Transcend Packaging recognised for leadership in sustainable manufacturing by Welsh government

IW Capital is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, Transcend Packaging Ltd, has been featured in Business News Wales after hosting a visit by the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens. The visit underlines Transcends status as a front-runner in sustainable packaging innovation and its role in strengthening Welsh manufacturing.

Based in Ystrad Mynach, Transcend continues to drive forward with pioneering developments in eco-friendly packaging. Its collaboration with Starbucks has produced a new paper-based hot drink cup and lid solution that replaces traditional plastic linings with mineral-based coatings and swaps single-use plastic lids for fibre alternatives. The technology is already being rolled out across several European markets.

During her visit, Secretary of State Jo Stevens praised Transcend as “a fantastic Welsh success story”, highlighting how the company’s partnership with a global brand is creating skilled jobs and boosting exports from Wales. Transcends Ystrad Mynach facility, which employs close to 200 people, now ships its innovative cups and lids across several European markets, setting a new benchmark for sustainable food-service packaging.

The innovation builds on significant R&D investment over more than three years, with dozens of prototypes and thousands of hours of testing. The result: a product that delivers the same premium experience for consumers as conventional alternatives, but with significantly improved end-of-life credentials – widely recyclable and certified home-compostable.

For IW Capital, supporting Transcend aligns with its strategy of backing businesses that combine commercial excellence with environmental impact. Transcends achievement in developing a scalable, UK-based solution to reduce single-use plastic waste is a testament to the value of aligning purpose, innovation and growth.