Coveris launches UK hub for recyclable wicketted bag production

UK – Coveris has inaugurated a dedicated center of excellence for wicketted bags at its Hartlepool facility in the United Kingdom, targeting rising needs in bakery, fresh produce, and sanitary product sectors. 

This new setup serves as a primary hub for the company’s lightweight, recyclable packaging options, enabling faster delivery and customized solutions for brands and retailers. 

According to company officials, the center integrates full production stages from raw material processing to final assembly, which shortens timelines and supports high-volume operations.

At the heart of the facility’s output are Coveris’ MonoFlex Lite films made from monomaterial polyethylene, designed for wicketted bags that handle chilled, frozen, or room-temperature goods. 

These bags perform reliably on high-speed packing lines, ensuring efficiency for manufacturers.

David Humes, plant manager at Coveris Hartlepool, stated, “With our new UK center of excellence and extensive capacity for wicketted bags, we support brands, manufacturers, and retailers with expert packaging and service.” 

He added that the team’s expertise in extrusion, printing, and color control allows them to address seasonal peaks, specific product needs, and regulatory demands in these markets.

The production process at Hartlepool incorporates in-house extrusion, reprographics, platemaking, flexographic printing, and conversion, which streamlines workflows and fosters ongoing improvements. 

Bags here feature up to eight colors for eye-catching designs, along with practical elements like bottom gussets, secure flaps, and resealable options. 

In a statement, Coveris highlighted how its Freshlife technology, applied to these bags, helps prolong shelf life for perishable items and cuts down on food loss.

Beyond food and hygiene applications, the site supplies specialized wicketted bags to banking, healthcare, medical diagnostics, mailing, security, and e-commerce industries, meeting diverse performance standards. 

On the environmental front, the facility recycles its own production scraps and client waste into premium recycled resin suitable for non-food uses, ensuring full compliance with the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax. 

This closed-loop approach processes materials efficiently, turning potential discards into reusable resources.

Coveris Hartlepool maintains a Gold rating from EcoVadis for sustainability practices and an AA+ certification under BRCGS Packaging Materials Issue 7, confirming its adherence to global standards. 

The company further advances recycling through its ReCover Louth de-inking plant, which handles complex waste streams. 

In recent developments, Coveris introduced the MonoFlexBP resealable tray in September 2025, a monomaterial innovation for chilled foods that complements the wicketted bag lineup by offering similar recyclability benefits. 

Earlier this year, the firm invested US$1.86 million to upgrade linerless label production, expanding its sustainable offerings across the UK market. 

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