Annual Review – That was the NaKu Year 2025
NaKu Year in Review 2025: A journey through unforgettable moments!
As we look back on the past year in this annual review, we are once again reminded of the numerous highlights and significant moments at NaKu. Join us on an exciting journey through the NaKu year 2025!
While writing this review, we were surprised ourselves by everything that happened. From exciting trade fair appearances and keynote speeches, numerous presentations including at Fachpack 2025, to very interesting encounters at congresses such as the CREATE Symposium, to GREEN FRIDAY WEEK and many innovative new products such as the NaKu sugar card and the solutions for forestry – it was a year full of great events and successes!
January 2025
Shooting day at NaKu for the ORF 2 car magazine Autofocus
A particular highlight last year was the exciting filming day at NaKu! The film crew of the ORF 2 car magazine "Autofocus" with Tom Trabitsch was visiting.
Although we manufacture bottles and packaging, our bioplastics fit perfectly with the program's theme of "Sustainability in Mobility ." In a fascinating interview, we were able to present our innovative bio-solutions and their contribution to environmental protection . The film crew was impressed by the quality and versatility of our biodegradable products.
February 2025
Meeting with NaKu at BIOFACH 2025
An important date in NaKu's calendar was Biofach 2025 in Nuremberg from February 11th to 12th. We were delighted to be able to provide our visitors with comprehensive information about products and packaging made from bioplastics at this leading international trade fair for organic food.
The focus was on our standard product range – from biodegradable bags, biodegradable sacks and films to our 120% sustainable PLA/rPLA bottles in various sizes. Biofach provided us with an excellent platform for exchanging information across the entire value chain, from production and composting to recycling.
It was particularly gratifying that numerous interested parties took the opportunity to discuss their individual packaging projects directly with us on site, thus initiating the path to realization with bioplastics.
MEDIACon 2025
We were proud to have supported MEDIAcon 2025 , an extremely interesting and important conference that took place online on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
MEDIAcon, organized by the Master's program in Digital Marketing & Communication at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, highlighted current developments in (digital) communication planning. This year's motto was "Marketing Tomorrow – Strategies for Future-Oriented Marketing ." The event offered exciting insights and discussions, which we were pleased to support as sponsors of these forward-looking topics.
Innovative packaging solutions in the food sector
A key event was the ERFA event series , a significant platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge in the food and packaging sector. This series, jointly organized by the Upper Austrian Food Cluster / Business Upper Austria and Innovation Salzburg GmbH with the support of the State of Salzburg, aims to network food businesses, promote knowledge transfer, and facilitate open dialogue in order to strengthen businesses economically through expert presentations and discussions.
On February 26, 2025, the event focused entirely on the highly topical subject of "Innovative Packaging Solutions in the Food Sector ." NaKu made a valuable contribution with a presentation on "Biopolymers in the Food Industry ," in which we demonstrated how sustainable packaging solutions can have a positive impact on both the environment and the profitability of businesses. The exchange with the participants was very valuable.
The Stiegl Brewery in Salzburg , steeped in tradition, hosted this successful event , providing an ideal setting for this important industry gathering. The event offered all attendees a valuable opportunity to learn about the latest developments and trends in food packaging and to forge valuable connections.
April 2025
Conference “BIOPOLYMERS AND BEYOND”
The conference “BIOPOLYMERS AND BEYOND – Regenerative carbon sources as a perspective for sustainable plastics”, organized by BioBASE, offered two intensive days on the core topics of sustainable plastics.
The participants discussed current regulatory frameworks (such as the EU Green Deal), the potential of renewable raw materials (CO2 and biomass), innovative production technologies and the role of biopolymers and recyclates in the circular economy.
A particular highlight was the presentation by our managing director, Johann Zimmermann, on “Bioplastic Packaging” , in which he highlighted the assessment of sustainability by companies and consumers in relation to price and compared the critical view of bioplastics with other materials.
New product: NaKu PLA/rPLA bottle now also in 150ml
NaKu is expanding its range of bioplastic bottles with the new 150ml PLA/rPLA bottle , the smallest version in the popular series. This compact and versatile bottle is ideal for filling food supplements, powders, and tablets in pharmacies as well as for pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturers.
The bottle is made from 100% renewable raw materials (bioplastic) and already contains 20% recycled rPLA , making it a particularly environmentally friendly solution that conserves fossil resources and supports the circular economy concept.
The NaKu range offers numerous advantages, as the PLA and rPLA bottles are fully biodegradable and compostable, prevent the formation of persistent microplastics, and are free of harmful chemicals and plasticizers (such as Bisphenol A), thus ensuring product safety. With the 150ml bottle, customers choose a sustainable, safe, and practical packaging solution, available in various sizes (150ml, 250ml, 500ml).
New video: The production of NaKu PLA/rPLA bottles
NaKu has released a new video detailing the production of the NaKu PLA/rPLA (bioplastic) bottle – from preform to finished product. The bottle is made from 100% plant-based bioplastic (PLA/rPLA) and also contains 20% recycled PLA.
The video illustrates the steps: injection molding of the preform, strict quality control, and blowing into its final shape. The NaKu bio-bottle is free of petroleum and harmful plasticizers (such as bisphenol A), is compostable according to DIN 13432, and recyclable. It is also 7% lighter than conventional PET bottles, which optimizes transport and reduces CO2 emissions . Unlike PET bottles, which, according to a study, can release carcinogenic benzene into cooking oils, the NaKu bottle is made of purely natural materials that do not release any harmful substances.
Kick-off meeting of the InnoWAP research project
The official launch of the new research project InnoWAP took place on April 9, 2025, with an inspiring kick-off meeting at the BOKU University and Research Centre Tulln (UFT).
NaKu was strongly represented at this exciting event by the team of Johann Zimmermann , Michael Alexander Zeger , Lizzy Weinert , and Laura Mokesch . The team thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and particularly emphasized the intensive and enriching exchange with the other project partners, which provided valuable new impetus for future work.
May 2025
CIRPLEX in Klagenfurt
NaKu successfully presented itself at the CIRPLEX – Circular Plastics Experience Summit Alpen-Adria in Klagenfurt, where it showcased its solutions for sustainable and circular plastics.
The NaKu team focused on innovations made from renewable raw materials. The centerpiece was the NaKu PLA/rPLA bottle – free from plasticizers such as Bisphenol A and partially made from recycled PLA – as well as the NaKu bioplastics cycle , which demonstrates the reduction of petroleum resources and CO2 emissions through the recycling and composting of PLA.
The presentation was complemented by the compostable NaKu sugar card (an alternative to PVC) and various products such as bags made from cornstarch, showcasing the diverse applications of bioplastics in various sectors, from beverages to cosmetics and horticulture. CIRPLEX provided an important platform for networking between startups and industry leaders in the field of sustainable plastics solutions in the Alps-Adriatic region.
June 2025
Circular Academy Podcast: Insights into the world of bioplastics
Johann Zimmermann from NaKu was a guest on the Circular Academy podcast of the food cluster Business Upper Austria – OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH, where he and Lorena Dorninger delved deeply into the topic of biopolymers. The informative and inspiring episode explored key questions surrounding bioplastics : What exactly is this material, how is it currently used for packaging, and what role does the recycling of bioplastics play in the circular economy?
Zimmermann shared his extensive expertise and highlighted the diverse applications of sustainable materials, emphasizing the crucial importance of bioplastics for a viable and sustainable future. Beyond the pure science of materials, the podcast also offered listeners insights into NaKu's philosophy , which is characterized by high transparency and a deep passion for innovation.
For interested listeners, the program offered fascinating facts and "aha!" moments: It explained how to recognize a truly compostable bio-bag , why certain bioplastics can sometimes smell like popcorn , and what the curious, mysterious "cheese sleeping bag" is all about. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about current developments and challenges in the field of sustainable packaging.
KURIER futurezone SPEAK OUT Event 2025
NaKu was also present live at the KURIER futurezone.at SPEAK OUT Festival in 2025 , which took place on June 17th at the MQ Vienna and brought together over 700 participants to exchange ideas about sustainability and innovation.
The workshop "Stop Green Brainwashing ," which focused on discussing concrete examples of misleading environmental advertising, was a key focus for NaKu . Mag. Ute Zimmermann spoke about the problem of counterfeit biodegradable bags : these are conventional plastic bags made from petroleum that are labeled with biodegradable prints or even the "OK Compost" seal to deceive consumers. Zimmermann explained that genuine bags can be distinguished from counterfeit ones by, among other things, the so-called "rustle test" and the specific feel of the material.
Sustainability Island at the Danube Island Festival
From June 20th to 22nd, 2025, NaKu was part of the inaugural Sustainability Island at the Danube Island Festival in Vienna, which was a great success. Under the motto "Experience sustainability – participate – understand," the more than 700.000 visitors were able to experience firsthand how bioplastics work and what contribution they can make to a more environmentally friendly future.
NaKu's interactive stations – including the bioplastics cycle, the composting of organic products, and the popular "Fake or Real?" biodegradable bag quiz – attracted considerable interest. It became clear that awareness of sustainable materials, recycling, and the circular economy is growing. A key focus of the information was the recently launched InnoWAP project , in which NaKu is involved. The project aims to develop an innovative value creation strategy for utilizing locally sourced aquatic plants, particularly from the Old and New Danube in Vienna, as well as reeds from Lake Neusiedl.
A particular highlight was the visit of Vienna's Mayor, Dr. Michael Ludwig, to the information booth. He personally learned about the advantages of bioplastics, their recycling possibilities, the closed-loop bioplastics cycle, and the pioneering InnoWAP project.
July 2025
TEDx Klagenfurt 2025
On June 28, 2025, TEDx Klagenfurt took place under the motto "UP – Unique Perspectives" in the impressive setting of Klagenfurt Airport. NaKu was once again part of this event and made a special impression with a unique highlight: the NaKu Water Bar , where the compostable sugar bottle made of bioplastic took center stage. The bottle, produced from rapidly renewable, plant-based raw materials (PLA/rPLA), quickly became a crowd-pleaser.
Visitors could help themselves to a variety of refreshing water flavors at the water bar and take home the sustainable giveaway. The opportunity to fill and use the bottle on-site fostered lively discussions and made sustainability a tangible experience. Interest in NaKu's solutions was overwhelming. At the information booth, guests learned about the production, compostability, and recyclability of the products. The NaKu bioplastic cycle and the viewing jars, which illustrated the various stages of composting the sugar bottle, were particularly popular.
For NaKu, TEDx Klagenfurt 2025 was a valuable and inspiring platform to bring sustainable innovations closer to a broad and future-oriented audience.
Children's Business Week 2025
In July 2025, NaKu participated in the Children's Business Week in Vienna, an important event promoting the economic education of young people in Austria. The focus was an interactive presentation by Managing Director Johann Zimmermann on the topic of bioplastics.
Under the title "Plastic from Corn and Sugar – How Does That Work?", Zimmermann vividly explained how bioplastics are produced from renewable resources such as cornstarch and sugar. He not only illuminated the technical fundamentals but also the ecological advantages compared to conventional, petroleum-based plastics. Numerous children and young people followed the presentation with great interest and many exciting questions. They learned that bioplastics can be biodegradable, what central role they play in a sustainable circular economy, and why they represent an important building block for a more environmentally friendly future.
September 2025
Expensive or future-proof? Sustainable packaging: between ideal and reality.
On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, NaKu Managing Director Johann Zimmermann gave a well-received presentation at FACHPACK in Nuremberg . As part of SOLPACK 6.0, Zimmermann presented current and exciting insights into market trends in sustainable packaging under the title "Expensive or Future-Proof? Sustainable Packaging Between Ideal and Reality".
Using concrete, practical examples, he illuminated the key questions surrounding bioplastics. The focus was on the critical discussion of whether sustainable packaging solutions should be perceived primarily as a cost factor or rather as a future-proof investment with significant ecological and economic added value. The presentation sparked a lively discussion about the opportunities, challenges, and necessary innovations in the world of sustainable packaging and underscored the great interest of the professional audience in this important topic for the future.
Fachpack 2025
Fachpack 2025 in Nuremberg was a great success for NaKu and focused entirely on sustainable packaging solutions made from bioplastics . The NaKu sugar bottle , presented as a highlight, was of particular interest to visitors because it is made from renewable raw materials and is fully compostable (DIN 13432).
The versatile NaKu bio-films also attracted attention, their flexibility demonstrated through various applications, from food packaging to the charming and hygienic packaging of Boots4Chicks chicken shoes. The product range was complemented by bioplastic containers , which impressed as an environmentally friendly alternative due to their stability and compostability.
Another important topic was the presentation of the InnoWap research project , which focuses on developing innovative, bio-based packaging from aquatic plants and was successfully presented to a wider audience. Fachpack 2025 thus impressively confirmed: sustainability is the future, and NaKu provides the right innovative solutions for it.
October 2025
Innovation event on preventing plastic pollution
Managing Director Johann Zimmermann participated in the innovation event organized by alchemia-nova , which focused on effectively preventing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives. The gathering brought together experts from research, industry, startups, and politics to examine the status quo and discuss solutions.
In the "Inspiration for Innovation" session , Zimmermann presented NaKu's bio-based packaging solutions , which are based on renewable raw materials and represent a genuine alternative to conventional plastics. Previously, Daniel Steinitz from the Microplastics-Free Alliance had emphasized the urgent need to switch to packaging-free or biodegradable solutions.
In the concluding panel discussion, Zimmermann, together with representatives from BOKU, BMLUK, Mondi, VLIZ, and 123Zero, addressed the challenges of scaling up sustainable solutions for the market, with a particular focus on certifications, political frameworks, and regional supply chains . The event underscored the importance of collaboration and exchange for the transition to a petroleum-free plastic future, to which NaKu aims to actively contribute with bioplastic solutions.
New company brochure
The new NaKu company brochure for 2025 has been published and presents the vision of natural plastic made from renewable raw materials such as cornstarch and sugar, which is compostable according to DIN EN 13432. The brochure showcases the wide product range, including bio-bags , the 120% sustainable PLA/rPLA bottle , bio-cans, and the innovative sugar card.
One focus is on the "double loop" concept (recycling and composting) to promote the circular economy and a commitment to transparency . NaKu raises awareness about counterfeit biodegradable bags and showcases its numerous awards, such as the Energy Globe Award Austria , thereby underscoring its leading role in sustainable, pollutant-free packaging solutions as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics.
November 2025
LVA Continuing Education – “Sustainable FCM”
On November 5, 2025, LVA GmbH held a seminar on sustainability and the circular economy in food packaging . We are pleased to announce that our Managing Director, Johann Zimmermann, was invited as a speaker.
In his presentation on the topic of “Sustainable FMC”, Mr. Zimmermann offered practical insights into the world of bio-based plastics and showed how these innovative materials can effectively contribute to reducing environmental pollution.
The seminar addressed the central tension between the growing demand for sustainability and the strict adherence to food safety . The event offered participants concise knowledge and a rational approach to the topic, enabling them to better assess alternative, "green" materials within the context of the circular economy and to examine their own implementation options.
CREATE Symposium: Bio-based plastics on their way into practice
On November 10, 2025, the first CREATE symposium entitled “Bio-based plastics on the way to practical application” took place at the SKZ in Würzburg , bringing together experts from industry and science to actively shape the bio-based transformation of the plastics industry.
A particular highlight was the presentation by Johann Zimmermann , Managing Director of NaKu. He highlighted the challenges and opportunities of sustainable packaging solutions and presented the NaKu sugar bottle as an innovative example demonstrating how functionality and sustainability can be combined.
NaKu was also present with an accompanying exhibition showcasing the diversity of its bioplastic products – from bio-based carrier bags and packaging films to bio-based household roll products, sugar cards, and, of course, sugar bottles. Visitors were able to see the eco-friendly alternatives for themselves, including concrete product examples (such as loop labels and insert labels) based on the stronger biopolymer film.
The symposium is part of a BMWK-funded project that aims to identify obstacles to the integration of renewable raw materials and to make sustainable alternatives industrially usable. NaKu was pleased with the intensive exchange and looks forward to jointly shaping new paths for a sustainable future for plastics.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about NaKu in 2025
Which major trade fairs did NaKu attend in 2025?
NaKu was present at BIOFACH in Nuremberg, FACHPACK in Nuremberg and the CIRPLEX Summit in Klagenfurt, among other events, to exchange information on sustainable packaging solutions.
What was the main topic of Johann Zimmermann's presentation at FACHPACK?
The presentation was titled “Expensive or future-proof? Sustainable packaging between ideal and reality” and highlighted market trends as well as the challenges of bioplastics in the market.
What new research project did NaKu present in 2025?
The research project InnoWAP (Innovative Value Creation Strategy for Aquatic Plants) was presented. It aims to use locally sourced aquatic plants (e.g., reeds from Lake Neusiedl) for the production of bio-based packaging solutions.
What was the highlight at the NaKu stand at the Danube Island Festival?
NaKu was part of the newly established sustainability island and presented, among other things, the "Fake or Real?" biodegradable bag quiz and the InnoWAP project. A highlight was the visit of Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig.
How did NaKu participate in the SPEAK OUT Festival?
Mag. Ute Zimmermann gave a presentation in the workshop “Stop Green Brainwashing” . She explained the problem of counterfeit organic bags (petroleum-based plastic with an organic label) and how to distinguish between them.
Which products were the focus of the trade fairs in 2025?
The spotlight was on the NaKu sugar bottle (PLA/rPLA bottle), the bio-based packaging films (e.g. for the unusual chicken shoes from Boots4Chicks) and the compostable sugar card as a PVC alternative.
What was the goal of the workshop at the Children's Business Week?
Under the title "Plastic made from corn and sugar - how does that work?", Managing Director Zimmermann explained to children and young people the production of bioplastics and their ecological advantages in terms of the circular economy.
What information does the new NaKu company brochure 2025 provide?
The brochure presents the entire product range and focuses on the “Double Loop” (recycling and composting) to promote the circular economy, as well as raising awareness about greenwashing and the correct use of bioplastics.
What unique selling point do the NaKu PLA/rPLA bottles have?
They are made from 100% renewable raw materials (PLA) and already contain 20% recycled PLA (rPLA) . They are free of plasticizers (such as Bisphenol A) and compostable (DIN 13432).
What role did NaKu play at the CREATE symposium in Würzburg?
NaKu participated in the symposium, which promoted the bio-based transformation of the plastics industry. Johann Zimmermann gave a presentation on sustainable packaging solutions and introduced the NaKu sugar bottle as a practical, innovative example.
