Pulpex, a sustainable packaging technology company based in the UK, is constructing its first commercial-scale bottle manufacturing facility near Glasgow, Scotland, to manufacture biodegradable bottles made from cellulose.
The plant is expected to produce up to 50 million bottles annually and will contribute to establishing the UK’s inaugural fibre bottle supply chain and advancing the commercialisation of Pulpex’s packaging technology.
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The site selection process concluded in January 2025, and by February 2026, the steel framework, the facility’s structural core, had been completed, representing a key phase in the project’s progress.
Once operational in 2026, the facility is set to generate 36 new jobs in the local area, supporting Scotland’s move towards 2030 net-zero targets by employing low-carbon manufacturing processes in the alternative packaging industry.
This investment reinforces Pulpex’s development during its scale-up phase, supporting the company’s ongoing growth in the market.
Location
Pulpex’s bottle manufacturing facility is situated on the outskirts of Glasgow, in close proximity to Glasgow Airport. Glasgow was selected as it is one of four regions in which the UK Government will develop investment pipelines, including the new Pulpex facility.
The development is taking place within an existing industrial warehouse at Westway, recognised as Scotland’s largest 24-hour industrial estate.
Westway provides swift, direct access to Junction 28 of the M8 through the newly opened Barnwell Street Bridge, and benefits from convenient links to Glasgow Airport and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland.
Pulpex bottle manufacturing facility details
Pulpex secured a 20-year lease for the Westway 90 industrial unit to establish the commercial-scale fibre bottle manufacturing facility, occupying 87,000ft2.
The building has been designed with sustainability in mind, achieving BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings.
The facility supports all-electric operation and is fitted with electric vehicle charging points, photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps. Additional amenities include dedicated car parking, heavy goods vehicle parking and substantial yard space, all located within Westway’s fully secure, 24/7 environment.
Where feasible, the structural framework of the facility incorporates green steel produced using electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy sources.
Product details
Pulpex’s patented fibre-based, customisable, single-mould paper bottle is manufactured from responsibly sourced wood pulp. The bottle solution contains no hidden plastic, allowing it to be recycled alongside paper or card in regular household recycling.
This scalable technology results in a renewable, recyclable and biodegradable product, which is Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)-accredited and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified.
The bottle solution is reported to offer a substantially lower carbon footprint compared to traditional packaging, achieving up to 90% carbon savings compared to glass and approximately 30% compared to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), while also eliminating plastic from the waste stream.
Financing
Pulpex secured £62m ($78.13m) in a series D funding round in February 2025 to support the development of its Glasgow manufacturing facility.
The investment included £43.5m from the National Wealth Fund and £10m from the Scottish National Investment Bank.
The remaining £8.5m came from existing shareholders including CMPC Ventures, a fund that has supported the company since early 2023.
Contractors involved
Robertson Construction Central West has been selected as the principal contractor for the Pulpex bottle manufacturing facility.
The company has collaborated with Pulpex since the pre-construction phase to ensure the site fulfils the specialist technical and operational criteria required for large-scale production of the patented fibre-based bottles.
Pulpex signed a lease agreement with Canmoor Asset Management for the Westway 90 industrial unit in July 2025.
Accounting practice Andow Ellis provided expert advice and accountancy services for Pulpex. Legal practice Osborne Clarke and intellectual property law firm EIP also advised Pulpex on the series D funding round.
Lazard and Damus Capital served as financial advisers for the series D funding round.
Marketing commentary on Pulpex
Pulpex was established in 2020 through a partnership between venture management company Pilot Lite and spirits manufacturer Diageo to develop and commercialise sustainable paper bottle technology that does not contain PET.
The company operates from its research and development and pilot production facility at its headquarters in Sawston, Cambridge.
Pulpex has collaborated with several major global consumer brands such as PepsiCo, Unilever, and Kraft Heinz to develop customised sustainable packaging solutions for future product launches.
