Pulpex Funding, Investors & Competitors

Pulpex has raised $104M across 2 funding rounds, most recently a $78M Series D in February 2025.

Last Pulpex funding round

$78M

Series D · Feb 2025

Cumulative funding Pulpex raised

$104M

across 2 funding rounds

Key investors in Pulpex

  • CMPC Ventures
  • Scottish National Investment Bank
  • Diageo
  • National Wealth Fund
  • Pilot Lite Capital

Pulpex Overview

About Pulpex

Pulpex is a British packaging technology company developing fibre-based bottles for liquid products. Its technology produces containers using sustainably sourced wood pulp and is designed for compatibility with existing paper recycling streams. The company operates from Sawston in Cambridgeshire and originated from collaboration between Diageo and Pilot Lite. Its business model includes licensing production technology to packaging manufacturers and working with consumer brands on suitable applications. CMPC Ventures became an investor during the development of the company’s commercial production capabilities. In February 2025, Pulpex announced a GBP62 million Series D financing led by the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank, with existing investor participation. The financing supported a planned commercial production facility near Glasgow with an annual capacity of up to 40 million bottles. Pulpex works with packaging users in consumer goods markets, including beverages, food and personal care.


Founded

2020

HQ

United KingdomCambridge

Website

pulpex.com

Status

Privately held

Customer focus

B2B

Revenue model

Licensing

Pulpex Funding History

Pulpex has raised a total of $104M across 2 funding rounds.

Pulpex's first fundraising round was a $26M Series C in July 2023. The most recent completed round was a $78M Series D in February 2025.

Pulpex funding rounds

Pulpex funding rounds
DateStageInvestorsRaisedDeal Summary
Feb 2025Series DNational Wealth Fund (lead); Scottish National Investment Bank; CMPC Ventures$78MPulpex Limited is a sustainable packaging technology company based in Glasgow, Scotland, that has developed a fibre-based bottle made from sustainably sourced wood pulp, free from hidden plastic, and designed to be recycled like paper or card in household streams. This innovation serves as an alternative to non-biodegradable, plastic, and glass packaging, aiming to reduce plastic waste, carbon-intensive manufacturing, and support decarbonization in the packaging sector. On 19 February 2025, Pulpex announced a £62m (approximately $78m USD) Series D funding round to finance the construction of its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow. The round was led by the National Wealth Fund (NWF), which committed £43.5m in direct equity as the cornerstone investment, with a £10m co-investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank and the balance from existing investors. This marked the NWF's first investment in Scotland following its transformation and highlighted support for green jobs, economic growth, and Net Zero goals. Lazard acted as financial adviser, with Damus Capital also involved in some reports. The investment is expected to scale Pulpex's patented Material Bioscience technology globally, leveraging Glasgow's innovation ecosystem. Statements from NWF, Scottish officials like Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized job creation (part of 8,600 jobs fueled by NWF), unlocking private investment (£1.6 billion), and advancing circular economy potential. Pulpex CEO Scott Winston noted the funding's role in commercializing the technology for partners worldwide. No financial metrics such as post-money valuation, revenue, ARR, EBITDA, or valuation multiples were disclosed in the announcements. The focus was on the round size, investor commitments, and strategic use of funds for manufacturing expansion.
Jul 2023Series CDiageo; CMPC Ventures; Pilot Lite Capital$26MPulpex Limited is a sustainable packaging technology company that develops the world’s first patented, customisable, single-mould paper bottle made from 90%+ sustainably sourced wood pulp, PEFC-accredited and FSC-certified. Established as a collaboration between Pilot Lite Group and Diageo PLC, it has partnerships with major FMCG brands including Unilever and Kraft Heinz. The company operates from its R&D and pilot production facility in Cambridge, UK, aiming to provide alternatives to glass and plastic packaging with lower carbon footprints. On July 3, 2023, Pulpex announced its Series C funding round, raising between £20m and £25m from new investor CMPC—one of the world’s largest pulp and paper companies—alongside existing shareholders Diageo and Pilot Lite Capital, and further sustainability impact investors. Lazard acted as financial adviser. The funds will enable the first stage of commercial-scale rollout, including a production line for genuine paper bottles and licensed manufacturing partners globally from mid-2024, targeting supply of over 2 billion bottles to consumer brands by 2028. Pulpex CEO Scott Winston described the investment as an inflection point for reducing reliance on traditional packaging and accelerating sustainable fibre packaging availability to meet consumer demand and 2030 carbon goals. CMPC's Felipe Alcalde highlighted synergies for industrial-scale growth and new packaging opportunities. Subsequently, Pulpex raised a £62m Series D round led by the National Wealth Fund (£43.5m) and Scottish National Investment Bank (£10m), with existing investors, to build its first commercial-scale facility near Glasgow producing 50 million bottles annually, creating 35 jobs and advancing global adoption.

Who has invested in Pulpex?

5 investors have backed Pulpex across its funding rounds, including CMPC Ventures, Scottish National Investment Bank, Diageo, National Wealth Fund and Pilot Lite Capital.

Lead investors include National Wealth Fund.


Pulpex Investors

Investors in Pulpex by funding rounds participated
InvestorHQRoundsRoleFirst check
CMPC VenturesChileSantiago2ParticipantJul 2023
DiageoUnited KingdomLondon1ParticipantJul 2023
Scottish National Investment BankUnited KingdomEdinburgh1ParticipantFeb 2025

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Pulpex Competitors

Pulpex competitors include listed companies like Smurfit WestRock, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Packaging Corporation of America and Amcor, and private ones like Zume and Loscam.

Public and private companies comparable to Pulpex
CompanyHQStatusRevenueEBITDAValuationRevenue Multiple
Smurfit WestRockIrelandIrelandPublicly listed$31B$4.2B$24B1.2x
Coca-Cola FEMSAMexicoMexicoPublicly listed$17B$3.1B$23B1.5x
Packaging Corporation of AmericaUnited StatesUnited StatesPublicly listed$9B$1.8B$21B2.5x
AmcorUnited KingdomUnited KingdomPublicly listed$24B$3.3B$20B1.4x
ZumeUnited StatesLos Angeles, CAPrivate--$1.9B-
LoscamHong KongHong KongPrivate--$1.7B-

Pulpex Public Comps

Pulpex is still privately-owned, but its public comps include Smurfit WestRock, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Packaging Corporation of America, Amcor, International Paper, Ball, Avery Dennison, Crown Holdings, CCL Industries and Dai Nippon Printing.

Last FYEV/RevenueEV/EBITDA
RevenueEBITDALast FYLTM2027ELast FYLTM2027E
Smurfit WestRock$31B$4.2B1.2x1.2x8.8x7.5x
Coca-Cola FEMSA$17B$3.1B1.6x1.5x8.5x7.5x
Packaging Corporation of America$9B$1.8B2.8x2.5x14.1x12.3x
Amcor$24B$3.3B1.4x1.4x10.0x9.1x
International Paper$24B($142M)1.2x1.1x(195.7x)8.8x
Ball$13B$2B1.7x1.6x11.2x10.8x
Avery Dennison$8.9B$1.4B1.9x1.8x11.8x10.9x
Crown Holdings$12B$2B1.5x1.4x9.3x8.6x

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Common questions about Pulpex

When was Pulpex founded?Pulpex was founded in 2020.
Where is Pulpex headquartered?Pulpex is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Is Pulpex publicly listed?No, Pulpex is a private, VC-backed company.
How much funding has Pulpex raised?Pulpex has raised $104M across 2 funding rounds.
What was Pulpex's last funding round?Pulpex's last funding round was a $78M Series D in February 2025, led by National Wealth Fund.
Who are Pulpex's investors?Pulpex's investors include CMPC Ventures, Diageo, Scottish National Investment Bank, Pilot Lite Capital and National Wealth Fund.
Which companies are comparable to Pulpex?Companies comparable to Pulpex include Smurfit WestRock, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Packaging Corporation of America, Amcor, Zume and Loscam.

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