Founder of GréngEurope on Building Luxembourg’s First Woman-Owned Sustainable Packaging Business

GréngEurope, Luxembourg's first woman-owned business dedicated exclusively to sustainable packaging solutions, is on a mission to help businesses and individuals transition toward eco-friendly alternatives by offering innovative packaging that reduce environmental impact without compromising quality or design. 

Chronicle.lu recently talked with Sreevidya Subramoniam, founder of GréngEurope, to discuss her inspiration, the challenges in establishing the business in Luxembourg and the long-term vision for the company.

Chronicle.lu: What inspired you to found GréngEurope, and how did your personal journey lead you to focus on sustainable packaging?

Sreevidya Subramoniam: I founded GréngEurope in 2025 (registered in December 2024) because I wanted to turn a personal concern into real action. Over the years, I had been working as an entrepreneur here and there, always curious about finding better ways to solve problems and create value. What stood out to me most was how much waste came from packaging and how difficult it was for businesses to find solutions that were truly eco-friendly and still practical. That experience shaped the idea behind GréngEurope. For me, it is about helping businesses reduce their environmental impact while staying competitive - proving that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand. At the heart of it, I see GréngEurope as my way of combining my entrepreneurial drive with a responsibility to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Chronicle.lu: What is the mission and long-term vision of GréngEurope?

Sreevidya Subramoniam: The mission is to develop practical, eco-friendly packaging solutions that empower businesses to reduce their environmental impact while remaining competitive and innovative. The vision is to lead the shift toward a future where sustainable packaging is the standard, not the exception - creating a world where business growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us more about the types of sustainable packaging solutions you offer and what makes them innovative compared to conventional options. 

Sreevidya Subramoniam: GréngEurope offers a range of compostable takeaway boxes crafted from sustainable materials such as bagasse (sugarcane pulp), recycled paper, and biodegradable cardboard. These materials are not only eco-friendly but also durable and food-safe, ensuring that the packaging maintains the quality of the food while being kind to the planet. 

The company also provides recyclable and biodegradable paper bags, suitable for various uses including retail, fashion, and food industries. These bags are designed to decompose naturally, reducing environmental impact compared to conventional plastic bags.  GréngEurope's cotton-based products include reusable bags and other items made from ethically sourced cotton. These products are designed to be durable and washable, promoting a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.

We also offer a diverse range of jute products, including bags, home decor and rugs. Jute is a natural, biodegradable material known for its strength and sustainability, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious consumers. GréngEurope also provides biodegradable cutlery options that are compostable and made from sustainable materials. These alternatives to traditional plastic cutlery help reduce plastic waste and are suitable for various foodservice applications

Chronicle.lu: What challenges have you (perhaps) faced in sourcing or developing materials that truly minimise environmental impact?

Sreevidya Subramoniam: At GréngEurope, our mission is to make sustainable living accessible - but the path to truly eco-friendly materials is not without challenges. One of our ongoing challenges is supply chain transparency, ensuring that every material we use is genuinely sustainable. Many suppliers label their products as “green” but obtaining full traceability and certifications that meet our standards can be difficult. We work hard to verify that our sourcing adds value to our customers and end users.

Balancing performance with sustainability is a challenge. Eco-materials sometimes struggle to match the durability, flexibility or shelf life of conventional plastics. Developing products that are both practical for everyday use and environmentally sound requires careful research and innovation.

Cost and scalability are also challenges. Sustainable alternatives are often more costly, particularly at scale. Striking the right balance between affordability for consumers and staying true to our mission is an ongoing challenge, especially as we expand.

We remain committed to monitoring new innovations in the packaging industry and integrating with existing solutions as they mature and educating our community about proper usage and disposal is as important as the products themselves. We face the challenge of ensuring customers understand what sustainability really means in practice. For example, biodegradable does not mean instant disintegration.

Chronicle.lu: You described GréngEurope as Luxembourg's first woman-owned business dedicated exclusively to sustainable packaging solutions - what does this milestone mean to you personally and professionally?

Sreevidya Subramoniam: Being recognised as Luxembourg’s first woman-owned business dedicated exclusively to sustainable packaging is both humbling and empowering. Personally, it means a lot because it reflects the journey of turning a genuine concern into something tangible, and it reminds me that even small ideas can grow into movements that matter. It is also a proud moment to represent women in entrepreneurship, especially in a space that is often seen as very technical/STEM or industry-driven like finance.

Professionally, it reinforces the responsibility I feel - to not only deliver innovative, eco-friendly packaging but also to inspire other businesses and entrepreneurs to think differently about sustainability. It is more than just a milestone; it is a reminder that change is possible when you combine purpose with action.

Chronicle.lu: How big is your team currently, and do you hope to grow?

Sreevidya Subramoniam: Right now, I manage the entire operations myself which allows me to stay hands-on, creative and very focused on our clients’ needs. 

Of course, the hope is to grow over time. As demand for sustainable packaging beyond Luxembourg’s borders continues to rise, I see GréngEurope expanding not just in size, but also in the impact we can make - partnering with more businesses, exploring new materials and pushing the boundaries of what eco-friendly packaging can achieve.

Chronicle.lu: Have you received any support (financial or otherwise) from the government or other institutions / organisations? Have you found Luxembourg's business ecosystem supportive of women entrepreneurs and sustainability-focused startups?

Sreevidya Subramoniam: Yes, we have been fortunate to receive support from several institutions that promote innovation and sustainability. For example, the Chamber of Entrepreneurship has been a great resource and I have personally benefited from guidance from their counsellors. We have also secured six months of funding for new businesses from the Luxembourg government, which has been instrumental in helping us get started.

In addition, we are in discussions with various associations and institutions to showcase and promote our products. One of our ongoing goals is to gain broader recognition as a serious local business, particularly within the Luxembourg business community. As a Sàrl-S, it is important for us that our size and structure are taken seriously, so we can continue building credibility and expanding our impact.  We are also partnering with Go Express Logistics for our warehousing operations and CFL Multimodal for our shipping logistics. Through these strategic collaborations and investments, we demonstrate to our customers that we are committed to this business with professionalism and long-term vision

Chronicle.lu: What are your next goals for the company?

Sreevidya Subramoniam: The next goals for GréngEurope are focused on growth and impact. We want to expand our range of sustainable packaging solutions, that make eco-friendly options even more practical for businesses. At the same time, we aim to grow new partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships, so we can reach more clients while maintaining the quality and values that define us. Ultimately, our goal is to make sustainable packaging the standard, not the exception, and to show that businesses can thrive while being responsible stewards of the environment.