The Sabert team takes us through its growth plans and the importance of finding valued partnerships in a crowded marketplace.
The UK packaging market continues to grow and is estimated to reach £45.29 billion this year1, demonstrating a huge and exciting opportunity for packaging providers. Developers are working hard to meet evolving customer needs, alongside fierce competition from manufacturers across the global market. At the same time, sustainability commitments and escalating costs are pushing brands to rethink their approach and rely on packaging partners to deliver innovation that elevates their enticing menus and provides competitive edge.
Six months on from Sabert’s acquisition of Colpac, the company has reaffirmed its long-term ambition to significantly grow the scale of its business. Key to this is the success of its UK operations, manufacturing facility, and packaging design expertise in supporting customers to deliver well-presented food in packaging that meets sustainability and commercial objectives and exceeds consumer expectations.
Manufacturers and operators need to prioritise material and design innovation when delivering packaging. With experience across paper, plastic and pulp, Sabert delivers a wide range of solutions to achieve functionality and sustainability aims – and a key example is the new Pulp Ultra® range.
Pulp Ultra® is a game-changer, developed collaboratively between Sabert teams in Europe, the US and the UK – having been successfully launched with a customer providing meals for school children across Ireland. The teams worked together to create, test, trial and produce the bagasse product which is treated with a barrier coating of <5%, delivering outstanding Oil and Grease Resistance (OGR) permeation in direct contact, hot food applications. Thanks to efforts from the global team, Pulp Ultra®outperforms existing market alternatives, including laminated products, demonstrating the company as a pioneer in this field.
Operators are also facing increased operational rates and overheads, so are looking for the best value packaging they can get. Regulatory change is driving the rapid development of materials which can affect unit costs. However, brands must balance these cost changes with the success and efficiency of the packaging in-use, as well as other associated costs such as packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) fees.
The whole picture needs to be considered when choosing a packaging solution – something which partners Sabert can provide a wealth of expertise on.
Sabert recently launched Pulp Ultra®, a moulded fibre packaging solution, in the UK. Pulp Ultra® is free from intentionally added PFAS and performs across hot, chilled and frozen applications. It is freezer-safe and able to retain frozen goods integrity, perishable goods freshness and keep factory conditioned items intact. It is safe for use in microwaves, conventional ovens and high-speed oven applications, now available for UK customers that are looking for a recyclable or compostable packaging solution.
(i) mordorintelligence.com.
Three in a row for Colpac
Colpac has secured an AA+ BRCGS audit grade at its UK factory for the third year running.
The company achieved the highest possible BRCGS grade and passed with no non-conformances. Colpac has maintained this level of certification by again opting for an unannounced audit, requiring the team to be ready throughout the year.
The auditor was highly impressed and commented that the facility provides a strong demonstration of product safety and quality culture on its shop floor. He praised the high levels of housekeeping, the team’s knowledge and the comprehensive documentation supported by robust systems.
The team was also commended for its commitment to continued unannounced audits, particularly given the recent release of the latest BRCGS global standard in 2025. Colpac is still one of a handful of packaging companies that undergoes audits in this way.
“This result is a direct reflection of the culture we have built and the care our people take in everything they do,” said Frances Dickman, head of compliance at Colpac.
“Achieving an AA+ grade requires consistent attention to detail and a deep sense of ownership from each team member. Our commitment to doing things the right way, every day, is what makes outcomes like this possible.”
BRCGS Global Standard Packaging Materials is recognised globally as a benchmark for quality, safety and legality in food packaging manufacturing. It provides a robust framework for all types of packaging manufacturer in the production of safe and legal materials, and to manage product quality.
“Congratulations to the team for securing an impressive AA+ grade for the third year in a row! Achieving the highest grade through an unannounced audit with no non-conformities is no small feat – your hard work and dedication truly shine. Celebrate this well-deserved success, said Gwenda Jarrett, non-food programme manager at BRCGS.
Colpac was acquired by Sabert Corporation Europe in July 2025 and joins several other Sabert sites with BRCGS certification, including facilities in Belgium (BRCGS AA+) and Poland (BRCGS AA). The UK site plans to continue its approach to unannounced audits and looks forward to working with the wider team, now as part of the integration into the Sabert Group.