Belfast business Biopax unpacks plans for the future of ‘green’ packaging
With the rise in demand for eco packaging as both consumers and businesses become more aware of the need for sustainability, so too is there a need for more companies providing suitable products. Enter Biopax, the brainchild of Dr Terry Cross OBE.
Founder and Chairman at Delta Print & Packaging Ltd for over 30 years, Dr Terry Cross is also the man behind Delta Packaging in Hubei (China) and Hinch Distillery.
While he sold Delta Print & Packaging in May 2016, there was a certain inevitability he would make a return to the industry he knows best and in June 2023 this culminated in the official opening of Biopax, a new £47 million packaging and labelling factory in west Belfast.
Led by Sales and Marketing Director, Liam O’Connor and General Manager Greg Prescott, the 70,000 sq ft factory at Springvale Business Park, produces packaging and labels for the foodservice, retail, distribution and beverage sectors, and aims to create almost 170 jobs in the next four years.
Dr Cross said the company was born out of a “passion to develop a truly green solution for today’s packaging needs”.
“The company has invested significantly in research and development and the best green technology which, along with our in-house expertise, will enable collaborative solutions to be delivered to our customers,” added Dr Cross.
“We are confident that the company understands the current market and the high growth potential.
“We know that this will bring huge economic benefits to Northern Ireland. It will help revolutionise consumer packaging solutions in the UK and Europe by promoting a circular economy in fibre packaging and reducing landfill waste and the release of harmful chemicals into our ecosystem.”
Liam O’Connor told NR that sustainable package is of increasing importance within the retail and hospitality sectors.
“Not only because there is a global focus in addressing climate change, but also because it is important for brands to show their customers that they are also doing their bit to reduce waste to landfill and ensure that the products they use can be recycled or are at least compostable or biodegradable,” explained Liam.
“Businesses are being hit now with additional costs for the use of plastic products through the introduction of EPR, PPT and PRNs and this is throwing up all sorts of complexities for many big brands operating in the market.
“Therefore, a lot of companies are now seeking to reduce or replace plastic with a fibre-based alternative that helps remove these cost impacts and still upholds the same product performance and quality.”
For many years Dr Cross has been involved in a number of different sectors ranging from property to whiskey and gin and also French wine, however his deep-rooted passion has always been in packaging.
‘Businesses are being hit now with additional costs for the use of plastic products and this is throwing up all sorts of complexities for many big brands operating in the market’
“When he sold off his carton packaging business in 2016, I believe it was always his intention to return to the sector where he enjoyed most success – it is what he knows best,” said Liam.
“Only this time, Terry wanted to create a fibre-based packaging business that would tap into a growing need for more environmentally conscious packaging and this is where the idea of Biopax began.
“It is important to note that more and more brands are seeking alternatives to plastic packaging and therefore, the demand in normal carton or paper-based packaging is simply a lot higher now than it was in 2016.
“However, there are a number of question marks still hanging over carton and paper packaging in terms of PFAS or “forever chemicals” and also in dealing with microplastics in the materials that are used. Terry’s ambition is that Biopax will take an innovative approach by addressing the science behind all of the components we use to create safe and fully sustainable packaging so that the micro issues can be addressed.”
Belfast man Liam is also no stranger to the packaging industry having worked in the sector for over 10 years, previously for Delta Packaging Ltd and latterly, Huhtamaki PLC where he led the sales function for a major global key account.
With a background is a number of senior commercial roles across the FMCG and beverage sectors for several households names including Britvic, Ferrero and Bacardi, he is well placed to be at the helm of the company in its drive to encourage more within the retail industry to make the move to sustainable packaging.
“More and more now, consumers are becoming quite selective about the brands they will associate with. Retail outlets and indeed, the brands they serve, are being rewarded with more loyalty from customers who are looking out for their favourite products being presented to them in environmentally-friendly packaging,” said Liam.
“Consumers are mindful of their own carbon footprint and this is starting to play a major role in the decision making process at point-of-purchase.
“It is a big step for any brand to change from a plastic carton to a paper-based carton; however, the big challenge in taking that paper carton and making it fully ‘green’ is another level that requires a scientific approach to research and development.”
It is this element that Dr Cross wants to examine further, with his ambition for Biopax to take an innovative approach by addressing the science behind all of the components used to create safe and fully sustainable packaging, so that the micro issues can be addressed.
“There may be some components in a carton pack that contain micro-plastics or unwanted chemicals either in the adhesive, the barrier coatings, the varnish or the inks. These elements can make their way into the ecosystem and marine life and will be around for hundreds of years,” said Liam.
“If we can remove these elements by developing totally sustainable alternatives, then we are creating truly ‘green’ products.”
Although the factory was officially opened last month, following support from Invest NI, 45 jobs are already in place, with Biopax producing and supplying carton packaging and labels since May 2022.
“We essentially flew under the radar without promoting our business for a year until we officially launched the business in June 2023. So, we have been able to steadily grow the business through word-of-mouth and collaboration with a number of UK and Ireland food and drink/non-food brands.
“Also, we have a number of experienced people who have spent a large part of their careers working in packaging for various other businesses. With that experience comes partnerships with a number of companies who know that when they deal with us, they will always receive a collaborative can-do attitude as well as a quality product upheld to the highest of standards.”
While in its infancy, Biopax has already cemented its long-term goals and is driven towards achieving those with a series of plans in place.
‘Consumers are mindful of their own carbon footprint and this is starting to play a major role in the decision making process at point-of-purchase’
“In the short-term, our aim is to establish Biopax as a household name operating within the UK and Ireland food and drink/non-food sectors. We plan to accelerate awareness of the Biopax name through an online marketing campaign, having just launched our new website (www.biopaxltd.com), building our LinkedIn profile and following and online distribution of our digital sales brochure.
“Our home market here on the island of Ireland will continue to be a huge focus area for us as we aim to expand our reach by supporting the local FMCG sector with sustainable packaging supply.
“The longer-term objectives for Biopax will see us double the size of our facility through growing our customer portfolio and securing high volume contracts across the UK and Europe. In doing so, we are determined to fulfil our commitment to providing close to 170 jobs at our site in Springvale Business Park, Belfast by 2027.”
TO VIEW THE FULL BIOPAX FEATURE IN THE JULY ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER, CLICK HERE
