EnviroPulp (UK) opens up production facility in Bergen op Zoom

EnviroPulp, an innovative British company based in South Wales, have been success fully  producing and marketing bio based packaging materials since 2009. EnviroPulp have made their name with products produced from paper pulp, as an environmentally friendly alternative for EPS (expanded polystyrene) and other thermoplastic packaging material. Leading European retailers like Tesco and Carrefour already use EnviroPulp products in their supermarkets.

EnviroPulp wished to expand their scope by entering into a completely new market segment, that of bio based packaging for the food market. To this end, EnviroPulp decided to join forces with the Dutch company X, and will be establishing a production facility in Bergen op Zoom, West Brabant. Here, sugar beet pulp from the SuikerUnie sugar refinery will be used for the production of bio- based food packaging.
The new company, EPL Europe bv, will start its operations in newly built business premises located near the highway in Bergen op Zoom. Initially production will be small scale, but with the prospect - in stages - of creating 100 to 150 jobs in the foreseeable future.

Production and distribution could have been organized from the UK, but this would be out of accord with the sustainable nature of Enviropulp's activities in terms of the so-called "carbon foot print". Reducing the number of transport movements from the UK to mainland Europe was EnviroPulp's deciding  motive for finding a partner on the continent.  Locating in West Brabant in the Netherlands was a logical choice. This region has been repeatedly elected the Dutch logistical hotspot and for this and other reasons turned out to be the optimal location for the newly to be formed company EPL Europe bv.

The regional development agency NV REWIN West-Brabant had the opportunity to support EnviroPulp during the entire establishment process.

Alderman Ton Linssen of the municipality of Bergen op Zoom is more than pleased with the establishment of this innovative company on Bergen op Zoom's territory. "It was by no means self-evident that EnviroPulp would come to West Brabant or even the Netherlands. The indisputable facts regarding  the favourable Dutch establishment climate, our logistic strengths and the presence of both a potential partner and a formidable supplier made EnviroPulp opt for West Brabant.  Moreover, the alderman adds, "Our city council and the inhabitants of Bergen op Zoom look forward to witnessing the birth and growth of a truly unique company, with a no doubt healthy and sustainable future ".

EnviroPulp's CEO, Mr. Harry Kirk,  was pleasantly surprised by how quickly and smoothly procedures like these pass off in West Brabant. When interviewed he had the following to say about their decision to establish EnviroPulp's continental manufacturing base in Bergen op Zoom:

"What we really liked was the "can do" attitude of all parties involved in making our decision to locate in Bergen op Zoom easy, despite fierce competition from other countries. From our first contact with REWIN and the local council, who are heavily committed to making Bergen op Zoom into a major hub for bio-based industry, we have been supported at every step. I cannot praise them highly enough. We are looking forward to commencing production later this year and expanding our operations on our new site. EPL Europe bv will become our strategic manufacturing base to service demand for our innovative new products in continental Europe".

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ENVIROPULP

Some interesting facts

• Up to 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled.
• The unreleased energy contained in the average dustbin each year could power a television for 5,000 hours.
• On average, 16% of the money you spend on a product pays for the packaging, which ultimately ends up as rubbish.
• As much as 50% of waste in the average dustbin could be composted.
• Up to 80% of a vehicle can be recycled.
• 9 out of 10 people would recycle more if it were made easier.

Smart companies with a keen long-term vision use facts like these to both their own and society's advantage, and  build a succesful business from what at first sight is labeled as "a problem". Companies like EnviroPulp.

EnviroPulp, based in South Wales (UK) and established in September 2009, are designers, engineers and manufacturers of environmentally friendly biodegradable products and packaging. The pulp packaging is made from recycled paper; all products are recyclable and bio-degradable. The product range includes Industrial Pulp Packaging, Medical Pulp and Fruit/Produce Packaging. All EnviroPulp products are made in the UK.

EnviroPulp design, develop and manufacture a range of disposable pulp products for use in the following markets:

Bio Guard protective products

Envirotex have launched a comprehensive range of innovative, high quality pulp products for use in medical environments, incorporating new and unique space saving design features. Examples of Bio Guard products are for instance kidney dishes, measuring jugs, paper trays and general purpose dishes. This line of moulded pulp products is marketed  under the 'Bodyguards' brand name.

All Bodyguards moulded pulp products conform to PAS 29:1999 and have been extensively tested to ensure maceration with all types of macerators. This innovative, cost effective and space saving range of pulp products is supported and complemented by a full range of ancillary items to provide a total product portfolio.

Enviro Pulp - Sustainable Packaging

Electronics Packaging, Industrial Packaging/Pulp Paper. We can design a pack to make sure your product is not damaged by the rigors of the distribution environment. Pulp makes an excellent substitute to EPS and other thermoplastic solutions, with many advantages including :

• Pulp packaging can take a weight in excess of 80kg
• Pulp packs are stackable this helps save on space and reduce delivery costs.
• Superior cushioning characteristic, pulp will outperform EPS (expanded polysterene) in drop tests, particularly in successive tests when the foam will have crumbled but the fibrous nature of pulp will keep offering protection.
• Space efficient, EPS utilizes density for cushioning, this is in comparison to pulp that cushions through shape. Pulp packs tend to be smaller for the same amount of cushion.
• Aesthetically pleasing, finer grades of pulp have a smooth high tolerance finish that consumers prefer,   this puts us on an even footing with thermoplastic

Moulded Paper - Green Innovation

Perishable Packaging Punnets for fresh fruits & vegetables. Biodegradable packaging produced from agricultural origin macromolecules provide a supplementary means to control physiological, microbiological, and physicochemical changes in food products. Fabrication procedures (casting of a film-forming solution, thermoforming) must be adapted to each specific food product and usage condition (relative humidity, temperature). Some forms of bio packaging, using pulp from sugar beets, will even be edible!
Some potential uses of these materials are wrapping of various fabricated foods; protection of fruits and vegetables and protection of meat and fish.

This is a very new and yet to be developed market. EnviroPulp wishes to do so in cooperation and joint venture with the Dutch company X and operating out of Bergen op Zoom the Dutch region of West Brabant. As of (date), the new company EPL Europe bv, will start its operations in the Netherlands.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

Breda, March 2011

For additional information, please contact:

NV REWIN West-Brabant

Cees Nuijten , director promotion & acquisitions for the Southwest-Netherlands.        

+31 (0)6 53 332 270