Swansea packaging firm secures £400,000 funding to expand production

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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A Swansea-based packaging manufacturer has secured £400,000 in finance from Lloyds to invest in new printing technology, in a move aimed at boosting production capacity and reducing its environmental impact.

Viscose Closures, which has operated for more than 125 years, will use the funding to purchase a new flexographic printing press to replace an older solvent-based gravure machine.

The business produces tamper-evident packaging designed to show whether a product has been opened or interfered with.

The new equipment uses water-based inks and is expected to cut waste and energy use, while doubling production speed and reducing set-up waste by 87%.

The upgrade is forecast to deliver annual utility savings of £16,000 and support growing demand for more sustainable packaging.

The funding marks the second major finance package the company has received from Lloyds in just over two years.

In 2023, the bank supported the installation of 250 solar panels and new manufacturing equipment, including £135,000 through its Clean Growth Financing Initiative and £115,000 in asset finance.

The solar installation has since delivered carbon savings equivalent to planting 2,000 trees or driving more than 485,000 kilometres.

Viscose Closures employs 41 people across Swansea and exports products worldwide, including to the US, Asia and Europe.

The company is the world’s only producer of plastic-free shrink sleeves, supplying biodegradable and compostable tamper-evident bands.

Emma Blackmore, Managing Director at Viscose Closures, said: “This second funding package from Lloyds represents a significant milestone in our journey towards sustainable growth.

“The new flexographic press doesn’t just allow us to expand our offering as a shrink sleeve supplier – it fundamentally changes how we manufacture.”