Genera invests $340M to expand sustainable packaging manufacturing facility in Tennessee
Genera has expanded its sustainable packaging manufacturing facility in Vonore, Tennessee. The company, which produces molded fiber packaging from renewable grasses, invested more than $340 million in the expansion and created over 200 new jobs in Monroe County.
The facility now has the capacity to produce more than 30,000 tons of molded fiber packaging annually—equivalent to over 2 billion units—serving the needs of food manufacturing, food service, retail, and consumer packaged goods companies. With fully integrated and automated U.S. operations, the plant allows brand owners to move away from single-use plastics while securing supply from a domestic, transparent source. Genera’s packaging is made from locally grown regenerative grasses and is certified compostable and recyclable. The expanded operation also supports the production of additional bioproducts, such as wet lap market pulp and a new industrial material designed to replace or enhance conventional products and chemicals.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Ben Mascarello, CEO, Genera, said,
“Completing this expansion is a pivotal step in Genera’s journey tobecoming the world’s leading manufacturer of quality, sustainable packaging. It enables us to meet growing customer demand for domestically manufactured molded fiber solutions as the shift away from single-use plastics continues. We are also proud to bring over 200 new jobs to Vonore and Monroe County.”
Kelly Tiller, PhD, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Genera, added, “This isn’t just an investment in equipment—it’s an investment in the future of sustainable manufacturing. We’re transforming underutilized farmland and regenerative grasses into next-generation packaging and bioproducts, proving that circular solutions can be both scalable and rooted in local communities.”
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Investing in American manufacturing in 2025
This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.