Cullen invests US$6.3M in Glasgow expansion, targeting doubled output with in-house moulded fibre machine

UK – Cullen Sustainable Packaging has invested £5 million (approximately US$6.3 million) in expanding its Glasgow manufacturing operations, launching the proprietary Moulded Fibre Machine 8000 designed and built entirely in-house, as the company targets a doubling of output from its current half a billion annual products.

The machine ramped up rapidly following six months of development, reflecting the pace of demand and the role of new capacity in supporting Cullen’s growth trajectory. 

The investment has also created new jobs at the Glasgow facility, adding to a workforce that has grown alongside the business over the past decade.

Closed Loop Recycling at the Core

Cullen operates a closed loop recycling system, processing over 8,000 tonnes of its own corrugate waste annually and feeding it directly back into moulded fibre production, embedding circularity into the manufacturing process itself. 

Machine 8000 is part of a wider £2 million (approximately US$2.5 million) infrastructure upgrade programme that includes improvements to existing production lines and the installation of a new Kasemake X5 corrugate sample table.

Market Drivers: EPR and Plastic Alternatives

Maureen Stevenson, head of marketing at Cullen Sustainable Packaging, explained that order volumes are increasing across the company’s core markets, while EPR regulations are reshaping the economics of plastic packaging. 

The expansion comes as EPR regulations reshape the economics of packaging across the UK, accelerating the shift away from plastic and driving brands to seek reliable domestic alternatives at pace.

Stevenson noted that Cullen is seeing record growth in key categories including food and drink, medical, industrial, and ecommerce, and is experiencing significant early traction in markets it has recently entered. 

In home fragrance, where brands are actively seeking plastic-free alternatives for candles, diffusers, and related products, enquiries and order volumes have grown sharply since the category was opened.

Response to Sustained Demand

Stevenson stated that this investment is a response to real, sustained demand from customers. 

She noted that the new machine ramped up quickly following launch, and the company is already planning the next phase of expansion, adding that this is what growth-led investment looks like in practice, not speculation, but response.

When the Packaging Maker Recycles Its Own Waste

Most packaging companies buy recycled material. Cullen processes its own corrugate waste, 8,000 tonnes annually, and feeds it directly into moulded fibre production. 

The closed loop is not a marketing claim; it is the factory floor. For customers facing EPR fees on plastic, that integration matters as much as the final product.

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