Investing in sustainable innovations to address pressing environmental challenges
Emma Gregory, External Communications Manager
| BASF
Ahead of the publication of the government’s Industrial Strategy, the collaboration between BASF, Pulpex and its partners showcases industry’s tangible commitment to sustainable innovative solutions and the green transition.
Established in 2020, our partnership represents a significant leap forward in sustainable packaging technology, leading to the creation of an innovative paper bottle that aims to revolutionise the packaging industry. The partnership is a prime example of how innovation, tailored chemistry and international brand collaboration can converge to address pressing environmental challenges. The joint efforts of the two organisations have been recognised with several awards, including the Society of Chemical Industry 'Innovation Enabled by Partnership' Award and the Royal Society of Chemistry ‘Innovation through Partnership Prize’.
In March 2025, Pulpex announced a £62m Series D investment round led by the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank. The fundraise will finance the construction of Pulpex’s first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow, marking their joint first investment in Scotland since its transformation. Construction of the planned 50m-bottle-per-annum facility will create the UK’s first fibre bottle supply chain.
Pulpex is a pioneering packaging technology company with a clear mission: to deliver sustainable solutions through renewable packaging. At the heart of Pulpex's innovation is the use of sustainably sourced wood fibre, which is both PEFC-accredited and FSC-certified, ensuring that the materials used are environmentally responsible. The company has developed proven, patented technology that serves as a scalable alternative to traditional glass and plastic packaging.
This innovation is not just about creating a new product; it is about redefining how consumers and brands perceive and interact with packaging materials.
The bespoke R&D and pilot production facility located at Pulpex’s headquarters in Cambridge, UK plays a crucial role in this mission, allowing Pulpex to design and produce packaging solutions tailored to the needs of various markets.
For over five years, BASF and Pulpex have worked together to develop the concept in close conjunction with other corporate partners. The underlying objective was to develop a bottle that was renewable, biodegradable and recyclable through existing paper recycling schemes.
BASF has a long tradition as a supplier of innovative solutions for the packaging industry and has an expert network of highly experienced technicians who support customers in product development and process optimisation.
Vikki Callaghan, Packaging Project Manager at BASF plc, said: “A critical aspect of this novel project has been the development of proprietary, food-grade barrier technologies that accommodate various applications. These barrier technologies are essential for ensuring that the paper bottle can effectively hold liquids without compromising the product's quality or safety.”
The resulting fibre bottle is lightweight and recyclable, offers brand owners an alternative to plastic and glass bottles and meets the needs of modern consumers while addressing environmental concerns.
Vikki continues, "We are helping to drive positive innovation in the packaging industry and are determined to help deliver sustainable packaging materials where we can, while ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of our products. Working closely and openly with partners is vital for the success of this project. It really is a story of rapid innovation, custom formulated chemistry and international brand owner collaboration.”
Darren Budd, Commercial Director at BASF UK & Ireland, comments, “The UK has a rich heritage in innovation and R&D with some of the world’s best universities and research institutions. Innovation is a focus at BASF which is why we were delighted to be able to support Pulpex in this application for funding. To progress further, the UK should continue facilitating a supportive policy and regulatory framework that will allow companies like BASF to develop further collaborations and commercialise these green technologies.”
The construction of Pulpex’s first manufacturing facility delivers commercial-scale capacity that will help accelerate the deployment of the technology in the UK and the wider alternative packaging sector.
Speaking about the recent investment, Scott Winston, CEO of Pulpex Ltd, commented: "Alongside BASF and our other close collaborators, we continue to show the incredible power of partnership and how it can drive science and innovation forward at scale. This investment will drive the decarbonisation of the packaging sector using leading edge green chemistry to ensure this much-needed alternative to glass and plastic will deliver its ambition. Accelerated by the incredible business ecosystem that flourishes within Scotland, this will demonstrate the scalability of Pulpex technology for partners to adopt globally.”
As industries worldwide grapple with the implications of climate change and increasing consumer awareness regarding sustainability, the partnership between BASF and Pulpex stands as a beacon of hope. Their innovative approach to creating a recyclable fibre bottle not only addresses a market need but also sets a precedent for how collaboration can drive meaningful change.
In addition, the collaborative effort between all of the partners exemplifies how a robust R&D funding ecosystem can catalyse innovation in sustainable packaging. Supported by UK government R&D funding, this partnership highlights the importance of an enabling environment for business investment, which is essential for the successful deployment of technological innovations aligned with the net-zero goal.
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