Cullen Sustainable Packaging is scaling production capacity as demand for fibre-based packaging rises across the UK and international markets.

The company says increasing order volumes and tightening EPR regulations are reshaping packaging economics, particularly for plastic alternatives.

£2 Million Expansion Supports Rapid Growth

The latest investment programme includes:

• launch of the new Moulded Fibre Machine 8000
• upgrades to existing production lines
• installation of a new Kasemake X5 corrugate sample table
• additional hiring at the Glasgow facility

The business currently produces around 500 million packaging products annually and plans to double output as demand continues growing.

In-House Machinery Strategy Creates Competitive Advantage

A major differentiator for Cullen is that the company designs and builds much of its own manufacturing equipment internally.

Unlike many packaging converters relying on external machinery suppliers, Cullen controls:

• machine design
• production speed
• throughput optimisation
• product specifications
• process upgrades

The new Machine 8000 was reportedly developed in-house within six months and rapidly scaled after launch.

Corrugate + Moulded Fibre Under One Roof

Cullen positions itself as the world’s only manufacturer combining:

• corrugated packaging
• moulded fibre packaging

within one integrated facility.

This structure creates operational advantages for brands looking for:

• plastic replacement packaging
• integrated fibre solutions
• localised supply chains
• recyclable packaging systems

Closed-Loop Recycling Embedded Into Production

The Glasgow operation also includes a closed-loop recycling model.

According to the company, more than 8,000 tonnes of corrugate waste from internal operations are processed annually and fed back into moulded fibre manufacturing.

This reflects a broader packaging industry shift toward:

• circular material systems
• internal waste recovery
• fibre reuse integration
• lower virgin material dependence

EPR Regulations Are Changing Packaging Economics

The company directly linked its expansion to the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.

As EPR costs increase for harder-to-recycle packaging materials, many brands are accelerating moves toward:

• fibre-based packaging
• recyclable formats
• domestic sourcing
• plastic-free packaging systems

Cullen says demand is increasing across:

• food and beverage
• medical packaging
• industrial packaging
• ecommerce
• home fragrance packaging

The home fragrance sector is emerging as a particularly fast-growing category as brands seek plastic-free packaging for candles and diffusers.

Industry Insight

The investment highlights an important structural shift in packaging manufacturing.

Increasingly, competitive advantage is moving beyond packaging materials alone toward:

• control of machinery technology
• production flexibility
• circular manufacturing capability
• localised supply resilience
• regulatory readiness

Companies capable of vertically integrating both machinery and fibre packaging production may gain significant advantages as EPR regulations tighten across Europe and the UK.

Last Updated on 11/05/2026 by Jota Machinery