Showcasing its commitment to packaging sustainability and local manufacturing excellence, Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) was proud to welcome Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, to its St Helens facility.
Mr Rotheram toured the site on 31 January, meeting the team behind the UK's only manufacturing facility dedicated to producing kp Infinity®, a next-generation food packaging solution for foodservice, designed with sustainability front of mind and providing an alternative to single use packs banned by the latest legislation.
During the visit, Mr Rotheram and Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council Leader met with key members of the kp team, including Darren Tickle, Site Manager, Karen Quirchove, Marketing Communications Director and Austin Schwarz, UK & Ireland Sales Director.
The St Helens site, which recently underwent a multi-million-pound transformation, represents a significant investment in the region's manufacturing capabilities. The facility's conversion to produce kp Infinity®, a fully recyclable food packaging solution made from Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), was completed in September 2023, securing more than one hundred jobs and creating additional roles in the region. Moreover, the site is proud to be offering a product that is recyclable and compatible with current recycling streams thereby offering foodservice customers a compliant single use packaging solution.
"We were delighted to welcome Mr Rotheram to our St Helens facility," said Darren Tickle. "This site represents not just a significant investment in technology, but also our commitment to the North West's manufacturing heritage. The transformation has reinvigorated the facility, strengthening our position at the very forefront of sustainable packaging innovation.
“It’s the home of kp Infinity®, which offers food brands, fast food restaurants and distributors a high-performance fully recyclable alternative to polystyrene, single use food-to-go packaging, which is now banned in the UK and increasingly across Europe. St Helens embodies kp’s ‘Investing in Better’ strategy using our expertise to effortlessly combine sustainability and performance.”
Mr Rotheram and Mr Burns began their visit with a short presentation about the St Helens site transformation, followed by a visit of the facility, with an opportunity to meet and talk to the team. The visit would not have been complete without a light snack served in the kp Infinity® Hotpacs® produced at the site.
" Mr Rotheram said: "It’s impressive to see up-close how companies like kp are leading the way in both sustainability and innovation here in the Liverpool City Region.
“The investment in the St Helens facility will not only create skilled jobs, but also demonstrates how forward-thinking businesses can drive growth while helping to tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges we face.
“This is a fantastic example of how local manufacturing can thrive and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Councillor Anthony Burns added: “We’re incredibly proud to have a business like kp call our borough home and cement St Helens’ reputation as a place of innovation, where the green economy can flourish. It was great to visit the site and see first hand the innovative work happening there.”
The success of kp Infinity® extends beyond manufacturing excellence, with the company recently winning a Foodservice Packaging Award for its innovative marketing campaign on TikTok, featuring viral sensation, Spudman.
Focused on delivering its vision: The Sustainable Protection of Everyday Needs, kp is a global leader in rigid and flexible packaging and specialty film solutions, serving the pharmaceutical, medical device, food, beverage and card markets, amongst others. With a broad and innovative portfolio of packaging and product films and services, kp plays an integral role in the customer value chain by safeguarding product integrity, assuring safety and consumer health, improving sustainability, and protecting brand reputation. kp’s “Investing in Better” sustainability strategy solidifies its commitment to achieving ten clear targets for long-term improvement by increasing recycling and recyclability of products, cutting carbon emissions and continuous improvement in employee engagement, safety, and diversity, equity and inclusion. For four consecutive years, kp has held a gold rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social and ethical performance ratings. This ranks kp in the top 1% of companies rated in the manufacturing of plastics products sector. Founded in 1965, kp has 30 plants in 18 countries and employs over 5,500 people committed to serving customers worldwide in over 60 locations. kp is proud to be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025.
Media Contacts:
Karen Quirchove
Marketing Communications Director, Food Packaging
food.packaging@kpfilms.com
+33 (0)7 84 03 04 40
Hilary
Barnes
Group
Director, Global Communications
kpinfo@kpfilms.com
+44 (0) 7393
249 967