1868

The young couple, Carl Albert and Emilie Greiner, founds the company in Nürtingen, Germany and opens a general store, which amongst other goods sells bottled soda water sealed with hand-made corks. 

1878

During a visit to the World Exhibition in Paris, Carl Albert Greiner purchases a cutting machine for the production of corks. Soon afterwards, he is able to supply other beverage producers with his bottle stoppers. 

1899

Hermann Greiner (Carl Albert’s second oldest son) is commissioned with the equipping and management of a cork stopper factory in Kremsmünster, Upper Austria. Hermann Greiner starts production on 1 July with a workforce of 45.

1950

During the year, the cork supplier countries impose exorbitantly high export duties. At the company, plastics and foam are already the object of consideration. 

1952

A foam machine is installed in Nürtingen, Germany for the production of PU flexible foam. 

1956

Foam manufacture commences in Kremsmünster using a small, non-automatic foam machine. 

1960

The first injection molding machine in Kremsmünster is commissioned.

1963

Production of the first petri dishes in Germany commences and thus marks the birth of Greiner Bio-One.

1973

The manufacture of technical laboratory products is launched in Kremsmünster.

1986

The company is legally restructured as Greiner Holding AG.

1989

Greiner becomes one of the first companies to fully exploit the opportunities offered by the post-Communist economies of Eastern Europe and gradually opens up new markets. The first group company in the region is purchased in Hungary.

1999

Following restructuring on 1 January, all company units operate as single, independent entities. The group possesses an extensive and diversified product portfolio based on its core competences in the areas of plastics and foam.

2001

Greiner Bio-One International AG is founded. Greiner Holding AG holds shares in Greiner Bio-One International AG.

2010

The new Greiner Technology & Innovation and Greiner Foam International business units are founded.

During the year, Greiner Holding AG achieves sales revenues of EUR 821 million and Greiner Bio-One International AG, EUR 311 million. A workforce totaling over 7,400 is employed at 123 locations worldwide.

2012

With a joint venture in South Africa, Greiner Foam International founds the first group location on the African continent and Greiner Bio-One starts to explore the Indian market.

At the end of the year, the Greiner Group has 138 locations in 31 countries.

2013

The continuation of problematic general conditions and a gloomy outlook result in the decision to opt for the orderly closure of Greiner Renewable Energy GmbH (solar energy business unit).

Following the cessation of a search for a purchaser for Greiner Perfoam, owing to the inadequate future concepts of the interested parties, in May Greiner Perfoam becomes a group business unit.

2014

The most successful financial year in Greiner history. Presentation of the “ Vision 2020” program and the “Plastics for Life” sustainability strategy.

2015

The taking of a majority holding in Greiner Packaging Teknik Plastik in Istanbul results in expansion in Turkey.

2016

The groundbreaking ceremony for the enlargement of Greiner Bio-One headquarters in Kremsmünster takes place on 1 July. The work is scheduled for completion by August 2017 and is planned to virtually triple the amount of office space available and improve both organizational cooperation and communications. This expansion also underlines Greiner Bio-One’s future growth potential.

2017

17 October sees the groundbreaking ceremony for the conversion of the existing headquarters in Kremsmünster into the Greiner Campus, a modern office and training center. By the spring of 2019, apart from apprentice training facilities, additional offices and workspace, and a bistro are to be added. Convenient parking for employees is to be provided in the form of an on-site garage and at the same time a maximum number of green spaces is to be retained. 

2018

Greiner celebrates its 150^th birthday. With the opening of his small, general store in Nürtingen, Germany, in September 1868, Carl Albert Greiner thus laid the foundation stone for the internationally successful concern of today. In October, the group holding ceases to operate as Greiner Holding AG and changes its name to Greiner AG.