Ipswich sustainable packaging firm Frugalpac, who produce the world’s first paper bottle for spirits and the machines that make them, were invited to a business reception at 10 Downing Street to meet the new Prime Minister, Chancellor and Business Secretary.
Frugalpac’s CEO Malcolm Waugh joined other specially invited Chief Executives to the event in the garden of No10.
Earlier this month the company was invited to meet His Majesty the King at Windsor Castle to mark their King’s Award for Enterprise for innovation for its Frugal Bottle and it produced a special commemorative paper bottle for the South African Government for a Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey to mark 30 years of democracy and freedom in South Africa.
Malcolm had previously met Prime Minister Starmer and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves when they were in opposition, thanks to introductions made by newly elected Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.
It comes as Sainsbury’s start stocking a new Frugal Bottle Pinot Grigio with When in Rome, following Aldi successfully releasing their own-label Cambalala wines in Frugalpac’s paper bottle earlier this year.
Frugalpac’s paper Frugal Bottle is made from 94% recycled paperboard with a food grade pouch to hold the liquid, is five times lighter than a glass bottle and crucially uses six times less carbon and energy to produce and dispose. This means it has a carbon footprint 84% lower than glass bottles. It also offers 360° branding for exceptional shelf standout.
More than 35 different drinks producers from around the world have launched 128 different SKUs of wines, spirits and olive oils in the Frugal Bottle. They are available in 25 countries including Australia, Japan, North America, Canada, the UK, across Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa.
Frugalpac has also sold three of its Frugal Bottle Assembly Machines for export.
KinsBrae Packaging in Canada bought the first machine to serve the Canadian and North American drinks markets and became operational in January 2024.
In the US, a second Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine will start producing paper bottles in California’s Monterey Wine Company in Autumn 2024 and Frugalpac have received a letter of intent to sell a machine to Australia for Mother of Pearl Vodka.
Frugalpac also has strong enquiries from more than 54 other international brand, contract packing and packaging companies to buy Frugal Bottle Assembly Machines.
In the UK, five brands have won listings with Frugal Bottles in four major UK supermarkets. Leading gin brand Greenall’s launched its first paper Frugal Bottle gin in Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK in 2022.
In 2023 When in Rome became the first paper bottle wine producer to win a supermarket listing with two SKUs on sale in 450 Sainsbury’s stores. Flawless Vodka won the first listing in Tesco stores with two SKUs.
Interpunkt with Journey’s End Vineyards won UK listings in Morrisons supermarkets, All Bar One, Castle and Stonegate pubs.
This year Aldi has also become the first supermarket to use our Frugal Bottles for its own brand wines and spirits – Cambalala Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz and Greyson’s Gin. And in the US, Whole Food Markets are stocking Bonny Doon Vineyard’s Carbon Nay wine.
Sainsbury’s have now started stocking a new Frugal Bottle – When in Rome’s Pinot Grigio – across all its large supermarkets in the UK.
Frugalpac also provided special commemorative paper wine bottles for an event last week at Westminster Abbey to mark the 30th anniversary of democratic elections in South Africa.
African entrepreneur Bassim Haidar, who was recently appointed as the new Honorary Consul for South Africa, commissioned Frugalpac to make commemorative bottles for a special luncheon in the grounds of the Abbey attended by the new South African Minister for International Relations Ronald Lamola MP.
The 50 commemorative paper bottles made for the Westminster Abbey event used the crest of the South African government and the national flag and were filled with a South African wine.
Frugalpac CEO Malcom Waugh said: “It’s been quite a month for Frugalpac. Our Product Director, John Paul Grogan meeting the King at Windsor Castle, producing commemorative bottles for South Africa and now getting invited to No10.
“This is testament to the tireless work our Frugalpac team has put in to make the Frugal Bottle and the machines that make them such a success.
“We’d like to thank Ipswich’s newly elected MP Jack Abbott for introducing us to Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves when they were in opposition.
“Whilst we are apolitical, we welcome the drive of the new Government and we look forward to their continuing support to help our mission to decarbonise the global drinks industry.”
Jack Abbott MP added: “Frugalpac are a fantastic example of a local business that’s gone global with a brilliant idea – to cut the carbon emissions of wine and spirits bottles. It was a great pleasure to introduce them to Sir Keir and Rachel, who’ve both become big fans of the Frugal Bottle.”
Honorary Consul for South Africa Bassim Haidar, who commissioned the Frugal Bottles for the Westminster Abbey event and has visited Frugalpac’s HQ in Ipswich, added: “In the 30th year of freedom and democracy we were proud to highlight the green links between South Africa and the UK and how we can work together to combat climate change and reduce carbon.
“We’d like to thank Frugalpac for their hard work in making these commemorative bottles and their brilliant work in sustainable packaging.”
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