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The packaging sector of the Northern Netherlands

From eco-friendly fibre packaging to smart sensor tags in Leeuwarden and high-tech machinery in Drenthe, the Northern Netherlands is quietly becoming a packaging powerhouse.

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Packaging 2

The packaging sector in the Northern Netherlands has deep roots, dating back to the 18th century when the first paper mills laid the foundation for an industry that continues to thrive today. Over time, the region has evolved into a hub where craftsmanship meets innovation, and tradition blends seamlessly with international ambition.

Its expertise in fibre-based packaging remains a point of pride. From the early 1900s origins of what is now Huhtamaki’s Franeker plant, employing around 150 people, to the cutting-edge systems produced by Tetra Pak in Heerenveen. Supported by a strong dairy and food industry, including FrieslandCampina, the North continues to attract global leaders developing smarter, more sustainable packaging solutions.

"Because Tetra Pak is an international company, the default working language is English. Tetra Pak was recommended thanks to its good working environment and thoughtful employee growth support"

yuxiao-xhao-tech-expert-tetra-pak
Yuxiao Zhao Data Science and Computational Fluid Dynamics Specialist at Tetra Pak

Major players

  • Tetra Pak — Designs and builds world-leading dairy and powder processing systems in Heerenveen, powering sustainable food packaging worldwide.
  • Xelvin — A technical recruitment agency that connects engineers with Northern Netherlands’ high-tech industries, bridging local companies and international technical talent.
  • Miron Violetglass — Produces violet-hued glass jars that naturally preserve organic products, exporting its sleek designs from Drenthe to the world.
  • ToolMax — A fast-growing Groningen-based e-commerce hub that supplies tools and equipment to professionals.
  • Royal NNZ Group — Groningen’s century-old packaging house, supplying sustainable nets and bags to farmers and industries across 50 countries.
  • Tapp — A Leeuwarden startup merging paper and electronics to make smart, sensor-equipped packaging that tracks freshness in transit.
  • 365Werk — A Groningen employment platform that keeps the region’s warehouses, packaging lines, and logistics networks running smoothly.
  • Cycloon — The country’s greenest delivery service, born in Groningen, delivering parcels and social impact by bike.
  • Henkel — From Scheemda, this global adhesives giant develops the bonding technologies that hold countless packages together.
  • Pyroll Winschoten — Finnish precision meets Dutch craftsmanship in this East-Groningen converter of high-quality cardboard and paperboard.
  • Solidus Solutions — A circular-economy powerhouse turning recycled fibres into custom packaging for food, pharma, and industry.
  • Sparck Technologies — Drachten’s century-old innovator behind the world’s fastest auto-boxing systems for e-commerce fulfillment.
  • Manter International — The Drenthe-based firm is focused on creating smart machines that weigh, fill, and pack fresh produce with pinpoint accuracy.
  • Huhtamaki Nederland — In Franeker, this Finnish group transforms recycled paper into moulded-fibre packaging used by brands across Europe.
Tetra Pak Two Liner
Miron Logo
Toolmax
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cycloon logo
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Pyroll
Solidus Group Logo
Sparck Technologies Logo Main (1)
Logo Manter Wit
Huhtamaki Logo

The opportunity

One of the most encouraging aspects of the packaging sector in Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe is its openness to international talent. Many employers in this field have a history of hiring non-Dutch speakers, either because of their global orientation or due to labour market needs.

You’re best positioned for a role in this sector if you have the skills to fill high-tech and engineering roles crucial to the success of these companies. Similarly, with English being commonly used in R&D settings, looking for a role in this area is also feasible.

On the other hand, many packaging-related production jobs in factories traditionally had Dutch as the shop-floor language, so expect to fluency in the language as a requirement for these types of roles. That being said, with labour shortages in manufacturing, the right opportunity could present itself — make sure you’re ready for a tailored CV and cover letter.

💡Tip: The national Dutch federation for packaging producers is the VNV, which aside from organising conferences and chances to network, also pools sector-specific job adverts. It’s worth checking them out!

Companies and jobs in packaging

How to get there?

The Northern Netherlands offers some English-taught tracks that feed into packaging careers.

The University of Groningen’s (RUG) MSc in Industrial Engineering & Management is taught entirely in English and combines engineering, sustainability, and business – a highly relevant programme for a career in the packaging sector.

Likewise, the MSc in Supply Chain Management prepares graduates for logistics and operations roles, which can include managing packaging flows in distribution or procurement of packaging materials.

If you’re seeking to further your training, also consider the national body for packaging engineers, the NVC. The NVC offers a number of training workshops and symposia about the industry and its future, as well as lists of suppliers, a knowledge bank and even E-courses. Slightly further down the supply chain, there is also a national association for packaging materials makers: the NVGP. If you lack formal packaging education, you can take advantage of these courses (some even in English) to boost your credentials.