Greenbox

What Greenbox does

Greenbox GmbH & Co. KG, trading as Green Box, is a Bremen-based sustainable food-service packaging distributor founded over a decade ago and operating as one of the first European providers in the category. The company sells a comprehensive catalog of eco-friendly single-use and reusable packaging — ice cream cups, soup cups, paper cups, dessert cups, menu bowls, salad bowls, burger and pizza boxes, bakery packaging, disposable tableware, napkins, cutlery, bags, and reusable containers — manufactured from renewable raw materials including sugarcane (bagasse), bamboo, palm leaf, recycled paper, PLA, and bio-compound. Its proprietary Climate Safe 360° program provides end-to-end CO2 compensation from cultivation through disposal, and registered brand lines include Palmware® (palm leaf), EcoUp© (eco-labeled products), and Happy Bowl (reusable containers). The product portfolio is supported by FSC, PEFC, ISO 9001, DIN EN 13432, and amfori BSCI certifications.

Greenbox operates a product-led growth go-to-market with two principal revenue streams: direct e-commerce sales to consumers and SMBs through biologischverpacken.de, and B2B wholesale accounts serving trade, commerce, industry, and craft businesses. Pricing is unit-based with volume tiered discounts (e.g., ice napkins at €0.005–0.006 per unit at high volume), free shipping above €200, and a complimentary sample program for business evaluation. Distribution runs through DHL and GLS with 1-3 business day delivery within Germany, supplemented by the international ecobiopack.com platform targeting cross-border SMB buyers. Custom printed packaging is offered as an add-on service for branded orders.

The customer base is highly fragmented across food service verticals: Imbiss & food trucks, cafés and ice cream parlors, delivery and take-away restaurants, bakeries, catering and events, canteens, food retail (LEH), and care facilities. Marketing is digital-first, combining SEO-optimized product categories, content marketing on sustainability topics, email newsletters with €5 discount incentives, a "Freunde werben Freunde" referral program, seasonal festival promotions, and WhatsApp Business customer support. The company is privately held under a German GmbH & Co. KG partnership structure, with no disclosed external funding or institutional shareholders.

Name

Greenbox

Legal name

Greenbox GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://biologischverpacken.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Greenbox is a Bremen-based German wholesaler of sustainable food-service packaging — including cups, containers, tableware, cutlery, and bags made from renewable materials — selling primarily to SMBs in gastronomy, ice cream shops, bakeries, catering, and food retail via e-commerce and B2B wholesale channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Food Service Packaging

NAICS

Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212)

SIC

Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Foodservice/To-Go Packaging (Cups, Clamshells, Cutlery) (IMALAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Reusable & Refill Packaging Systems (Returnable Packaging, Refill-at-Home/In-Store) (IMALAMAE), Disposable Tableware (Plates, Cups, Cutlery) (CRAJAGAG)

Keywords

• Sustainable food packaging
• Biodegradable tableware
• Eco-friendly containers
• Compostable cups
• Renewable packaging materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. B2C/B2B E-commerce Product Sales: Direct online sales of sustainable packaging products through the company's e-commerce platform. Products include cups, bowls, boxes, cutlery, napkins, and custom-printed items. Revenue generated through unit sales with volume-based tiered pricing and wholesale rates for business customers.
2. Wholesale/Bulk Orders: Wholesale pricing for trade, industry, and craft businesses (Gewerbe, Handel, Industrie und Handwerk). Orders of 200+ units qualify for free shipping. Business customer portal available for returns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Greenbox manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of sustainable, CO2-compensated food service packaging products including disposable and reusable cups, containers, bowls, boxes, tableware, cutlery, napkins, and bags. Products are made from renewable raw materials such as sugarcane (bagasse), bamboo, palm leaf, recycled paper, FSC-certified wood fiber, and bio-based plastics (PLA, bio-compound), and are sold primarily through a B2B/B2C e-commerce platform with wholesale pricing for commercial customers.

Product overview

Green Box is a German sustainable packaging company offering a comprehensive portfolio of eco-friendly food service packaging products. The core offering consists of single-use and reusable packaging solutions including Eisbecher (ice cream cups), Suppenbecher (soup cups), Dessertbecher (dessert cups), Fast- & Streetfood packaging (burger boxes, pizza boxes, snack bags), Menüschalen (menu bowls), Salatschalen (salad bowls), and Backwaren packaging (bakery boxes). Supporting product lines include Pappbecher (paper cups), Einweggeschirr (disposable tableware), Servietten & Besteck (napkins & cutlery), Beutel & Tüten (bags), and Mehrweg (reusable containers). An add-on module, Verpackungen bedrucken, enables custom branding through printed packaging. Products are manufactured from renewable materials including Zuckerrohr (sugarcane/bagasse), Bambus (bamboo), Palmblatt (palm leaf), Bio-Compound, and FSC-certified paper. The company compensates 100% of CO2 emissions through its Climate Safe 360° program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Palmware®: Proprietary range of palm leaf based sustainable packaging products
• EcoUp©
• Happy Bowl

Products and services

• Eisbecher (Ice Cream Cups) Paper-based ice cream cups in multiple sizes (75ml to 400ml) with bio-coated cardboard, PE coating, and water-based barrier options for ice cream parlors, cafes, and food service operations.
• Suppenbecher (Soup Cups / Universal Paper Cups) Bio-coated cardboard universal cups suitable for hot and cold soups, beverages, and takeaway dishes, featuring PLA bio-coating and DIN EN 13432 industrial compostability certification.
• Pappbecher (Paper Cups) Single-wall and double-wall paper cups in various sizes for hot and cold beverages, including ripple cups and automatic vending machine cups.
• Fast- & Streetfood Verpackungen (Fast Food Packaging) Comprehensive range including burger boxes, pizza boxes, döner bags, snack bags, fry containers, hot dog packaging, sandwich boxes, and wrap packaging for street food and fast food operators.
• Menüschalen & Menüboxen (Menu Bowls & Boxes) Multi-compartment meal containers in 2 or 3 chamber designs for complete meal presentations, including sugarcane (bagasse) and foam variants.
• Salatschalen & Feinkostbecher (Salad Bowls & Delicatessen Cups) Cardboard salad bowls and delicatessen containers with bio-coating, available in various sizes with matching lids for salads and fine foods.
• Backwaren Verpackungen (Bakery Packaging) Specialized packaging for bakery items including bread roll bags (Brötchentüten), cake boxes (Tortenkartons), cake cartons (Kuchenboxen), cake boards (Kuchenpappen), cake molds (Kuchenformen), and cupcake boxes.
• Einweggeschirr (Disposable Tableware) Single-use plates, bowls, dip containers, and trays made from sustainable materials including sugarcane (bagasse), bamboo, and palm leaf.
• Servietten & Besteck (Napkins & Cutlery) Paper napkins in various sizes and ply counts, cocktail napkins, cutlery napkins, along with disposable wooden and paper cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, and skewers.
• Beutel & Tüten (Bags & Sacks) Shopping bags, flat bags, block-bottom bags, cross-bottom bags, and folded bags made from recyclable paper materials.
• Mehrweg (Reusable Packaging) Reusable food containers, plates, bowls, burger boxes, meal boxes, soup cups, cups, and cutlery that are dishwasher-safe, microwaveable, and stackable, with lids compatible with corresponding single-use products.
• Asia Verpackungen (Asian Cuisine Packaging) Specialized packaging for Asian cuisine including noodle boxes and sushi boxes designed for Asian food service operations.
• Fingerfood Verpackungen (Finger Food Packaging) Packaging for finger foods including wooden boats (Holzschiffchen), snack bowls (Snackschalen), wooden skewers (Holzspieße), and portion cups (Portionsbecher).
• Plastikbecher & Flaschen (Plastic Cups & Bottles) Plastic beverage cups and bottles including PLA-based cups and rPET recycled plastic cups for cold beverages.
• Take-away Boxen (Take-away Boxes) General-purpose take-away containers in various sizes and materials for diverse food service applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% CO2 compensated products from cultivation through disposal
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest certification ensuring materials come from responsibly managed forests. Products carry FSC® certification as 'Das Zeichen für verantwortungsvolle Wirtschaft' (the mark of responsible forestry).
• PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlternative forest certification for sustainable wood/paper sourcing. Products sourced from PEFC-certified forests meet international sustainability standards.
• amfori BSCIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness Social Compliance Initiative ensuring fair working conditions. Company's partnerships with suppliers base on amfori BSCI Code of Conduct, supporting family businesses locally and ensuring ethical supply chain.
• DHLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShipping and logistics partner for domestic German delivery. Standard shipping within 1-3 business days.
• GLSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlternative shipping and logistics partner for domestic German delivery.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Pactiv Evergreen: Large North American food service packaging manufacturer (cups, containers, cutlery) with growing sustainable product lines. Comparable as a broad incumbent adding bio-based options alongside conventional SKUs.
• Duni Group: European table-top and foodservice packaging group (napkins, cutlery, plates, takeaway) with a strong sustainability agenda. Overlaps with Greenbox on napkins, tableware, and concepts for restaurants and events.
• Huhtamaki: Global food service packaging incumbent with broad paperboard, plastic, and molded-fiber lines. Competes with Greenbox in foodservice cups and containers, with the scale and procurement leverage of a public multinational.

Direct peers

• BioPak: Australia/Europe-headquartered maker of plant-based compostable foodservice packaging with a global wholesale footprint. Overlaps directly with Greenbox on bagasse and PLA cups, containers, and cutlery for cafés and takeaways.
• Eco-Products (by Novolex): US leader in plant-based, compostable foodservice packaging now backed by Novolex. Directly comparable product mix (bagasse containers, PLA cups, cutlery) and similar sustainability-led positioning.
• Vegware: UK-headquartered specialist in compostable food service packaging (cups, containers, cutlery). Closest direct competitor to Greenbox in product mix, sustainability positioning, and European foodservice customer base.
• naturesse (Pacovis): Swiss/European brand under Pacovis offering compostable foodservice packaging from plant-based materials. Strong DACH overlap with Greenbox and similar focus on gastronomy, retail, and takeaway customers.

Regional players

• Sedà (International Paper Italy / Similar Italian packagers): European paper-based food and beverage packaging manufacturer with foodservice product lines. Comparable as a paperboard-focused foodservice supplier, though it operates more as a manufacturer than a multi-material distributor.

Emerging players

• W-Cycle: Israel-based developer of sugarcane-based foodservice packaging (EcoPure) targeting global foodservice brands. Comparable on material innovation and bio-based positioning, though more of a technology/licensing model than distributor.
• Biopac (UK): Smaller UK-based supplier of compostable and biodegradable foodservice packaging. Comparable niche profile to Greenbox with a narrower product range and similar SMB customer focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/greenboxEcoUpPackaging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greenbox-gmbh-co-kg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Greenbox