Transcend Packaging produces environmental packaging solutions for the foodservice and beverage sectors, including paper straws used by McDonald’s and a recently developed premium polyethylene-free cup. The company was launched in 2017 and is headquartered in Ystrad Mynach, employing 290 people across three locations. Its product roadmap emphasizes R&D and production innovation supported by intellectual property. Transcend serves blue-chip customers and has positioned itself as a disruptive player in sustainable packaging. Management says the business will use new capital to accelerate innovation, expand R&D capabilities and scale operations in the Cardiff Capital Region. Transcend Packaging produces fully compostable, paper and fibre-based alternatives to plastic using digital printing techniques and speciality paper coatings. Over the past two years it has established itself as Europe’s leading producer of paper straws and recently launched a home-compostable, CE-certified face visor and PPE. The company counts McDonald’s as a client and pivoted during the COVID-19 crisis to supply millions of visors to NHS Wales, elderly care centres, schools and private industry. Transcend began production at its plant in South Wales and was founded in late 2017; it now employs over 150 people. Its mission is to eliminate single-use plastics and to capture demand created by UK and EU bans on single-use plastic items. Financially, Transcend completed a combined £10 million equity and debt investment to support growth and expand its sustainable product range. Transcend Packaging develops environmentally sustainable packaging products — most notably paper straws — for food & drink, hospitality, confectionery and health & beauty customers. The company was formed by Lorenzo Angelucci with LLEX Partners (Justin Bailes and Gabriel Fysh) and built a team of around 20 people. Transcend pursues a strategy of higher‑end, speciality and eco‑focused products, targeting shorter run sizes and customers underserved by larger converters. Its profile rose after being selected as one of two suppliers of paper straws to McDonald’s UK and Ireland, and it plans to begin in‑country straw production in the coming months. The business reports a clear sales pipeline of over £800k and aims to expand its range of sustainable packaging beyond straws. Transcend also says it will create jobs in Ystrad Mynach as it scales production.

Total raised

$13M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jun 2020