Success is in the bag
GREEN packaging producer EnvoPAP, which makes its boxes and printer paper from sugarcane waste and wheat straws, aims to enter the takeaway foods and pet sectors with its new eco- friendly water and greaseproof range.
Designed as a plastic substitute reducing pollution, EnvoBARRIER combines the UK company’s agricultural by- products material with non- leak coatings suitable for an array of containers from sandwich casings and cups to wraps and straws.
“Every item is recyclable, biodegradable, compostable and marine degradable with a 28 per cent lower carbon footprint than conventional products,” says EnvoPAP founder Kaushal Shah.
It was seeing the pollution generated by the burning of leftovers from sugarcane production in his home country of India that led Shah to set up the business in 2015, while a postgraduate at the University of Southampton.
As the paper industry seeks alternatives in the face of global deforestation, EnvoPAP’s process realises the value in the waste, known as bagasse. After collection from over 100 mills and farms, fibres are pulped, pressed and dried forming the packaging raw material.
As the process deploys the same machinery used for wood- based paper production while delivering the same yields, “our products are easy to scale and more efficient,” explains Shah. “They plug into clients’ printing machines for use immediately.
“Sustainability and the value chain are now mega trends in our industry. We are seeing a huge shift in priorities for consumers and companies. Demand has accelerated with home deliveries since lockdown and is central to our growth.”
That is running at 21 per cent a year for EnvoPAP, while turnover is heading for over £ 5million in 2021.
Close research and product development collaboration with SETsquared, the business incubation network of five universities including Southampton, has helped EnvoPAP become an innovation frontrunner.
Through high net worth investors and crowdfunding the business, which employs 20, has raised £ 761,000 along with £ 2,500 in grants. From the first focus on corporate clients, which include L’Oreal, M& S and Lloyds Bank, more recent expansion has been into the retail market with its sustainable EnvoCOPY printer paper.
Now sold in more than 50 countries as well as via Amazon and eBay, it accounts for 70 per cent of revenues. Manufacturing close to the sourcing volumes is currently all in India but for EnvoPAP’s next phase, other regions and crop by- products, such as from rice, are being identified along with a new £ 3.5 million raise. ●