Biopax is a new £47m factory based in West Belfast that aims “to revolutionise the FMCG and food service packaging and labelling market with certified green solutions”.
The factory will create the 169 jobs over the next four years, with further investment planned in a second phase.
Occupying the 6,500sqm factory, which is about to be expanded on an 8.4-acre site, Biopax will produce bespoke packaging and labels, both printed and unprinted, for the food service, retail, distribution, and beverage sectors.
While owned by Cross, who sold Delta Print & Packaging for £80m in 2016 to Finland-headquartered global packaging firm Huhtamaki, the Biopax business will be led by sales and marketing director Liam O’Connor and general manager Greg Prescott.
Invest Northern Ireland is supporting the business to create the new roles, and recruitment is already underway, with 45 of the jobs already in place. It has also offered the company advice and guidance on R&D and how to increase exports.
Cross said: “Biopax was born out of a passion to develop a truly green solution for today’s packaging needs.
“The company has invested significantly in research and development and the best green technology which along with our in-house expertise will enable collaborative solutions to be delivered to our customers. We are confident that the company understands the current market and the high growth potential.
“We know that this will bring huge economic benefits to Northern Ireland. It will help revolutionise consumer packaging solutions in the UK and Europe by promoting a circular economy in fibre packaging and reducing landfill waste and the release of harmful chemicals into our ecosystem.
“We are delighted to be able to create this forward-thinking environmentally focused business in Belfast and tap into the local talent while creating job opportunities in an economically deprived part of the city. We thank Invest NI for its continued support, advice, and guidance in helping us turn this investment into a reality.”
Mel Chittock, interim CEO of Invest NI, added: “This major investment will bring the former Caterpillar site back to life with a state-of-the-art factory and machinery.
“169 jobs will be created in West Belfast across a range of functions including design, printing, production, sales, and finance.
“Once in place, the jobs will contribute over £5.7m annually in salaries to the NI economy. Importantly, there will be opportunities for local people through apprenticeships, training, and re-skilling. This is excellent news for West Belfast and for Northern Ireland.”
He added: “Biopax’s proposition in developing polyethylene-free cartonboard, label and wrap solutions will assist with the drive to a net-zero carbon future. A prime example of the Department for the Economy’s 10X Vision in action.
“Coupling this with the benefits of dual market access which NI manufacturers now uniquely benefit from, will offer companies like Biopax significant opportunities to increase exports to the EU. I look forward to seeing it drive its ambitious strategy to grow and increase its exports to the EU and beyond.”
Cross unveiled the new business at an event held this morning (20 June).
Seven years ago Terry Cross sold his Deltaprint business in Belfast for £60m. Now, age 72, he’s back in the game with a new factory in the west of the city. Biopax intends to create 169 jobs in the next 4 years. (TC founded a distillery in the interim). pic.twitter.com/VKOfzpamoL
— JPCampbellBiz (@JP_Biz) June 20, 2023
