, recyclability, use of recyclates and documentation. In addition, the regulation stipulates mandatory minimum percentages of post-consumer recyclate (PCR) for certain plastic packaging from 2030. This means that the use of high-quality recyclates is already becoming increasingly important. For groku, however, the PPWR is far more than just a regulatory challenge – it is an important driver of innovation. That is why our central message at Interpack was: groku is READY FOR PPWR and supports its customers in preparing for the requirements of the regulation at an early stage.

Even at first glance at the trade fair stand, it was clear how important sustainability is to groku. The open stand concept combined modern communication areas with a lounge area and a specially set up sustainability area, which served as a central contact point for discussions on the future of packaging. This area focused on the “groku green values ” – the company’s sustainability strategy. They show how groku takes sustainability aspects into account in the development of products, processes and services and harmonizes them with economic requirements.

Our brand and vision, the better bucket, was at the center of the trade fair stand. The “better bucket” stands for the continuous further development of plastic packaging with regard to recyclability, the use of recyclates and future regulatory requirements.
We presented three key innovations at Interpack:

Colored PCR material – brand identity meets sustainability
A common challenge when using post-consumer recyclate (PCR) is the color. Many companies fear that their brand identity will be compromised. groku showed at Interpack that sustainability and brand impact need not be a contradiction in terms. With colored PCR material, we were able to demonstrate that individual brand colors can be realized even with a high proportion of recyclate – and at the same time the requirements for the increased use of recyclates can be taken into account.

Lighter buckets for reduced material usage
Another focus was on the further development of existing packaging solutions. The bucket generations presented show how optimized designs can reduce material usage and improve handling. At the same time, aspects of design for recycling are already taken into account during product development. In this way, groku is pursuing the goal of gradually making packaging solutions more resource-efficient and better aligning them with future requirements for recyclability and the circular economy.

ROVAL – individual packaging solution made from PCR
groku presented another development with the new ROVAL bucket series. The customizable solution uses PCR materials and combines functional requirements with a modern design approach. In addition, the ROVAL series is characterized by a wide and deep footprint, which contributes to a high level of transport safety. At the same time, the geometry enables efficient utilization of the pallet volume and thus creates advantages for storage and logistics. ROVAL shows how customer-specific packaging concepts can be combined with the requirements of material efficiency, functionality and future regulatory framework conditions.

Sustainability you can touch
In the sustainability area, sustainability was not only explained, but made tangible. In addition to examples of grey and colored PCR material, visitors were able to learn about the advantages of modern packaging solutions in practical demonstrations. The tear-off tests, in which the performance of plastic hangers was shown in comparison to classic metal hangers, aroused particular interest. The demonstrations clearly illustrated how innovative designs can offer functional benefits and support recyclability and material efficiency requirements.

Together towards 2030
Interpack 2026 has shown: The transformation of the packaging industry is in full swing. The requirements of the PPWR will be a major focus for companies in the coming years. At the same time, new requirements and development opportunities are emerging for packaging solutions with a focus on recyclability, the use of recyclates and resource efficiency. groku sees itself as a partner on this journey.

Thank you for your visit
We would like to thank all customers, partners and interested parties for the numerous discussions at Interpack 2026. You were unable to be there or would like to learn more about the solutions presented?
Then get in touch with us. Our sales team will be happy to show you how groku can support your company in the development and implementation of PPWR-oriented packaging concepts.

Following the announcement of our new site in Birmingham in November 2025, we have reached the next important milestone: the modernization has been completed – and production is running according to plan.

With over 10,000 m² of production and storage space, GROKU UK is creating the ideal conditions for further growth and more efficient processes. We are already manufacturing for the local market – with significantly shorter delivery times, reduced transportation routes and a measurable contribution to CO₂ reduction.

Sustainability is not an add-on, but part of our self-image:
In Birmingham, too, we consistently produce according to our groku green values – with maximum use of recyclate, a clear focus on recyclability and in compliance with current regulatory requirements such as the PPWR.

Modern injection molding technology and efficient building technology make the site sustainable and resource-efficient.

The Birmingham site is therefore a central component of our international strategy – efficient, customer-oriented and sustainable.

PRESS REPORT –
Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, November 2025 – groku Kunststoffe GmbH, one of the leading suppliers of plastic packaging, has acquired a production site in England.
The plant is currently being extensively renovated and prepared for groku production standards. Production is scheduled to start in January 2026.

Preparations are currently in full swing: the infrastructure is being created, production units are being set up, logistics are being expanded and new employees are undergoing intensive training. In future, buckets and lids are to be produced at the new site using the injection molding process, primarily for the British market.

“The investment in the UK site is an important step in our international growth strategy. We want to supply our local customers even more efficiently and sustainably. The decisive factor for us is that we can now offer existing and new customers the well-known groku quality standard directly on site. We therefore work strictly according to our proven specifications and use our more than 55 years of experience in the production of plastic packaging,” explains Managing Director Henrik Großekämper.

groku – the better bucket.

A detailed report will follow in the new year.

Preparation of the floor

Review FACHPACK 2025 – groku presents itself anew

FACHPACK 2025 is now behind us – three intensive days full of encounters, discussions and new ideas. For us at groku, the trade fair was a special milestone: we presented our stand in its new look for the first time, impressively demonstrating how we are bringing our brand claim the better bucket to life.

With a colorful and self-confident appearance, we were able to welcome numerous visitors. The focus was on our promise to offer the better solution in the field of plastic packaging – more sustainable, more functional and simply better.

In a video recorded during the trade fair, our Managing Director Henrik Großekämper addressed the guests directly. He spoke about the significance of the new claim “the better bucket“, the launch of our new website and our sustainability strategy groku green values.

Thank you for your visit

We would like to thank everyone who visited us at the trade fair for the interesting exchanges and valuable discussions. For all those who were unable to be there, we would like to share the video as an insight into our appearance and our future strategy.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7378723005473923072


With the successful switch to SAP S/4HANA, groku is sending a clear signal for the digital future. The modern ERP system enables more efficient processes, transparent data structures and well-founded decisions in real time.
A significant step and a course set for further company growth.


In the current interview “”This is how success almost ended my life”” on GRIP – Das Motormagazin, Hamid Mossadegh tells us how he earned most of his driving license with a vacation job at groku. Today, he is a successful entrepreneur and CEO – and a real example for us of how far hard work, curiosity and determination can take you.

https://lnkd.in/eZMZ6reu

The fact that groku was part of this journey back then fills us with pride. Because that’s exactly what we want to pass on to young people: Those who tackle things get ahead – for us, a career doesn’t start with a position, but with an attitude.

Are you looking for a job with prospects? Whether it’s a vacation job, internship, apprenticeship or direct entry – there are many ways to develop your career with us: www.groku.de/karriere – and get started

World Recycling Day 2025 – Our latest circular champions!

18.03. is World Recycling Day! We at groku are taking the opportunity to draw attention to our sustainable products once again!
For almost 15 years, we have been passionately committed to resource-saving packaging solutions – with the clear aim of developing packaging that leaves little trace on our planet.

Our new champions in the groku HOM series set new standards in sustainable packaging: mono-material packaging made from up to 100% recycled material – resource-saving, recyclable and, of course, customizable thanks to IML technology!

Especially on World Recycling Day, it becomes clear how important closed material cycles are for our future. With the HOM14000 and HOM19500, we are making a further contribution to this – for a world with less waste and more recycling.

A complete success in Paris!

We had an excellent time at ALL4PACK in Paris! The trade fair was a great opportunity to present our innovative plastic packaging and make new contacts. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by and made the show a success for us!

Nice to meet you!

We had a great week at interpack 2023 and are thrilled to see so many nice reunions with our partners and delighted to make new contacts.
The groku team agrees: there’s simply nothing like meeting in person. After such a long break from interpack, it was really special to be able to exchange ideas with guests from all over the world!

The topic of sustainability was omnipresent at the trade fair and, with the groku Green Loop, could not be overlooked at groku. Our friendly trade fair bucket “Nice to meet you!” elicited a smile from many a visitor. The focus was on our product range, which we presented extensively. This enabled us to integrate our products into conversations in a haptic way with just one touch and to talk in detail about customer requirements, wishes and possibilities.

Thank you for a great trade fair. Nice to see you soon!

Visit us on LinkedIn and watch our trade fair video.

The groku trade fair stand was very well attended during interpack 2023 from 04.-10.05.2023.

Certified sustainability in the bucket

With immediate effect, the recycled packaging of the more than 220 million injection-molded packaging articles from groku Kunststoffe GmbH in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock will include a certificate that guarantees, among other things, the use of PCR material in the production of groku products.

“We are very proud to be REDcert² certified and to be able to make a credible PCR promise to our customers and consumers,” says Managing Director Henrik Großekämper. With this contribution to a transparent and functioning circular economy, the company is ideally prepared for future challenges such as statutory recycling quotas and plastics taxes in other EU countries.

A good example of a sustainable product from groku Kunststoffe is the 12.5 l bucket for the customer DAW SE, based in Ober-Ramstadt. The packaging bucket for paints consists of 70% PCR material, whose raw material source is PP waste from the Yellow Bag recycling collection and is easily recognizable by its grey color. Henrik Großekämper explains: “We only buy PCR granules from EUCertPlast and ISCC+ certified processors and process them in our products in different mixing ratios with virgin material, depending on customer requirements.” As part of a process-related mass balance procedure, which includes the complete traceability of all raw materials used and which groku Kunststoffe maintains for all input and output material flows as part of its ERP system, it is possible to show exactly what proportion of recycled material has been incorporated into the respective end product. This procedure has been successfully audited by TÜV NORD CERT GmbH, an approved certification body for the REDcert² Chemie system. “This makes us the first manufacturer of plastic packaging articles to be REDcert² certified,” the Managing Director proudly emphasizes, adding: “If we specify a recycled content for one of our packaging articles, this is guaranteed and verifiably included.” In the case of the 12.5 l bucket for DAW SE, the use of recycled material instead of pure virgin material leads to a CO² saving of 0.4 kg per container and thus contributes to resource conservation and climate protection.

The bucket, which has an appealing design thanks to the in-mould labeling process despite its grey base color, was developed with and for the customer DAW SE, which itself has already had its binders certified under the REDcert² system. The well-known European supplier of paints and varnishes, which includes the Caparol brand with its distinctive symbol of the colorful elephant, committed itself to sustainability over ten years ago. In addition to climate-neutral production of its paints and varnishes, it also focuses on sustainable packaging products. The Indeko-plus bucket from groku Kunststoffe with a recycled content of 70% fits perfectly with the requirements profile for a sustainable and efficient packaging product. “Depending on the desired property profile, we develop recipes for our packaging articles for our customers that can contain up to 100% PCR,” explains Henrik Großekämper. groku Kunststoffe produces around 220 million packaging articles, buckets and lids every year, primarily for manufacturers of paints and building protection materials, adhesives and dry asphalt or bitumen, as well as other bulk goods in the non-food sector. The injection molding company, which employs around 150 people, also produces buckets of various shapes and sizes for the food sector in addition to containers with a volume of 1 l to 30 l for the non-food sector and therefore has an enormous wealth of experience in the manufacture of sustainable plastic products throughout Europe.

Source: groku