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Glebe Farm Foods has invested in a new on-site paper packaging machine, marking a positive step in its long-term ambition to explore more sustainable packaging options.

The gluten-free oat-based F&B manufacturer received partial funding for the machine from the Huntingdonshire District Council's Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

The REPF was a grant scheme for small rural businesses and community projects, supporting investment in equipment, buildings and facilities to help strengthen the local economy.

Glebe Farm Foods has now activated the new machine, with the company’s flagship PureOaty porridge oats being 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% recyclable and clearly signposted as so on-pack, encouraging consumers to dispose of responsibly with ease.

Glebe Farm said the move reflects both evolving consumer expectations and the company’s ongoing commitment to more sustainable packaging production.

The company grows and mills its own oats or sources from farmers within a 70-mile radius, and packages everything on-site to ensure each product can be traced from field to shelf.

With paper packaging now part of the on-site operations, the company said it could offer this capability to other brands looking to transition to more sustainable formats, without the need to invest in their own machinery.

This investment is among several sustainability initiatives underway at the company’s production site. The company’s entire manufacturing process is powered by renewable energy, including the introduction of three biomass boilers fuelled by byproducts from oat milling. Solar capacity has also been expanded with an additional 467kw of roof-mounted panels installed.

Philip Rayner, MD and co-founder of Glebe Farm Foods, said: “We're always looking for ways to be more sustainable as a food and drink manufacturer, and moving to paper packaging is an important step for us”.

“Today's shoppers are making more conscious choices, actively seeking out recyclable packaging and moving away from brands that rely on unnecessary plastic – a move which we are delighted to see. But we truly believe new paper packaging isn't just good for business; it's the right thing to do for our customers and the planet.”