Pulpex has started production at its first commercial-scale fibre bottle plant near Glasgow, with initial capacity of 40 million units a year and an ambition to scale to 1 billion units. More than 90% of the plant's capacity for the current financial year has already been secured, including by Purely Scottish Natural Mineral Water and smol.
Why this mattersFirst industrial-scale supply of plastic-free fibre bottles gives brand owners an alternative to PET and glass, and gives licensees a route into the format regionally.
- The plant near Glasgow started commercial production in October 2026 with initial capacity of 40 million units a year.
- Long-term target is 1 billion units globally.
- More than 90% of the plant's capacity for the current financial year is secured; early adopters include Purely Scottish Natural Mineral Water and smol.
- Pulpex is backed by a consortium including Diageo, Unilever, PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz.
- Swiss manufacturer Perlen Industrieholding holds licence rights for Switzerland, Austria, Italy and southern Germany.
- India-based Alternicq holds exclusive development rights for India and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Perlen Papier has begun marketing Pulpex-technology fibre bottles in Germany, holding exclusive production rights for southern Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. The moulded-paper-fibre bottles, lined with a food-safe plastic-free barrier, target still beverages, dairy, oils, wine, spirits and cosmetics with shelf lives over 24 months. Perlen Papier is evaluating local production at its Perlen site in Switzerland from end 2027.
Why this mattersA Swiss-produced paper-fibre bottle gives German and Alpine brand owners a lower-carbon alternative to glass and PET, with production planned close to a key European market.
- Perlen Papier holds exclusive Pulpex production rights for southern Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
- Bottles are available in 300ml, 500ml and 750ml, with plans to extend to 200-1,000ml.
- Cradle-to-gate CO2 footprint is about 90% lower than glass and 30% lower than PET, per the company.
- Bottles offer shelf life of more than 24 months depending on application.
- Perlen Papier is assessing production at its Perlen, Switzerland site starting end of 2027.
- The fibre body is moulded from cellulose fibres via a wet-forming process, without adhesives.
- The Perlen-Pulpex fibre bottle has passed the Cepi 4evergreen recyclability test
- Perlen Papier markets the bottle as plastic-free and adhesive-free, made from single-piece moulded cellulose fibre