Sustainable materials

Packaging

Developing innovative barrier materials for sustainable packaging.

Get in touch

View capabilities

Driving sustainable innovation in packaging

Sustainable packaging plays a critical role in reducing environmental impact, maintaining product integrity, and meeting evolving regulatory requirements. CPI helps you develop novel barrier materials by combining advanced polymer science with coating expertise to create sustainable, commercially viable packaging solutions.

Our capabilities include the development of next-generation barrier materials, advanced deposition techniques, rigorous testing and characterisation, and modelling and simulation to accelerate product development. These are underpinned by life cycle and techno-economic assessments to ensure your packaging solutions meet market demands efficiently and effectively.

Two CPI experts inspecting white plastic cylinders.

Sustainable materials

Packaging

Developing innovative barrier materials for sustainable packaging.

Get in touch

View capabilities

Driving sustainable innovation in packaging

Sustainable packaging plays a critical role in reducing environmental impact, maintaining product integrity, and meeting evolving regulatory requirements. CPI helps you develop novel barrier materials by combining advanced polymer science with coating expertise to create sustainable, commercially viable packaging solutions.

Our capabilities include the development of next-generation barrier materials, advanced deposition techniques, rigorous testing and characterisation, and modelling and simulation to accelerate product development. These are underpinned by life cycle and techno-economic assessments to ensure your packaging solutions meet market demands efficiently and effectively.

Sustainable materials

Packaging

Developing innovative barrier materials for sustainable packaging.

Get in touch

View capabilities

Driving sustainable innovation in packaging

Sustainable packaging plays a critical role in reducing environmental impact, maintaining product integrity, and meeting evolving regulatory requirements. CPI helps you develop novel barrier materials by combining advanced polymer science with coating expertise to create sustainable, commercially viable packaging solutions.

Our capabilities include the development of next-generation barrier materials, advanced deposition techniques, rigorous testing and characterisation, and modelling and simulation to accelerate product development. These are underpinned by life cycle and techno-economic assessments to ensure your packaging solutions meet market demands efficiently and effectively.

Two CPI experts inspecting white plastic cylinders.
  • Rolls Royce
  • Drochaid Research Services
  • University of Nottingham
  • University of Sheffield
  • Photocentric
  • LiNa Energy

What we offer

We support the development of advanced barrier materials for packaging—from initial concept through to scalable commercial production. Our integrated approach helps accelerate development, reduce risk, and ensure your innovations are market ready.

What we offer

We support the development of advanced barrier materials for packaging—from initial concept through to scalable commercial production. Our integrated approach helps accelerate development, reduce risk, and ensure your innovations are market ready.

What we offer

We support the development of advanced barrier materials for packaging—from initial concept through to scalable commercial production. Our integrated approach helps accelerate development, reduce risk, and ensure your innovations are market ready.

Barrier material development

Drawing on our deep expertise in polymer science and coating technologies, we develop high-performance barrier materials for a wide range of packaging applications. Our approach focuses on sustainability, commercial viability, and product protection.

Our barrier material development capabilities include:

  • Novel polymer and coating formulations.

  • Performance mapping via permeation testing (liquids, gases, vapours).

  • Mechanical and analytical characterisation.

  • Life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA).

Barrier material development

Drawing on our deep expertise in polymer science and coating technologies, we develop high-performance barrier materials for a wide range of packaging applications. Our approach focuses on sustainability, commercial viability, and product protection.

Our barrier material development capabilities include:

  • Novel polymer and coating formulations.

  • Performance mapping via permeation testing (liquids, gases, vapours).

  • Mechanical and analytical characterisation.

  • Life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA).

Polymer optimisation and processing

We offer advanced formulation capabilities with a focus on biopolymers, sustainability, and material performance. Our tailored support ensures your polymer systems are optimised for robust processing and scalable manufacturing.

We support polymer optimisation through: 

  • Polymer synthesis and functionalisation.

  • Micro- and nanomaterial dispersion.

  • Comprehensive characterisation (mechanical, chemical, physical, surface, bulk, interfacial).

  • Polymer compounding and extrusion.

Polymer optimisation and processing

We offer advanced formulation capabilities with a focus on biopolymers, sustainability, and material performance. Our tailored support ensures your polymer systems are optimised for robust processing and scalable manufacturing.

We support polymer optimisation through: 

  • Polymer synthesis and functionalisation.

  • Micro- and nanomaterial dispersion.

  • Comprehensive characterisation (mechanical, chemical, physical, surface, bulk, interfacial).

  • Polymer compounding and extrusion.

Advanced deposition techniques

Using industry-relevant deposition methods, we apply barrier materials to a variety of substrates at multiple scales — enabling a smooth transition from lab to full-scale production.

Our deposition expertise includes:

  • Coating on paper and polymer substrates.

  • Batch deposition techniques.

  • Roll-to-roll processing.

  • Process scalability assessments.

Advanced deposition techniques

Using industry-relevant deposition methods, we apply barrier materials to a variety of substrates at multiple scales — enabling a smooth transition from lab to full-scale production.

Our deposition expertise includes:

  • Coating on paper and polymer substrates.

  • Batch deposition techniques.

  • Roll-to-roll processing.

  • Process scalability assessments.

Digital transformation and optimisation

We apply digital tools and simulation methods to improve the efficiency of packaging development, reducing time-to-market and development costs.

 Our digital capabilities include:

  • Modelling and simulation tools.

  • Advanced analytics for barrier performance.

Digital transformation and optimisation

We apply digital tools and simulation methods to improve the efficiency of packaging development, reducing time-to-market and development costs.

 Our digital capabilities include:

  • Modelling and simulation tools.

  • Advanced analytics for barrier performance.

Inks, coatings and adhesives expertise

We develop inks, coatings, and adhesives designed for sustainable packaging performance. Our solutions support recyclability, functionality, and regulatory compliance.

 We offer expertise in:

  • Sustainable and bio-based inks and coatings.

  • Adhesive systems optimised for recyclability.

  • Comprehensive performance validation.

Inks, coatings and adhesives expertise

We develop inks, coatings, and adhesives designed for sustainable packaging performance. Our solutions support recyclability, functionality, and regulatory compliance.

 We offer expertise in:

  • Sustainable and bio-based inks and coatings.

  • Adhesive systems optimised for recyclability.

  • Comprehensive performance validation.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

With over 500 experts we are here to help.

Get in touch

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

With over 500 experts we are here to help.

Get in touch

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

With over 500 experts we are here to help.

Get in touch

Packaging applications

Our barrier material solutions support a wide range of packaging applications, including:

Industrial and hazardous materials containment.

Electronics and sensitive product protection.

Food and beverage packaging.

Pharmaceutical and medical packaging.

Biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions.

Cosmetics and personal care packaging.

Sustainable packaging.

A manager monitoring an automated food production line on a conveyor belt.

Packaging applications

Our barrier material solutions support a wide range of packaging applications, including:

Industrial and hazardous materials containment.

Electronics and sensitive product protection.

Food and beverage packaging.

Pharmaceutical and medical packaging.

Biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions.

Cosmetics and personal care packaging.

Sustainable packaging.

A manager monitoring an automated food production line on a conveyor belt.

Packaging applications

Our barrier material solutions support a wide range of packaging applications, including:

Industrial and hazardous materials containment.

Electronics and sensitive product protection.

Food and beverage packaging.

Pharmaceutical and medical packaging.

Biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions.

Cosmetics and personal care packaging.

Sustainable packaging.

A manager monitoring an automated food production line on a conveyor belt.

How we support you

At CPI, we provide end-to-end support to help you successfully commercialise innovative packaging materials. Our approach minimises risks, maximises efficiency, and ensures alignment with sustainability standards.

How we support you

At CPI, we provide end-to-end support to help you successfully commercialise innovative packaging materials. Our approach minimises risks, maximises efficiency, and ensures alignment with sustainability standards.

How we support you

At CPI, we provide end-to-end support to help you successfully commercialise innovative packaging materials. Our approach minimises risks, maximises efficiency, and ensures alignment with sustainability standards.

Optimise and de-risk product and process development

Our analytical and testing capabilities enable precise validation and optimisation of barrier performance, reducing development risks. By identifying issues early, we help ensure your packaging is robust and market ready. We also conduct feasibility studies to inform optimisation strategies that meet commercial and environmental goals.

Optimise and de-risk product and process development

Our analytical and testing capabilities enable precise validation and optimisation of barrier performance, reducing development risks. By identifying issues early, we help ensure your packaging is robust and market ready. We also conduct feasibility studies to inform optimisation strategies that meet commercial and environmental goals.

Scale with confidence

Our pilot and demonstration-scale facilities support a smooth transition from lab to industrial production. Life cycle and techno-economic analyses confirm scalability and viability. Our scale-up engineers provide process validation to reduce risk and ensure consistent quality at scale.

Scale with confidence

Our pilot and demonstration-scale facilities support a smooth transition from lab to industrial production. Life cycle and techno-economic analyses confirm scalability and viability. Our scale-up engineers provide process validation to reduce risk and ensure consistent quality at scale.

Collaborate with packaging material experts

Partner with our multidisciplinary team to accelerate development and expand your R&D capacity. Our expertise in polymer science, coatings, and deposition delivers scalable, sustainable solutions. We provide access to advanced equipment, technical insight, and industry knowledge to fast-track innovation.

Collaborate with packaging material experts

Partner with our multidisciplinary team to accelerate development and expand your R&D capacity. Our expertise in polymer science, coatings, and deposition delivers scalable, sustainable solutions. We provide access to advanced equipment, technical insight, and industry knowledge to fast-track innovation.

Access funding and strategic partnerships

Tap into our expansive networks to secure funding and build strategic partnerships. We help you identify and pursue investment opportunities, supporting you through grant applications, private funding, and partner engagement to drive your packaging innovation to market.

Access funding and strategic partnerships

Tap into our expansive networks to secure funding and build strategic partnerships. We help you identify and pursue investment opportunities, supporting you through grant applications, private funding, and partner engagement to drive your packaging innovation to market.

  • CPI scientist pouring blue liquid into a glass reactor vessel in a laboratory.
    CPI scientist operating an automated LABMAN system beside a control monitor.
  • Engineer viewing a 3D optical lens ray-trace simulation on a computer monitor.
    View through tinted glass of a dispensing print head operating inside a lab enclosure.
  • Reactor-Ready 500 ml jacketed glass process reactor filled with a pale liquid.
  • Automated machine head positioned over a circular wafer during processing.
    Operator holding a radio while monitoring a Siemens process control screen.
  • Person in a blue coat carrying a white hard hat printed with the CPI logo.
    Close-up of stainless steel perforated drums on pharmaceutical processing equipment.
  • Round-bottom flask containing yellow liquid suspended in a clear water bath on a hotplate.
  • CPI scientist pouring blue liquid into a glass reactor vessel in a laboratory.
    CPI scientist operating an automated LABMAN system beside a control monitor.
  • Engineer viewing a 3D optical lens ray-trace simulation on a computer monitor.
    View through tinted glass of a dispensing print head operating inside a lab enclosure.
  • Reactor-Ready 500 ml jacketed glass process reactor filled with a pale liquid.
  • Automated machine head positioned over a circular wafer during processing.
    Operator holding a radio while monitoring a Siemens process control screen.
  • Person in a blue coat carrying a white hard hat printed with the CPI logo.
    Close-up of stainless steel perforated drums on pharmaceutical processing equipment.
  • Round-bottom flask containing yellow liquid suspended in a clear water bath on a hotplate.
  • CPI scientist pouring blue liquid into a glass reactor vessel in a laboratory.
    CPI scientist operating an automated LABMAN system beside a control monitor.
  • Engineer viewing a 3D optical lens ray-trace simulation on a computer monitor.
    View through tinted glass of a dispensing print head operating inside a lab enclosure.
  • Reactor-Ready 500 ml jacketed glass process reactor filled with a pale liquid.
  • Automated machine head positioned over a circular wafer during processing.
    Operator holding a radio while monitoring a Siemens process control screen.
  • Person in a blue coat carrying a white hard hat printed with the CPI logo.
    Close-up of stainless steel perforated drums on pharmaceutical processing equipment.
  • Round-bottom flask containing yellow liquid suspended in a clear water bath on a hotplate.
£
0
1
2
3
bn

private investment unlocked

0
1
,
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0
0
+

R&D projects delivered

0
1
2
0
+

years of experience

0
1
2
,
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0
0
+

business collaborations

0
1
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
,
0
0
0
m²

facilities

£
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
m

innovation assets

£
0
1
2
3
bn

private investment unlocked

0
1
,
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0
0
+

R&D projects delivered

0
1
2
0
+

years of experience

0
1
2
,
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0
0
+

business collaborations

0
1
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
,
0
0
0
m²

facilities

£
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
m

innovation assets

£
0
1
2
3
bn

private investment unlocked

0
1
,
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0
0
+

R&D projects delivered

0
1
2
0
+

years of experience

0
1
2
,
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0
0
+

business collaborations

0
1
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
,
0
0
0
m²

facilities

£
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
m

innovation assets

Trusted by leading organisations

Showing slide 1 of 1
Photocentric

With CPI’s help, we now have a solid proof-of-concept that we’ve been able to move forward in the development process to higher TRL levels. CPI aided in delivering results and knowledge with a reduced capital investment, allowing us to to achieve our goal in a shorter time span.

Headshot of Robert Young.

Robert Young

Head of Chemistry and Batteries

LiNa Energy

I am delighted with the outcomes of our collaboration with CPI. This project has advanced our Na-MTL-Cl battery technology, demonstrating its enormous potential to decarbonise automotive transport and provide efficient and effective energy storage solutions.

Gene Lewis, Founder LiNA Energy

Gene Lewis

Founder

Chestnut BioPolymers

"We've got prototypes already, which is great. We just made our first sale and so, we've gone from being a research and development company to a trading company, which is quite amazing."

Headshot of Ian Edward Brown, Director

Ian Edward Brown

Director

Stuff4Life

"We are really excited about the next stage of our Stuff4Life journey. Our ultimate goal remains the same – to make new polyester products from old polyester products – but also to make the next generation of workwear last even longer, perform even better and be more recyclable when its job is done. This can make a real difference delivering not just a circular economy for critical materials but decarbonising industrial processes and delivering even better outcomes for all."

Headshot of John Twitchen, Director and Co-Founder

John Twitchen

Director and Co-Founder

Descycle

The future for DEScycle is really exciting. DES truly has the potential to change the world, delivering a step-change in how we produce and recycle metals. By replacing energy and emission intensive processes with DEScycle’s novel technology we can supply the energy transition with low-impact low-carbon metal. Thanks to CPI’s investment and in-house experience, we will be able to rapidly commercialise this technology and bring real disruption to the metals market.

Headshot of Fred White, CCO

Fred White

CCO

Azotic

By working with CPI’s unique combination of in-house expertise and capability, we have saved many months of process development and scale-up, accelerating the commercialisation of our product.

Headshot of Steve Pearson, Chief Operating Officer

Steve Pearson

Chief Operating Officer

Trusted by leading organisations

Showing slide 1 of 1
Photocentric

With CPI’s help, we now have a solid proof-of-concept that we’ve been able to move forward in the development process to higher TRL levels. CPI aided in delivering results and knowledge with a reduced capital investment, allowing us to to achieve our goal in a shorter time span.

Headshot of Robert Young.

Robert Young

Head of Chemistry and Batteries

LiNa Energy

I am delighted with the outcomes of our collaboration with CPI. This project has advanced our Na-MTL-Cl battery technology, demonstrating its enormous potential to decarbonise automotive transport and provide efficient and effective energy storage solutions.

Gene Lewis, Founder LiNA Energy

Gene Lewis

Founder

Chestnut BioPolymers

"We've got prototypes already, which is great. We just made our first sale and so, we've gone from being a research and development company to a trading company, which is quite amazing."

Headshot of Ian Edward Brown, Director

Ian Edward Brown

Director

Stuff4Life

"We are really excited about the next stage of our Stuff4Life journey. Our ultimate goal remains the same – to make new polyester products from old polyester products – but also to make the next generation of workwear last even longer, perform even better and be more recyclable when its job is done. This can make a real difference delivering not just a circular economy for critical materials but decarbonising industrial processes and delivering even better outcomes for all."

Headshot of John Twitchen, Director and Co-Founder

John Twitchen

Director and Co-Founder

Descycle

The future for DEScycle is really exciting. DES truly has the potential to change the world, delivering a step-change in how we produce and recycle metals. By replacing energy and emission intensive processes with DEScycle’s novel technology we can supply the energy transition with low-impact low-carbon metal. Thanks to CPI’s investment and in-house experience, we will be able to rapidly commercialise this technology and bring real disruption to the metals market.

Headshot of Fred White, CCO

Fred White

CCO

Azotic

By working with CPI’s unique combination of in-house expertise and capability, we have saved many months of process development and scale-up, accelerating the commercialisation of our product.

Headshot of Steve Pearson, Chief Operating Officer

Steve Pearson

Chief Operating Officer

Trusted by leading organisations

Showing slide 1 of 1
Photocentric

With CPI’s help, we now have a solid proof-of-concept that we’ve been able to move forward in the development process to higher TRL levels. CPI aided in delivering results and knowledge with a reduced capital investment, allowing us to to achieve our goal in a shorter time span.

Headshot of Robert Young.

Robert Young

Head of Chemistry and Batteries

LiNa Energy

I am delighted with the outcomes of our collaboration with CPI. This project has advanced our Na-MTL-Cl battery technology, demonstrating its enormous potential to decarbonise automotive transport and provide efficient and effective energy storage solutions.

Gene Lewis, Founder LiNA Energy

Gene Lewis

Founder

Chestnut BioPolymers

"We've got prototypes already, which is great. We just made our first sale and so, we've gone from being a research and development company to a trading company, which is quite amazing."

Headshot of Ian Edward Brown, Director

Ian Edward Brown

Director

Stuff4Life

"We are really excited about the next stage of our Stuff4Life journey. Our ultimate goal remains the same – to make new polyester products from old polyester products – but also to make the next generation of workwear last even longer, perform even better and be more recyclable when its job is done. This can make a real difference delivering not just a circular economy for critical materials but decarbonising industrial processes and delivering even better outcomes for all."

Headshot of John Twitchen, Director and Co-Founder

John Twitchen

Director and Co-Founder

Descycle

The future for DEScycle is really exciting. DES truly has the potential to change the world, delivering a step-change in how we produce and recycle metals. By replacing energy and emission intensive processes with DEScycle’s novel technology we can supply the energy transition with low-impact low-carbon metal. Thanks to CPI’s investment and in-house experience, we will be able to rapidly commercialise this technology and bring real disruption to the metals market.

Headshot of Fred White, CCO

Fred White

CCO

Azotic

By working with CPI’s unique combination of in-house expertise and capability, we have saved many months of process development and scale-up, accelerating the commercialisation of our product.

Headshot of Steve Pearson, Chief Operating Officer

Steve Pearson

Chief Operating Officer

Why choose CPI?

Polymer science excellence

Deep expertise in polymer formulations and coating technologies.

Scalable infrastructure

Industrially relevant facilities for barrier material development and performance testing.

Accelerated innovation

Advanced digital tools that streamline development and reduce time to market.

Comprehensive support

End-to-end guidance from early-stage concept to commercial launch.

Integrated approach

Life cycle and techno-economic assessments to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Collaborative network

Strong partnerships across industry, academia, and government to drive innovation.

Why choose CPI?

Polymer science excellence

Deep expertise in polymer formulations and coating technologies.

Scalable infrastructure

Industrially relevant facilities for barrier material development and performance testing.

Accelerated innovation

Advanced digital tools that streamline development and reduce time to market.

Comprehensive support

End-to-end guidance from early-stage concept to commercial launch.

Integrated approach

Life cycle and techno-economic assessments to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Collaborative network

Strong partnerships across industry, academia, and government to drive innovation.

Why choose CPI?

Work with us to defer capital and workforce investments until your product or process is proven at scale.

Polymer science excellence

Deep expertise in polymer formulations and coating technologies.

Scalable infrastructure

Industrially relevant facilities for barrier material development and performance testing.

Accelerated innovation

Advanced digital tools that streamline development and reduce time to market.

Comprehensive support

End-to-end guidance from early-stage concept to commercial launch.

Integrated approach

Life cycle and techno-economic assessments to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Collaborative network

Strong partnerships across industry, academia, and government to drive innovation.

Get in touch

Get in touch

Get in touch

More in Sustainable materials

Sustainable materials

Pink liquid in a beaker.

Sustainable chemicals

Read more

Traces of plastic and microplastic in petri dish in a lab setting.

Recovery, recycling and re-use

Read more

CPI expert inspecting a square piece of plastic.

Polymers

Read more

More in Sustainable materials

Pink liquid in a beaker.

Sustainable chemicals

Read more

Traces of plastic and microplastic in petri dish in a lab setting.

Recovery, recycling and re-use

Read more

More in Sustainable materials

Sustainable materials

Pink liquid in a beaker.

Sustainable chemicals

Read more

Traces of plastic and microplastic in petri dish in a lab setting.

Recovery, recycling and re-use

Read more