30 Mar. 2023: Packaging innovator, Cullen Eco-Friendly Packaging is set to increase production to a massive one billion plastic free units per year as the demand soars for its sustainable corrugated and moulded fibre packaging to replace plastic in high volumes. That’s a 67% increase from its previous high of 1.2 billion units produced in 2021-2022.
Cullen’s production has hit an all-time high this quarter, with increased demand from retailers, health services and food and drink producers in the 34 countries it serves, including the UK. In response, the packaging pioneer is poised to build more of its own patented machines, all of which are made exclusively in-house, as well as bespoke tooling to handle the increasingly complex orders for high volumes of moulded fibre versions of plastic packaging.
The increased demand is partially due to the increasingly diverse range of plastic packaging that Cullen is being asked to replace, including secondary and tertiary packaging styles such as collation trays, protective inserts and transport packs. These exceptionally high volume products are ‘easy wins’ for retailers and producers in their battle to make supply chains greener. The entirely biodegradable moulded fibre material itself is made from Cullen’s circular manufacturing process, using recycled byproducts of its corrugate packaging business.
Cullen’s production boost is welcome news for those affected by the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, which will mean that businesses will be liable for further taxation on harder-to-recycle packaging, including plastics. The exposure for sustainable packaging is far smaller making many cost differences between plastic and moulded fibre packaging negligible.
David MacDonald, Cullen ECO-Friendly Packaging’s Owner. CEO and EY Entrepreneur of the Year UK Transformational Leader, said: “Many companies are daunted by the upcoming EPR legislation, but more are starting to realise there are moulded fibre-based packaging replacements for plastic in the volumes they need. It’s not only much more tax-friendly, it’s also a huge leap forward for sustainability, so it’s a win-win. Thanks to our advances in innovation, like our Fibre Bottle, a paper bottle replacement for plastic bottles and pouches for dry goods, we’re at a point where there are viable sustainable alternatives to most single-use plastic packaging”.
About Cullen
As Europe’s only combined manufacturer of moulded pulp and corrugate packaging, Cullen have produced over 1 billion plastic free products since 2020 to over 34 countries globally. Cullen aims to grow this significantly over the next five years through extensive infrastructure investment, innovation and education.
Cullen are manufacturers of products and machines, allowing them to support clients in developing a bespoke, plastic free sustainable product at scale.
Through their unique manufacturing process and 100 years of experience, it prioritises product functionality in line with sustainability, to ensure its paper-based products and packaging are fit for purpose whilst being fully recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.
Cullen are unique in that they operate a bespoke, closed loop recycling system that utilises the waste from their 30million sqm of corrugate cardboard packaging as the raw material to form their secondary product, their moulded fibre range.
A proud UK manufacturer and local employer of over 230 staff, all production takes place at their 14 Acre site in Glasgow, Scotland
Celebrating their centenary in 2021, the company remains committed to helping customers do business whilst alleviating non-recyclable waste and reliance on single-use plastic packaging.