Biopax, the Belfast based sustainable carton packaging, paper wraps and self-adhesive labels services firm has invested £20 million in one of the world’s largest makers of printing equipment.

The company is currently providing green packaging services to the food, beverage and non-food sector in the UK and Ireland, and has started to export into European markets.

Biopax’s growth plans include setting up production capabilities for sustainable packaging in Europe, India and China.

It has chosen to invest with HEIDELBERG in the Speedmaster XL106 models for their carbon-neutral certification as much as its performance and overall productivity.

The company has also outlined plans to add plastic-free paper cups, tubs and salad bowls to its product portfolio across 2023/24 in a move that will put it at the top of the sustainable packaging food chain here and across the world.

Dr Terry Cross, chairman of Biopax Ltd said: “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 £20m in the latest Heidelberg technology within our 70,000 sq ft factory.”

He added: “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.”

Declan Martin, account manager for HEIDELBERG, added: “We’re so proud that an innovative packaging company such as Biopax chose HEIDELBERG equipment.

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.”