Paranova opens expanded St Neots packaging site after US$6.7M redevelopment, adding 2,000m², new Bobst press

UK – Paranova has opened its upgraded St Neots manufacturing base after a £5 million (approximately US$6.7 million) redevelopment, adding 2,000 square metres and tripling capacity at Europe’s largest fibre-based food-to-go packaging facility.

The St Neots plant now produces more than 700 million recyclable food-to-go packs annually across three board manufacturing sites. 

A new custom-built Bobst press has been installed with specifications for lined board food-to-go products, used for sandwich skillets, wrap boxes, trays, and cartons. 

The work covered Paranova’s dual production operation in the town.

Europe’s Largest Fibre-Based Food-to-Go Facility

Food-to-go packaging, sandwich skillets, wrap boxes, salad trays, and carton clamshells, has traditionally relied on plastic or foam, which are lightweight and moisture-resistant but face increasing regulatory pressure and consumer rejection.

Fibre-based alternatives require barrier coatings to prevent grease and moisture from soaking through the board, and the new Bobst press is specified for lined board products, meaning it can apply those barrier coatings inline. 

The 700 million annual pack count places Paranova among the largest European converters in the food-to-go segment, a category that has grown as consumers shift away from dine-in meals toward takeaway and delivery.

Preparing for RecyclaLite

Paranova is preparing the next version of its RecyclaLite product, intended to help customers cut EPR exposure and move towards fibre-based food-to-go packaging with lower environmental impact. 

Extended Producer Responsibility fees in the UK are calculated based on packaging weight, material type, and recyclability. 

Fibre-based packaging generally attracts lower fees than plastic for equivalent applications, but the differential depends on demonstrated recyclability and recycled content. 

RecyclaLite is designed to balance barrier performance with fibre content, reducing the coating weight while maintaining function.

A Defining Moment for Paranova

Jo Ormrod, Paranova CEO, explained that this investment marks a defining moment for Paranova and reinforces the company’s ambition to lead the future of sustainable food-to-go packaging. 

She noted that by developing the UK’s new home of food-to-go packaging, Paranova has built a manufacturing operation designed around innovation, quality, and sustainability, enabling the company to better support customers with scalable fibre-based solutions that meet both consumer expectations and evolving legislation. 

The expansion follows Paranova’s launch as an independent entity after Coveris sold its paper business unit to Kingswood Capital Management in April 2026.

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