For decades, industries have faced a tough choice: stick with reliable plastic netting or try eco-friendly alternatives that might not hold up. What if you no longer had to choose between performance and sustainability? This question is at the heart of Naconet™, Conwed’s groundbreaking compostable netting solution. Launched in 2026 with full BPI certification to ASTM D6400 standards, Naconet™ demonstrates that high performance and environmental responsibility can co-exist. It provides the same reinforcement and durability as conventional plastic netting, yet leaves no plastic waste behind. In this article, we explore how Naconet™ was engineered to deliver sustainability without compromise – proving that going plastic-free doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or strength.  

Engineered for High Performance (No Trade-Offs)

Traditionally, plastic netting has been trusted for its strength and reliability. Conwed’s Naconet™ was developed to match those exact performance characteristics – from tensile strength to durability – using a bio-based polymer instead of petroleum plastic. In internal tests and field pilots, Naconet™ reinforced turf and secured agricultural products just as effectively as conventional polypropylene netting. The net’s design ensures it withstands the rigors of real-world use: heavy sod laden with soil and moisture, high wind on an exposed slope, or the stresses of packaging and transport. Users can rely on Naconet™ to perform “just like plastic” during a project’s critical phases. The result is a netting that delivers the support, containment, and protection you’re used to – without the environmental cost of leaving plastics behind.

One key to Naconet’s no-compromise performance is engineering innovation. Conwed’s materials scientists tailored a plant-based polymer to be strong yet completely industrially compostable. They optimized the net’s structure to have comparable tensile strength and flexibility as standard plastic mesh, so it can integrate seamlessly into existing operations. For example, Naconet™ is compatible with standard netting equipment, unlike some natural-fiber nets that can break or jam machinery. This means no retraining or new tools are required – a subtle but important performance factor for busy operations. In short, Naconet™ was built to ensure that choosing a sustainable product does not mean any loss of efficiency or reliability on the job

Why Sustainability is Now Non-Negotiable

The drive to eliminate plastic waste is not just a noble goal – it’s becoming a necessity in today’s business and regulatory environment. Microplastics from conventional nets are accumulating in soils and waterways, raising red flags for environmental and human health. At the same time, governments and industry bodies worldwide are rolling out restrictions on single-use plastics, including certain types of plastic netting and packaging materials. This means the old approach of “use plastic and worry about waste later” is rapidly losing viability. Companies that fail to adapt risk running afoul of new regulations and losing trust with eco-conscious clients.

Naconet™ was created against this backdrop of rising sustainability expectations. “Sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s becoming a requirement,” notes Christopher Hakanson, Conwed’s Director of R&D. He led the development of Naconet™ and emphasizes that customers needed “a solution that performs just as well as plastic but doesn’t leave a legacy of waste.” This ethos – achieving full performance with zero plastic legacy – is what sets Naconet™ apart. In practice, using Naconet allows companies to keep delivering high-quality products and projects while aligning with the waste reduction targets and environmental standards that are now expected across markets.

A New Standard: High-Performance & Zero Plastic Waste

Naconet™ is among the first netting solutions to earn third-party verified compostability certification, making it a trailblazer in proving that “high performance, no plastic waste” is an attainable standard. It fully composts into natural soil nutrients (water, carbon dioxide, organic biomass) after use, requiring no removal from the field or job site. This not only prevents any long-term pollution, but it also saves significant labor and disposal costs associated with collecting and landfilling plastic nets.

By eliminating the trade-offs between strength and sustainability, Naconet™ enables a win-win scenario: you get the robust netting performance your project demands, and the planet gets a cleaner outcome. Companies adopting Naconet can maintain productivity and quality while directly contributing to their sustainability goals. Sustainability without compromise is no longer just an ideal – with Naconet™, it’s an everyday reality.