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UK-based Transcend Packaging has partnered with Zume to enhance its moulded fibre production capacity in Europe. Founded in 2015, Zume is a manufacturing technology company that provides sustainable packaging solutions. The multimillion-pound deal will see both companies establish "one of the largest specialists moulded fibre production facilities" in Europe. Although site assessments for the exact location are currently being conducted, the companies aim to make the facility functional by mid-2023. Transcend Packaging says the facility will first launch to market moulded fibre snap lids for hot beverage cups, aiming to create 500 million units of capacity by September. Lorenzo Angelucci, CEO of Transcend Packaging, said: “Many brands know they need to aim for higher levels of sustainability in their packaging, but knowing where to begin and navigating the tricky landscape is challenging. Businesses need to re-learn how they think about packaging in order to move toward sustainable alternatives that can be recycled at scale." “We’re excited to work with Zume – using world-leading technology, as they have been instrumental in helping some of the biggest global brands move beyond plastics and EPS foam products. Through our partnership, and by creating a state-of-the-art production facility in Europe, we hope to continue this hard work and encourage businesses in Europe to take the next step, challenge their perceptions and showcase how viable new alternatives can be in meeting both performance and customer expectations." He continued: “As we look ahead to scaling into new markets and international production in the early part of 2023, we knew it was vital to select a company matching our ethos and mission while providing the logistical infrastructure and capabilities to make this vision come true". Alex Garden, Zume’s chairman and CEO, said: “For global brands, maintaining the status quo with plastic use is no longer a viable strategy. The proof will lie in the hands of brands who put a plan in place and see it through. Zume aims to provide companies with a road beyond plastic. This partnership with Transcend aims to further expand our capacity to incite real change and replace plastic with an economically viable solution that performs like plastic without the harms of plastic.”