Pff Group

What Pff Group does

PFF Group is a Keighley-headquartered, family-owned UK manufacturer founded in 1993 that produces sustainable, recyclable rigid plastic food-grade packaging. The group operates two divisions: PFF Packaging, its core business serving UK supermarkets, multi-national food manufacturers, fresh produce growers and food-service operators; and PFF Health, established in 2020 to manufacture disposable polythene aprons (the UK's largest producer at over 2 million units per day) and medical packaging components. Under CEO Andy Bairstow, the group employs more than 250 staff across three UK sites (Keighley, Washington and Sedgefield) and reports turnover of £45 million.

PFF's offering is vertically integrated across the production chain: in-house PET and PP sheet extrusion (over 22,000 tonnes/year of capacity), thermoforming, injection moulding, dry-offset printing, in-mould labelling (IML), and assembly. Differentiated product platforms include IMPAC-T — a recyclable rPET-plus-card hybrid with a verified 46% carbon footprint reduction — and Desto, a plastic-and-cardboard hybrid pack exempt from the UK Plastic Packaging Tax 2022. The company runs an award-winning Innovation Centre at Sedgefield with CNC milling and 3D CAD for sub-24-hour prototyping, supported by Key Account Managers with over 100 years of combined sector experience. Proprietary and partnership-led technology developments include ABA construction for rPET, HolyGrail 2.0 digital watermarking for recycling sortation, and NEXTLOOPP food-grade recycled PP trials.

Revenue is generated through B2B direct sales of custom and standard-stock packaging, primarily quote-based transactions negotiated by Key Account Managers with supermarkets, brand owners and food manufacturers. The go-to-market is domestic-only (United Kingdom), executed through enterprise field sales supplemented by the Made in Britain directory and the FruPro fresh-produce platform. Acquisitions (Thermopak 2018, Intelligent Packaging Solutions 2018, Sirap UK 2021) have driven scale, and the 2020 Department of Health and Social Care contract for 360 million PPE aprons catalysed the PFF Health diversification. The group is privately held, has no external funding rounds disclosed, and remains owner-operated by the founding Bairstow family.

Name

Pff Group

Legal name

PFF Packaging Group Limited

Website

https://pff.uk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

PFF Group is a family-owned UK manufacturer founded in 1993 that produces sustainable rigid plastic food-grade packaging — including proprietary IMPAC-T and Desto hybrid packs — through vertically integrated extrusion, thermoforming and injection moulding, serving supermarkets, food manufacturers, fresh produce growers and the NHS via its PFF Packaging and PFF Health divisions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rigid Plastic Food-Grade Packaging

NAICS

Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermoformed Packaging (Food, Beverage & Consumer Goods) (IMANAHAA)

Keywords

• Rigid plastic packaging
• Food-grade packaging
• Thermoformed containers
• Recyclable packaging manufacturing
• Sustainable food packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Keighley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Rigid Plastic Food Packaging Sales: PFF manufactures and sells sustainable, recyclable rigid plastic food-grade packaging solutions. Revenue is generated through the sale of proprietary packaging products to food retailers, manufacturers, and fresh produce companies. Products include thermoformed PET/PP containers, injection moulded pots, Desto hybrid cups, IMPAC-T packs, punnets, trays, and printed/decorated packaging.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PFF Group manufactures and sells sustainable, recyclable rigid plastic food-grade packaging solutions — including thermoformed containers, injection moulded packs, extruded PET/PP sheet products, and proprietary hybrid formats (IMPAC-T, Desto). Through its PFF Health division the company also manufactures disposable polythene PPE aprons and bespoke medical packaging components. The company operates two UK production sites and an award-winning Innovation Centre, delivering a full concept-to-delivery service to supermarkets, food manufacturers, fresh produce firms, foodservice operators and the NHS.

Product overview

PFF Group is a family-owned UK manufacturer offering two core divisions: PFF Packaging and PFF Health. PFF Packaging provides sustainable, recyclable rigid plastic food-grade packaging solutions through its vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities including extrusion, thermoforming, injection moulding, and decoration services. Key products include IMPAC-T (rPET hybrid packaging with 46% carbon reduction), Desto packaging (plastic/cardboard hybrid exempt from Plastic Packaging Tax), punnets for fresh produce, and a comprehensive range of standard and bespoke containers. PFF Health manufactures disposable polythene aprons (UK's largest manufacturer, producing 2M+ daily) and medical packaging solutions. The company operates Innovation Centre for design, prototyping and product development with award-winning capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMPAC-T: A groundbreaking, fully recyclable hybrid food packaging concept using rPET - offers 46% carbon footprint reduction compared to current assembly systems. Uses minimum 50% post-consumer recycled PET with ability to reach 100%.
• Desto
• rPET

Products and services

• IMPAC-T rPET Hybrid Packaging Ground-breaking, fully recyclable composite pack for dairy and other food applications combining rPET with a card wrap, manufactured in a single-step inline process. Suitable for retailers and manufacturers seeking high-recycled-content packaging with reduced carbon footprint.
• Desto Hybrid Packaging Lightweight plastic inlet combined with a cardboard wrap-around sleeve, suitable for dairy, ready meals, hot drinks, snacks, porridge and soups. Exempt from Plastic Packaging Tax 2022, 66% lighter than conventional injection moulded packs, with plastic tear-strip easily removed for recycling.
• Disposable Polythene Aprons PPE aprons for protection and hygiene against low-level hazards, available in Standard 16 micron and Medium 35 micron variants and in white, green, yellow, blue or red, on rolls or flat packed. Supplied to NHS trusts, dental practices, social care providers, pharmaceutical and veterinary customers.
• Medical Packaging Solutions & Medical Components Bespoke, high-quality and cost-effective medical packaging, polyware, medical components, procedure packs, and device components delivered using PFF's injection moulding and thermoforming capabilities to produce compliant packaging solutions for medical and device manufacturers.
• PFF Standard & Bespoke Food Packaging Range PFF's catalogue range of standard food packaging products (bowls, domes, hinge-packs, plates, pots, punnets, trays, wedges, lids and inserts) plus bespoke designed packaging across bakery, chilled foods, confectionery, dairy, fish, fresh produce, hot liquid, ice cream, meat, poultry, ready meals and snacks. Supplied in printed or unprinted variants to UK supermarkets, food manufacturers, foodservice and fresh produce companies.
• PFF Packaging Manufacturing Service End-to-end packaging manufacturing service covering initial concept, design, rapid prototyping (under 24 hours), extrusion, thermoforming, injection moulding, decoration (dry offset printing and IML), assembly and direct delivery. Operates 24/7 from Keighley and Washington sites for UK supermarkets, food manufacturers, foodservice and fresh produce customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 46% carbon footprint reduction — IMPAC-T vs current assembly system (independently verified by Comply Direct)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FruProminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 November 2022PFF Group joined the FruPro platform to support the British fresh produce marketplace and engage with other members of the platform. FruPro aims to optimise all aspects of the fresh produce supply chain. PFF is one of the UK's largest independent manufacturers of sustainable food-grade packaging and represents a key element of the fresh produce supply chain with its range of recyclable punnets for soft fruit, stone fruit, and salad. FruPro offered PFF customers a 15% discount on their first subscription package (code PFF15, valid until 31 Dec 2022).
• NEXTLOOPPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEXTLOOPP is a global initiative launched by sustainability consultant Nextek, aiming to produce the world's first commercially available high-quality food-grade polypropylene (FGrPP). PFF completed a full-scale production trial using NEXTLOOPP's prototype post-consumer food-grade compliant recycled PP resin (PPristine), containing 30% food-grade recycled PP. PFF is one of the initial group of project members conducting trials to assess the integrity of the material and its viability within their production process. When commercialised, FGrPP will enable PFF to produce food-grade packaging from recycled PP, closing the loop on food-grade PP.
• Operation Clean SweepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation Clean Sweep is an international initiative led by the British Plastics Federation (BPF) in the UK. It aims to ensure that plastic pellets, flakes, and powders passing through manufacturing facilities do not end up in seas or rivers. PFF's Keighley site received a certificate of recognition, and both sites are pledged participants. PFF carries out site audits, installs drain covers and pellet spill kits in unloading and storage areas.
• Illig GmbhcoreTechnology or IntegrationPFF partnered with German manufacturer Illig Gmbh — Europe's leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high-performance thermoforming machines — to develop and install cutting-edge machine process technology at PFF's Sedgefield site. The machine (first of its kind in the world) was used to manufacture IMPAC-T, PFF's new circular economy food packaging concept. The development challenged Illig Gmbh to design a precision-engineered system to produce PFF's unique rPET hybrid pot with a card wrap in one single process. The machine was transported to the UK on five vehicles.
• Bradford Council — Clean Air HGV Fund ProgrammeminorOthersPFF received a £16,000 grant under Bradford Council's £6.4m Clean Air HGV Fund Programme to help HGV operators adapt to the district's new Clean Air Zone. PFF used the grant as a deposit on a new diesel 18t DAF curtain-side wagon, replacing an older vehicle. The new Euro 6-compliant wagon enables fewer journeys and reduced carbon footprint for deliveries from PFF's Keighley factory.
• Made in BritaincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoth PFF Packaging and PFF Health divisions are members of the Made in Britain campaign, which champions UK manufacturers and enables members to use the widely recognised 'Made in Britain' mark. The campaign brings together British manufacturers and the directory encourages buyers and consumers to source British-made goods. PFF joins over 1,800 other UK businesses committed to manufacturing in Britain.
• KIEFEL GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationPFF installed a state-of-the-art KIEFEL GmbH-designed SPEEDFORMER KMD 78.2 Power thermoforming system at Sedgefield. The machine enables PFF to significantly increase production capacity of thermoformed products while reducing carbon footprint. It offers 20% higher heating capacity, servo drive with energy recovery process, accurate feed table, and efficient tool-change capability. Three times faster than the previous process.
• Comply DirectminorOthersIMPAC-T's 46% carbon footprint reduction was independently verified by Comply Direct, a carbon and environmental compliance advisory firm.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coveris: European flexible and rigid plastic packaging manufacturer serving food retail and food manufacturers with a strong sustainability and recyclability programme — comparable to PFF's IMPAC-T/Desto rPET and recycled-content strategy.
• Huhtamaki: Finnish global food packaging group with significant rigid plastic and hybrid (paperboard-plastic) foodservice and fresh-produce packaging; comparable to PFF in product mix, sustainability positioning, and large food-manufacturer customers.
• Faerch Group: Danish-headquartered rigid plastic food packaging manufacturer (PET and PP trays, containers, MAP packaging) with UK and European production — directly comparable to PFF in product format, materials (rPET focus), and food retail customer base.
• Linpac (Pactiv Evergreen): UK-originated rigid plastic food packaging manufacturer (now part of Pactiv Evergreen) operating from UK sites with comparable thermoformed trays and punnets for fresh produce and food retail — a direct UK competitor to PFF's standard range.

Broad incumbents

• Sealed Air: Diversified global packaging company with food packaging solutions (including rigid trays and Cryovac) and sustainability-led product lines; comparable in food-customer focus and ESG positioning though broader portfolio.
• Berry Global (now Magnera / Glatfelter combination): Global diversified plastic packaging giant with rigid food containers and consumer packaging divisions; competes broadly with PFF across food retail but operates at vastly larger scale and product breadth.
• Plastipak: US-headquartered global rigid plastic container manufacturer with significant food and beverage PET bottle and preform operations; adjacent to PFF in material (PET/rPET) and rigid-packaging technology, though with different end-product mix.
• Amcor: Global packaging incumbent with rigid and flexible food packaging portfolios; overlaps with PFF in food retail and foodservice, and competes on sustainability credentials at a significantly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Sabert Corporation Europe: Specialist rigid and hybrid plastic/fibre foodservice and food packaging manufacturer with sustainability-focused product lines; comparable to PFF's foodservice and hybrid (Desto) packaging offerings though with a stronger foodservice bias.
• Sirap Group (Italian parent of Sirap UK prior to PFF acquisition): Italian rigid plastic food packaging manufacturer; Sirap UK (the entity PFF acquired in 2021) was previously a direct UK peer, and the Italian parent remains an adjacent European thermoforming competitor with similar food retail customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pff-packaging-limited
• Facebookfacebook.com/PFFPackaging
• Xx.com/pffpackaging

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pff Group