14 August 2023

Irish sustainable packaging company Biopax forms strategic partnership with HEIDELBERG

Biopax, a sustainable carton packaging, paper wraps and self-adhesive labels solutions company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland has formed a new partnership with HEIDELBERG to support its ongoing efforts to optimise its sustainable options for clients. The company also has plans to add plastic-free paper cups, tubs and salad bowls to its product portfolio across 2023/24.

Biopax currently provides ‘green’ packaging solutions to the food, beverage and non-food sector in the UK and Ireland, and has started to export into European markets. Its strategic growth plans include setting up production capabilities for sustainable packaging in Europe, India and the People’s Republic of China.

After detailed research, it opted for the HEIDELBERG’S XL106 models because of its wide-ranging operational capabilities.

A spokesperson for Biopax said as well as the performance and overall productivity of the XL106, another significant consideration for choosing the product is its carbon-neutral certification which aligns Biopax’s company ethos to deliver high-quality packaging that is produced with the environment in mind.

“In addition to the green benefits, we also realised that the HEIDELBERG XL106 with Inpress Control would deliver and exceed our customers’ expectations in regards to their company branding and colour management strategies,” says Dr Terry Cross OBE, Chairman, Biopax Ltd.  

“We consulted with several expert printers before we chose HEIDELBERG as our printing press supplier. These experts have spent many years working with various large-format HEIDELBERG presses in the folded carton industry. We leaned on their experience and expertise when making our investment decision. To date, we have invested £20 million in the latest HEIDELBERG technology within our 70,000 sq ft factory.

“We are committed to creating over 170 jobs at our Belfast facility and have commenced initial groundwork on a site expansion plan which will see us almost double the size of our production and storage facility. This expansion will allow us to invest further into ultra-high volume flexographic printing and dedicated rotary converting for some of the world’s leading brands.”

One of the major benefits of the HEIDELBERG XL106 is that it delivers extremely fast makereadies that are colour accurate to Fogra 39 or the latest Fogra 51 standards. That includes brand colours printed within a tolerance of dE2.5, and consistent colour on all print runs with the assistance of HEIDELBERG’s Inpress Control to ensure stable and accurate colour and faster turnaround times on FMCG cartons. This is due to the improved technology that assists in makeready and production.

“We are delighted with the results and are awaiting delivery of a second XL106 press with the same specifications,” says Dr Cross.

“This will offer us and our customers a high-quality product that exceeds their expectations. Our world-class design software systems are fully integrated into our HEIDELBERG production kit. This helps us to optimise our machine outputs while reducing down-time and waste. This means we can get our products out to our customers faster and deliver benchmark print and finishing quality. Our customers are continually delighted at the enhanced service, flexibility and quality of the carton products they are receiving from Biopax.”

We will also work with the HEIDELBERG Print Academy to deliver world class training to support our apprentice training programme.

Alongside the XL106, Biopax has also invested in the HEIDELBERG MasterMatrix Die Cutters, replacing the Bobst Die Cutting machines it had previously used.

The switch was made after discovering the MasterMatrix Die Cutter offered better value for money, higher output and advanced features including faster makeready times, higher running speeds, and higher-quality cutting, creasing and blanking outperforming its competitors.

With many years of experience in the packaging industry, Biopax called on its experts to review specifications against equipment produced by other manufacturers. Since the specifications surpassed their expectations, the HEIDELBERG equipment was selected.

Declan Martin, Account Manager for HEIDELBERG said: “We’re so proud that an innovative packaging company such as Biopax chose HEIDELBERG as a long-term partner.

"Our cutting-edge printing technology solutions address their rising customer needs. The trust that Biopax has invested in us shows that the HEIDELBERG brand remains the top name among suppliers for companies who strive for quality and long-term success.”

As Chairman of Biopax Ltd, Dr Terry Cross OBE has purchased several pieces of HEIDELBERG equipment over his long career in the folded carton industry. He believes that HEIDELBERG produces the world’s best printing and finishing equipment, and has now invested in the full HEIDELBERG solution for folded cartons. This includes one HEIDELBERG Suprasetter 106, two HEIDELBERG XL106 presses with logistics and inpress control, four MasterMatrix Die Cutting machines, two Diana Folder Gluer lines, and one Polar Guillotine along with Polar Pile Turner.

Biopax Ltd is a printed cartons, paper wraps and labels manufacturer working in the food and non-food packaging industry in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. The environment-first business works with clients in the UK, Ireland and European markets.

Investments in R&D and innovation set Biopax apart from its competitors, as it strives for sustainable change and plastic replacement solutions in the food and non-food packaging sector.

August 2023

For further information please contact:

Eirini Spanou, HEIDELBERG UK, on 02084-903796

Or

Phil Buttress HEIDELBERG UK, on (0) 7831 856646

Or

Greg Prescott, BIOPAX LTD, on 07934 730024

Liam O’Connor, BIOPAX LTD, on 07557 933581

Sonya Cassidy, Sonya Cassidy PR Limited, on 07824 467897