British gluten-free oat-based food and drink manufacturer Glebe Farm Foods has invested in a new on-site paper packaging machine, part-funded by Huntingdonshire District Council's Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). The technology marks a positive step in the oat producer's long-term ambition to explore more sustainable packaging options across its retail product range.
Huntingdonshire District Council’s REPF was a grant scheme for small rural businesses and community projects, supporting investment in equipment, buildings, and facilities to help grow and strengthen the local economy.
On receipt of the funds, Glebe Farm Foods activated the new machine, with the company’s flagship PureOaty porridge oats the first to undergo a paper packaging trial. The product is now available in responsibly sourced, recyclable paper bags as well as the original packaging.
The paper packaging is 100 per cent recyclable which is clearly signposted on pack, making it straightforward for consumers to dispose of responsibly. The move reflects both evolving consumer expectations and Glebe Farm Foods' ongoing commitment to more sustainable packaging production.
The paper packaging machine investment is just one of many sustainability initiatives the company has implemented in recent years. Glebe Farm Foods entire production process is powered by renewable energy, including the introduction of three biomass boilers fuelled by by-products from oat milling, eliminating the need for fossil fuels entirely. Solar capacity has also been expanded with an additional 467kW of roof-mounted panels installed.