EUROPE – UK-based packaging company, Transcend Packaging, has inked a US$91.71 million strategic partnership with Zume to create viable, scalable, and cost-effective packaging solutions for moulded fibre in Europe.
As part of the deal, the companies will establish what they claim will be one of the largest specialists moulded fibre production facilities in Europe.
Site assessments regarding the exact location of the facility are apparently underway, with the aim of being fully functional by mid-2023.
According to the companies, the facility will initially launch to market with moulded fibre snap lids for hot beverage cups.
The companies add that the goal is to initially create 500 million units of capacity by September 2023, offering global food and beverage companies a readily available formed fibre solution.
By localising the facility in Europe, the two companies can offer quick and customised production of formed fibre packaging without compromising on performance or price.
Under the partnership, Transcend Packaging will also be the exclusive distributor of Zume’s moulded fibre lids in Europe.
Zume’s process uses biomass derived from agricultural waste and converts the natural plant fibres into advanced moulded fibre products, which can provide an alternative to single-use virgin plastics.
The company says its moulded fibre snap lids are functional, leakproof, and compostable, as well as being 100% PFAS-free as part of its partnership with Solenis, a global producer of speciality chemicals.
The new production facility will add to Zume’s growing network of factories, with facilities already established in North America and India, and with more in planning stages in Latin America and Canada.
Zume says that its partnerships with ABB Robotics will enable it to create moulded fibre products using state-of-the-art manufacturing cells and robotic machinery at its global facilities.
Lorenzo Angelucci, CEO of Transcend Packaging, comments: “We’re excited to work with Zume – using world-leading technology, as they have been instrumental in helping some of the biggest global brands move beyond plastics and EPS foam products.
“Through our partnership, and by creating a state-of-the-art production facility in Europe, we hope to continue this hard work and encourage businesses in Europe to take the next step, challenge their perceptions and showcase how viable new alternatives can be in meeting both performance and customer expectations.”
Alex Garden, Zume’s Chairman and CEO, adds: “Zume aims to provide companies with a road beyond plastic.
“This partnership with Transcend aims to further expand our capacity to incite real change and replace plastic with an economically viable solution that performs like plastic without the harms of plastic.”
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