Sustainable packaging technology firm Pulpex and lead contractor Robertson Construction Central West have reached a significant construction milestone with the completion of the steel frame for a new production facility near Glasgow Airport.

The 87,000 sq ft plant, located within the Westway industrial estate in Renfrewshire, is designed to manufacture up to 50 million fibre-based bottles every year. To mark the structural completion, project stakeholders participated in a traditional steel-signing ceremony. Work will now shift toward internal fit-out and the installation of complex mechanical and electrical services.

The facility represents the first commercial-scale expansion for Pulpex, which previously focused on pilot-scale development at its Cambridgeshire headquarters. The company's patented bottles are crafted from sustainably sourced wood fibre and are fully compatible with standard household paper and cardboard recycling streams.

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Environmental sustainability was a core focus of the build, with the structure's frame utilising "green steel" produced in electric arc furnaces where possible. Once operational, the plant is expected to create 36 local jobs and significantly lower the carbon footprint of the packaging industry, offering up to 90% carbon savings compared to glass and 30% compared to PET plastic.

Scott Winston, Managing Director and Chief Science & Sustainability Officer at Pulpex, praised the collaborative effort: "Delivering audacious outcomes requires robust and rigorous teams to form up and move together as one, it's no small task. Our combined Team in this focused piece of work, well supported by the broad Robertson network of partners, has shown depth of skill, ingenuity, resilience and used the strength of the local business economy to deliver this key milestone."

Andy McLinden, Regional Managing Director at Robertson Construction Central West, added: "This project combines advanced manufacturing and sustainability within an existing industrial building, which calls for a carefully considered approach. Working closely with Pulpex from the outset has helped the team develop a clear understanding of the technical and operational needs of a completely new production process."

The project is supported by Series D funding, which includes a significant equity investment from the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank. This marks the National Wealth Fund's first investment in Scotland since its transition.