7th November 2022
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The chief executive of a Liverpool-headquartered supplier of plant-based packaging has discussed the company’s new product development and expansion plans.
Green Bell Packaging is a plant-based and plastic free packaging distribution company.
The company has previously secured a £100,000 loan from NPIF – GC & River Microfinance, which is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, and has since grown to develop new product lines and expand its team.
M Vahid Nagori, chief executive at Green Bell Packaging, said the business has innovation at its heart.
“We provide plant-based alternatives to packaging and pride ourselves on contributing to wellbeing of the planet,” he said. “The company is always looking for new ways to reduce plastic consumption, and innovation is the key to achieving that.”
“Our products are not simply paper – we use a wide range of plant materials to make quality products that help heal the planet. These include sugar cane, seaweed, casava starch, rice, birchwood, and bamboo. We’re able to customise our packaging with bespoke designs and printing services for brands whilst also retaining this impressive variety of materials.”
“It’s a testament to our approach, that is to solve old problems through new solutions. We believe that it’s through grounding ourselves in innovative practices that we can manufacture products that stand out in the market.”
Nagori highlighted a number of recent projects for Green Bell Packaging to support expansion and new product development.
He said: “Green Bell Packaging is working closely with academics from Liverpool John Moores University to develop new solutions and new product lines, including a project where we create bubble wrap using banana peels. The move marks the expansion of our product lines to include a wider variety of plant material to create sustainable packaging.
“A ban on the use of single-use plastics in Scotland came into full effect in August, so we’re also looking to provide alternatives for take-away food boxes. We expect that this legislation will be soon applied beyond Scottish borders and are looking to provide alternative packaging options where plastic is replaced with biodegradable alternatives fashioned using sugar cane fibres. We’re constantly developing new products, and these sustainable food trays are only one of many diverse product lines to come.”
Green Bell Packaging has plans for further expansion going forward, including recruitment and international growth.
“Our fast-developing product lines and the increasing demand from Europe means we’ll need a larger team to meet our goals, and we look forward to growing our team and hiring new staff as we develop further,” Nagori said. “We’ve always held a forward-thinking approach to our team, and we work closely with local universities to offer internships and employment opportunities wherever possible.
“We currently work with students from across the world, offering experience and supporting them in their careers. As our business grows, the opportunities for students and jobseekers will expand too, building our dynamic team with new talent.
“Our work makes a direct impact on the environment. As more and more businesses adopt sustainable practices, Green Bell Packaging remains a leading choice for bespoke eco-friendly products. Instead of working to find waste management solutions for plastic, we tackle the root of the problem with our 100 per cent plastic free range of products. Our service aids businesses in helping them achieve their net-zero goals.
“Leaving the EU presented challenges in supplying our European customers. We are now looking to expand our overseas capabilities by purchasing a new entity to facilitate our European customers in sales, operations and supply.
“We also have plans to open a new manufacturing plant to meet the demands of our growing customer base. As we look to secure further investments, we will begin to realise our strategy for becoming the principal supplier of eco-friendly packaging in the UK and Europe. Though this long-term objective will only be achieved in the years to come, we are striving to reach it one step at a time.
“Reaching a plastic free world will only be possible through providing innovative solutions, and Green Bell Packaging are committed to providing its services throughout the UK and beyond.”
Nagori added: “We received a £100,000 loan from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, through NPIF – GC & River Microfinance, in 2021. Since then the team has grown, allowing us to take on a sales manager, business co-ordinator and marketing manager.
“The NPIF investment helped alleviate our cashflow problems and provided room for the business to pursue innovative solutions and ideas. It played a vital role in allowing the business to thrive and was the springboard to allow us to widen our scope and bring in new products and new plant materials into our manufacturing process.”
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project, which is designed to boost SME growth in the North of England, is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
The MSIF group of funds are managed by River Capital Management Ltd which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the course of investment business. Financial Conduct Authority Registration Number is 180891.
BFS Funding Managers Limited is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a Small Authorised UK AIFM under firm reference number 608682.
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