Aerial view of Starlinger Factory 1 in Weissenbach, Austria

Starlinger Factory 1 in Weissenbach an der Triesting, Lower Austria. ©Starlinger

Two Starlinger technicians at a plastics recycling line

In addition to machinery for woven plastic sack production Starlinger also supplies plastics recycling lines to customers all over the world. They are developed and produced in the Starlinger plants in Weissenbach and St. Martin, Austria, as well as in Schwerin, Germany. ©Starlinger

Record Turnover in 2023/2024

Starlinger & Co Gesellschaft m.b.H. reports positive results for the fiscal year 2023/2024: The company has achieved the highest turnover in the company's history to date at just under 400 million – a doubling of turnover since 2016.

“One of the reasons for our economic success is our diversified machine portfolio,” explained Angelika Huemer, Managing Partner of Starlinger. “On the one hand, we supply woven sack production machinery to the woven plastic packaging market, on the other hand, we manufacture recycling systems for a wide range of plastics. As an export-oriented company, we deliver to countries all over the world and can compensate the recession in one region with the economic upturn in another.” In the past fiscal year, Starlinger achieved an export ratio of 99.43 %. For its export activities, the company has been awarded the Austrian Export Prize twice already.

Sustainable plastic packaging – from production to recycling

Starlinger has made a name for itself on the global market as a manufacturer of systems for the production of woven plastic bags since the early 1970s. After delivering the first recycling systems for production waste from woven polypropylene sack manufacture in 1987, the division Starlinger recycling technology was founded in 2002, followed by the division Starlinger viscotec in 2005. Both divisions focus on the recycling and refinement of plastic waste and constitute important pillars of the company. “Our aim is to create closed loops for as many plastic products as possible and thus avoid downcycling,” said Harald Neumüller, CSO of Starlinger. “When a PET bottle becomes a PET bottle and a woven sack becomes a woven sack again, we have achieved our goal.”

With its circular solutions for woven plastic packaging, the company is a pioneer in this field. Starlinger sack production systems are designed to process high shares of recycled input materials. Woven sack producers thus have the opportunity to create sustainable dry bulk packaging such as big bags or sacks for cement, grains and animal feed by adding recycled materials and complying with DfR (Design for Recycling) specifications.

Sustainability is also a top priority within the company itself. The CSR department ensures an environment- and employee-friendly workplace and implements projects such as photovoltaic systems and health at work. Starlinger also participates in the UN Global Compact, the world's largest sustainability initiative for companies, and follows its principles for responsible business practices.

Employer with an international profile

With eleven foreign branches and over 1000 employees worldwide, Starlinger serves customers in more than 130 countries. Around 600 employees work at the two plants in Weissenbach an der Triesting alone. "As one of the largest employers in the Triestingtal region, we are committed to our employees, because each and every one of them contributes to Starlinger's economic success. Of course this also applies to our plants in Upper Austria, Schwerin and China,” said Angelika Huemer. “Well-educated specialists are essential in mechanical engineering, which is why we pay particular attention to our apprenticeship training,” she added. Starlinger educates apprentices in the fields of electrical engineering and metals technology and also provides extra trainings such as English lessons. From the age of 18, apprentices also have the opportunity to take part in machine assemblies abroad.