Der Grüne Punkt
Der Grüne Punkt is the German operator of the world's first dual packaging-recycling system, licensing sales packaging for EPR compliance and producing certified Systalen post-consumer recyclates and secondary raw materials for European manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersKöln, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Der Grüne Punkt does
Der Grüne Punkt, founded in Cologne in 1990, operates the world's first dual system for end-consumer-near collection and high-quality recycling of sales packaging in Germany. The company licences sales, transport and commercial packaging on behalf of manufacturers, importers and distributors that must comply with the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and additionally operates Design4Recycling consulting, the DigiDot QR-based consumer sorting guide, the DoCgo PPWR Declaration of Conformity tool and an authorised representative service via Green Dot Rep GmbH for non-EU manufacturers.
Its recycling infrastructure is anchored by wholly-owned subsidiaries Systec Plastics GmbH (Hörstel, PP recyclate) and Systec Plastics Eisfeld GmbH (LDPE recyclate, ~28,000 tonnes/year capacity), which produce the proprietary Systalen brand of high-purity post-consumer recyclates (rLDPE 1.0/2.0/3.0, rPP variants) carrying RAL, EUCertPlast, RecyClass and ISCC PLUS certifications. Der Grüne Punkt is also building the LARS (Large Advanced Recycling Site) chemical recycling plant with EUR 50 million in EU Innovation Fund support, designed to pre-treat 100 kt/year of mixed plastic waste into over 40 kt/year of pyrolysis oil for circular polymer production. The company is one of Europe's largest traders of secondary raw materials (metals, glass, plastics) recovered from household collections.
Revenue is generated through three streams: licensing/royalty fees from packaging participation (the core EPR business), sales of Systalen recyclates to plastics converters, and logistics/transaction-fee revenue from secondary raw material trading. Distribution combines a self-serve online licensing platform (VerpackGO), inside sales via customer portal and phone support, and an international channel through PRO Europe, which licenses the globally protected Green Dot trademark to qualified foreign collection and recycling systems. Since August 2022, Der Grüne Punkt has been owned by Circular Resources Sàrl, and is led by CEO Laurent Auguste.
Der Grüne Punkt firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Der Grüne Punkt
- Legal name
- Der Grüne Punkt Holding GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://gruener-punkt.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Der Grüne Punkt is the German operator of the world's first dual packaging-recycling system, licensing sales packaging for EPR compliance and producing certified Systalen post-consumer recyclates and secondary raw materials for European manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Der Grüne Punkt industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Packaging Recycling and EPR Compliance Services
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers (423930), Packaging and Labeling Services (561910)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Packaging Waste Sorting & Recycling Technologies (Mechanical/Chemical Recycling, Sorting Systems) (IMALAMAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Recycled-Content Plastic Packaging (rPET, rHDPE, rPP) (IMALAMAC), Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF), Mono-Material & Recyclability-Designed Packaging (Design-for-Recycling, Barrier Alternatives) (IMALAMAD)
Keywords
Where Der Grüne Punkt is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Köln
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Der Grüne Punkt business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Packaging licensing fees: Manufacturers, importers, and distributors pay licensing fees to participate in the dual system (Der Grüne Punkt) to fulfil their obligation under the German Packaging Act (VerpackG). Fees are typically based on volume and weight of packaging placed on the market.
- Systalen Recyclate sales: Sale of high-quality recycled plastic granules (Systalen brand) to manufacturers for use in new products, generated from post-consumer plastics collected via the dual system.
- Logistics and raw material trading: Der Grüne Punkt acts as one of Europe's largest raw material traders, marketing metals, glass, plastics and other materials from post-consumer collections, along with associated logistics services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | DoCgo Declaration of Conformity Tool |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | VerpackGO packaging licensing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Der Grüne Punkt product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Der Grüne Punkt operates Germany's first and largest dual system for sales packaging take-back and recycling, providing B2B packaging licensing services that allow manufacturers, importers and distributors to fulfil Extended Producer Responsibility obligations under the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) and the EU PPWR. Beyond licensing, the company runs two production facilities producing Systalen high-purity recycled plastic granules (rLDPE, rPP) from post-consumer packaging collected via the Gelbe Tonne and Gelber Sack, and sells these Systalen recyclates to plastics manufacturers as a circular alternative to virgin plastic.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Systalen: Brand for high-quality post-consumer recyclate granules, compounds and other recyclates from polyolefinic plastics in premium quality, produced from haushaltsnahe Sammlung (Gelbe Tonne & Gelber Sack).
- VerpackGO
- Design4Recycling (D4R)
- DigiDot
- DoCgo
Products and services
- VerpackGO - Online Packaging Licensing Platform Self-serve online platform for manufacturers, importers and distributors to license packaging at the dual system; covers sales packaging, transport packaging and one-way deposit items. Pricing is based on packaging type, volume and weight. For SMB and mid-market customers in Germany.
- Systalen Recycled Plastic Granules High-purity post-consumer recycled granules, compounds and other recyclates made from polyolefinic plastics (LDPE, PP) sourced from the Gelbe Tonne and Gelber Sack. Includes rLDPE 1.0 (standard), rLDPE 2.0 (fine-filtered), rLDPE 3.0 (fine-filtered and odour-reduced), and PP variants in grey and black. Certified by EUCertPlast, RAL Gütezeichen, RecyClass and ISCC PLUS. For plastics manufacturers and converters using injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion applications.
- Design4Recycling (D4R) Consulting Service Consulting service for designing packaging optimised for recycling, including recyclability assessment in collaboration with Institut cyclos-HTP, workshops, and certification of packaging recyclability. For packaging designers, brand owners and manufacturers seeking to optimise packaging design for recyclability and meet PPWR requirements.
- DoCgo Declaration of Conformity Tool User-friendly Declaration of Conformity tool that guides users through creating a complete EU Declaration of Conformity in five simple steps for PPWR compliance. Available at €490 net per calendar year with a free 2-working-day trial. For manufacturers and packaging producers needing PPWR compliance documentation.
- DigiDot QR Sorting Guide QR-code-based sorting guide for packaging. Consumers scan the DigiDot on packaging to receive disposal instructions. Expanded from Germany to EU-wide coverage. For brand owners and packaging producers seeking to provide consumer sorting guidance.
- Green Dot Rep Authorized Representative Service Authorized representative service for EPR compliance under PPWR for producers from other EU member states and third countries. Allows manufacturers without a German establishment to fulfil their EPR obligations in Germany via Green Dot Rep GmbH.
- Raw Material Trading and Logistics Services One of Europe's largest raw material trading operations, marketing metals, glass, plastics and other materials predominantly from post-consumer collections, along with associated logistics services.
- LARS (Large Advanced Recycling Site) Chemical Recycling Patented chemical recycling technology for converting mixed plastic waste into pyrolysis oil through integrated pre-treatment and chemical recycling. The LARS plant will produce over 40,000 tonnes per year of pyrolysis oil as feedstock for circular polymer production. Expected to avoid 1.75 million tonnes CO₂ equivalent in first 10 years of operation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Expected 1.75 million tonnes CO₂ equivalent avoided in first 10 years of LARS operation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Der Grüne Punkt
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Der Grüne Punkt technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Der Grüne Punkt partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Anviplas SpaincoreGreenDot strengthened its European leadership in high-quality LDPE recycling by integrating Anviplas Spain. The strategic expansion in Catalonia enhances resilience, scale effects and circularity across Europe, adding Anviplas's capacity and expertise to GreenDot's LDPE recycling network.
- osapienscoreGreenDot and osapiens entered a strategic partnership to develop the first integrated AI platform for EPR compliance under the PPWR in Europe. This platform will help manufacturers manage their Extended Producer Responsibility obligations using AI-driven data management.
- ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria)coreARA, Bernegger and Der Grüne Punkt partnered for the Sort4cycle project - a groundbreaking initiative setting a new standard for Europe's circular economy. Spatenstich (groundbreaking) took place in March 2023 for what will be Europe's most modern sorting plant.
- Circular Resources SàrlcoreCircular Resources Sàrl acquired Der Grüne Punkt in August 2022 to create the first integrated solution combining mechanical and chemical recycling at industrial scale. This strategic acquisition positions Der Grüne Punkt within a broader circular economy ecosystem.
- Bernegger GruppecorePartner with ARA and Der Grüne Punkt in the Sort4cycle project for building Europe's most modern sorting plant for plastics.
- NestléminorNestlé, Tchibo, Veolia and Der Grüne Punkt formed a joint initiative to increase capsule recycling rates in Germany, working together across the value chain.
- TchibominorPartner in the joint capsule recycling initiative with Nestlé, Veolia and Der Grüne Punkt.
- VeoliaminorPartner in the joint capsule recycling initiative with Nestlé, Tchibo and Der Grüne Punkt.
- PelikanminorCooperation with Pelikan resulted in the launch of the SUPER PIRAT eco ink eraser consisting of 70% recycled plastic from Gelber Sack and Gelbe Tonne, setting new standards in recycling for stationery products.
- PRO EuropecoreDer Grüne Punkt is a member of PRO Europe (S.P.R.L.), the umbrella organisation that licenses the 'Der Grüne Punkt' brand to qualified foreign collection and recycling systems.
- University of PaderbornminorEducational partnership: students from the plastics technology department visit Systec Plastics GmbH in Hörstel to learn about modern recycling technology for plastics from the Gelber Sack.
- RONDO FOODminorRONDO FOOD (Krefeld pet food manufacturer) chose the D4R in-house workshop with Der Grüne Punkt for face-to-face, individual packaging optimisation consulting.
- GRI Glasrecycling GmbHminorDer Grüne Punkt staff visited GRI Glasrecycling GmbH in Dormagen for practical insights into modern glass recycling operations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Der Grüne Punkt competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Interseroh: Interseroh is one of Germany's leading dual systems operating packaging licensing under the German Packaging Act, offering collection, sorting and recycling of sales packaging. Direct head-to-head competitor to Der Grüne Punkt in German EPR licensing.
- Veolia Environment: Veolia operates waste management and recycling services across Europe, including plastics recovery and joint EPR initiatives (e.g., capsule recycling with Der Grüne Punkt). Comparable as a pan-European integrated waste and recycling operator with B2B EPR exposure.
- ALPLA Group: ALPLA is a global packaging manufacturer investing heavily in recycled plastics (rPET, rHDPE) and recycling facilities. Comparable as a downstream buyer and producer of recycled-content plastic packaging using post-consumer streams.
- ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria): ARA is Austria's leading packaging recycling system and a Sort4cycle co-development partner with Der Grüne Punkt. Comparable as a national dual system operator with EPR licensing and recycling infrastructure.
Emerging players
- TOMRA: TOMRA provides sensor-based sorting technology for recycling and waste streams, including the optical sorters used in modern MRFs. Comparable as a technology provider in plastics sorting/recycling and partner to Sort4cycle-style projects.
Broad incumbents
- Remondis: Remondis is one of the largest privately held recycling and waste management companies worldwide, with deep operations across Europe in collection, sorting and materials recovery. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating competing MRF and EPR-adjacent infrastructure.
- PreZero (Schwarz Group): PreZero is the environmental and recycling arm of Schwarz Group operating across Europe in waste management, sorting and recycled materials. Comparable as a large integrated recycling player with EPR licensing capabilities in multiple EU markets.
- Borealis (Borouge / Borcycle): Borealis is a major polyolefin producer with Borcycle, its mechanical and chemical recycling portfolio producing recycled PP and PE grades. Comparable as a large-scale buyer and producer competing for recycled-polyolefin market share with Systalen.
- LyondellBasell (Circulen): LyondellBasell operates the Circulen family of recycled and renewable-based polymers, including mechanically and chemically recycled polyolefins. Comparable as a global incumbent with chemical-recycling ambitions overlapping with LARS's downstream offtake.
- Suez (Veolia merger entity): Suez operates recycling and recovery services across Europe, with plastics recycling, materials recovery and EPR support. Comparable as a broad waste-management incumbent overlapping with Der Grüne Punkt's downstream MRF and raw material trading.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Der Grüne Punkt social profiles
Digital presenceDer Grüne Punkt financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Der Grüne Punkt leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Der Grüne Punkt subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Der Grüne Punkt funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Der Grüne Punkt M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Der Grüne Punkt
What does Der Grüne Punkt do?
Der Grüne Punkt operates Germany's first and largest dual system for sales packaging take-back and recycling, providing B2B packaging licensing services that allow manufacturers, importers and distributors to fulfil Extended Producer Responsibility obligations under the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) and the EU PPWR. Beyond licensing, the company runs two production facilities producing Systalen high-purity recycled plastic granules (rLDPE, rPP) from post-consumer packaging collected via the Gelbe Tonne and Gelber Sack, and sells these Systalen recyclates to plastics manufacturers as a circular alternative to virgin plastic.
Is Der Grüne Punkt a public or private company?
Der Grüne Punkt is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Der Grüne Punkt founded?
Der Grüne Punkt was founded in 1990. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Der Grüne Punkt based?
Der Grüne Punkt is headquartered in Köln, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Der Grüne Punkt make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Packaging licensing fees are the primary driver. The others are systalen Recyclate sales and logistics and raw material trading.
Who are Der Grüne Punkt's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Interseroh, Veolia Environment, ALPLA Group and ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria). TOMRA is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Remondis, PreZero (Schwarz Group), Borealis (Borouge / Borcycle), LyondellBasell (Circulen) and Suez (Veolia merger entity).
Does Der Grüne Punkt have an API?
No public API is recorded for Der Grüne Punkt.
What industry is Der Grüne Punkt in?
Der Grüne Punkt's product category is Packaging Recycling and EPR Compliance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAMAL, Packaging Waste Sorting & Recycling Technologies (Mechanical/Chemical Recycling, Sorting Systems), with a secondary code of IMALAMAC, Recycled-Content Plastic Packaging (rPET, rHDPE, rPP). Its NAICS code is 56292.