The paper bottle revolution that originated in Suffolk continues, as the Ipswich-based sustainable company sold its assembly machine to the US for about £1.5million.
American firm Monterey Wine Company is acquiring the world’s only paper bottle assembly machine, produced by Frugalpac.
The company, located in Crane Boulevard, near Ravenswood, stands behind the first-of-its kind sustainable wine bottle.
Monterey Wine Company, a Californian custom wine production facility, has agreed to a deal with Frugalpac to become the first US company to buy a Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine.
It is the second paper bottle machine Frugalpac has sold for export, after Canada’s KinsBrae Packaging agreed to buy the first machine in June 2022, and will now double paper bottle production in North America to five million a year.
READ MORE: Ipswich business expands to sell paper bottles to Australia and New Zealand
The machine allows Frugal Bottles to be made in the heart of the winery and so reduce carbon further by shipping less volume from formed glass bottles from central manufacturing facilities.
Bringing flat recycled paperboard and pouches into the winery to be assembled reduces the number of delivery trucks by four.
Frugal Bottles are made from 94% recycled paperboard with a food grade pouch, weigh just 83g before filled, and are five times lighter than glass.
This means they have a carbon footprint six times lower than glass bottles.
Frugalpac chief executive Malcolm Waugh said: "This is a big moment not only for Frugalpac but for the US drinks industry.
"Now American wine and spirits brands will be able to buy and fill paper bottles made in America for the first time.
"Our Frugal Bottle and Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine offers a really simple and cost-effective way for wineries and spirits producers to radically cut their bottle’s carbon footprint at a stroke.
"We’ve already seen several wine and spirits in North America use our paper bottle and MWC’s decision to buy our Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine means even more drinks brands will be able to make the move from glass to paper."
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