INTERVIEW
85ofYEARS
packaging
innovation early. A perfect example of this was when we showcased six plain white paperboard food packaging prototypes at the very first Fast-Food Fair in Brighton in the early 1980’s. You could say that point in time marks the birth of modern day Colpac.
Since Colpac was founded in 1937, the business has witnessed many changes, from globalisation in the 1970’s to the internet in the 1990’s and the fast-paced adoption of technology which followed. How has the company responded to external changes? Working in a dynamic, ever-changing market is something which has existed throughout the history of Colpac. It is our ability to be flexible and agile to maximise the opportunities which come from these changes which has shaped us and continues to underpin the business. As a global business, we are continually horizon scanning at home in the UK and across the world to spot the trends in food, materials and manufacturing that will shape the food packaging of tomorrow. We work as a partner with our customers to create the best solutions for them, recognising that they have so much more than food wrapped up in their packaging. Also, our foresight into the market has strengthened us over the years, enabling us to spot the opportunities 56 I www.sandwichandfoodtogonews.co.uk
The Colpac brand is synonymous with creating paperboard food packaging solutions. Has this always been the case, and at what point did you recognise the value of focusing on paperboard as a material? Paperboard has always been what we are about – even back when we were making rigid boxes. We have always recognised and supported the benefits of a material which is inherently sustainable both in terms of being easily recycled, and coming from renewable carbon sources i.e., trees. What is important to us, and what we are continually striving towards, is the ability to improve the performance of the paperboard material we use. The demands on packaging are ever increasing. From sustainable sourcing and reducing plastic, to packs that work at all stages of the supply chain, from freezing through to the consumer reheating at home and reducing food waste. The market demands sustainable all-purpose packaging. We continually invest in research and development, looking at materials and manufacturing processes to enhance paperboard as a material and its capabilities. An example of our innovative use of materials would be the launch of
With packaging company, Colpac, celebrating their 85th anniversary in April, CEO, Neil Goldman (pictured), reflects on what has shaped the business and its continual efforts to meet and exceed the evolving needs of the marketplace.
our ColMAP™ range in 2012. Modified atmosphere packaging that extends shelf life by combining paperboard with film lamination, creating a seal where the oxygen is removed. This prolongs the shelf life of the contents and reduces food waste. The environment has always been close to my heart personally, and as a business we were supporting local wildlife trusts long before it was mainstream to do so. For decades, we have embedded sustainable objectives into our operational practices and work to mitigate our impact on the environment. This was recently reflected in our decision to create an ESG manager position. Talia, who holds an MSc in Environment, Politics and Society, and has worked as a COP26 Nature Campaign Policy Advisor for the Cabinet Office, now joins us as ESG Manager to build a stronger voice for Colpac. Through this, we hope to help shape legislation and other sustainable initiatives, to develop food packaging for the future. Back in the 1990’s, Colpac’s ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ campaign for biodegradable packaging was ahead of its time. Today however, the market is saturated with sustainable packaging solutions. How do you ensure that Colpac stays ahead of the curve and on top of new materials launched onto the market? It’s interesting, as biodegradable is not a word which we commonly use today. However, this was of the time and our
