About Us
For over 55 years our award-winning innovations have changed the landscape of flexible packaging within the food industry.
We continually look to add value for our customers by developing new pack formats and new laminates to increase their sales, improve production line performance, reduce costs or move products into recyclable packaging solutions. We use our extensive material and print knowledge along with our technical expertise to develop practical, sustainable solutions that add value for our customers and functionality and convenience to consumers.
Based in Northamptonshire, we are one of the very few flexible packaging converters that can offer a complete solution to your packaging requirements. From the initial design concept all the way through to final production, our team of industry experts take care of the entire process in-house.
Based on the guiding principle of ‘People Passion Packaging’, we manufacture tailor-made flexible packaging solutions.
On-Site Manufacturing
Our Northamptonshire site extends to 115,000 sq ft and all of the flexible packaging we produce is manufactured here on our state-of-the-art equipment. We were extremely proud to win SME of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards in 2019 and see this as a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our entire team to produce high-quality and innovative packaging solutions and also the investments we have made to bolster our capacity and capabilities within the flexible packaging industry.
We have recently responded to unprecedented growth in key areas of the business with new investments in laser technology, lamination, pouch making and reseal label application systems. These investments represent a significant step forward for Constantia FFP, allowing us to increase not only our capacity but also our product range in these important market areas including the development of more sustainable options.
Sustainable Commitment
Constantia FFP have wholeheartedly committed to the development of materials and pack formats that can help to reduce any negative impact on the environment. Our technical expertise and manufacturing capability puts us in an optimal position to drive the innovation of more sustainable flexible packaging solutions and has enabled us to bring to market award winning solutions that can be readily collected through existing waste collection systems.
Furthermore, we strive to make our own processes as sustainable as possible to minimise the company’s environmental impact and we have procedures in place to sort our waste material and send it for recycling, diverting it from landfill. Constantia FFP were the first flexible packaging company to achieve ISO 14001, the Environmental standard which commits us to continuous improvement of our environmental performance.
Our History
With over 55 years of experience, we are experts in flexible packaging and have been recognised for our wide range of high-quality products, innovations and exceptional service. Constantia FFP’s highly motivated team is focused on continuous growth; our innovations have changed the landscape of flexible packaging within the food industry. Faced with real-world problems we apply our materials, print knowledge and technical expertise to come up with practical solutions that work. We continually look to add value for our customers, by developing new pack formats and new laminates to increase their sales, improve production line performance, reduce costs or move products into recyclable packaging solutions.
1978
Our extensive knowledge of ovenable films dates back to 1978 when we developed the first ovenable lidding film for ovenable ready-meals.
1995
FFP makes flexible packaging history by converting over 200 designs for a major brand from Gravure to High Quality Flexographic print.
2005
FFP launches Estersteam; a microwaveable packaging innovation that makes microwave cooking simple, consistent, convenient and presents perfectly cooked meals time after time.
2010
FFP were ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation in sustainable packaging. Over a decade ago we supplied a 30% post-consumer recycled lidding film to a major retailer. Today we can supply over 50% post-consumer recycled material which easily exceeds the guidelines for the proposed plastic tax.
2013
This is the year that FFP changed the shape of the market for ovenable packaging; Estercook was launched into Asda for roast in the bag chickens – the first fully printed ovenable packaging to reach the market and a reflection of how FFP pushes the boundaries of expectation with our technical expertise in flexible packaging. This innovation also provided real benefits in the battle against Campylobacter contamination as raw meat is contained within the pack from the factory production line all the way through the supply chain until it comes out of the consumer’s oven perfectly cooked and ready to eat.
2014
FFP’s Reseal lidding film was launched into Tesco. The market for reseal technology has developed rapidly over recent years as it offers outstanding convenience for consumers and can assist in maintaining product freshness. FFP have invested significantly in response to market demand and can now boast three Reseal machines at our Northamptonshire based site.
2017
FFP’s ovenable pouches win ‘Best New Concept’ at the UK Packaging Awards. As industry leaders in high temperature flexible packaging and with many key developments under our belt, we took the next step and developed a fully printable ovenable pouch. This opened up the technology to many more applications and took consumer convenience to a whole new level.
2018
First FFP Sustainability Seminar. Leading the way in addressing the challenges companies face on their journey to achieving true sustainability in flexible packaging, we invited key speakers and industry experts to share ideas and network with our customers and brand owners. Due to the success of our first event, we now organise these events on a regular basis.
2018
FFP responds to unprecedented growth in key areas of the business with new investments to bolster capacity and provide unique manufacturing capability for the UK flexible packaging market. With new investments in lamination, pouch making and Re-Seal label application systems, FFP is set to further solidify its position as the UK’s leading flexible packaging innovator.
2019
FFP launches ‘FFPE’ an all PE laminate that is 100% recyclable. FFPE can be recycled with carrier bags at large supermarkets and is available with high barrier and in a range of formats. FFPE is a huge step forward in sustainable flexible packaging and has enabled many diverse categories to move their products into recyclable packaging.
2019
FFP takes home two awards at the prestigious UK Packaging Awards; ‘Consumer Convenience’ for Reseal & Recycle, our widely recycled resealable pack and SME of the Year!
2019
FFP makes a huge breakthrough in recyclable packaging and launches the first resalable lidding film that is classified as Recyclable by OPRL. Esterseal is a PET lidding film that has been designed to be used with a PET tray which can be collected in its entirety through the pots, tubs and trays kerbside collection system.
2020
Demonstrating our world class manufacturing capabilities and capacity, we were delighted to produce our 50 Millionth pouch in-house on our state-of-the-art pouch making machines.
2020
An incredible night for FFP winning 5 awards at the EFIA Print Awards. We were absolutely delighted to take home the coveted ‘Best in Show’ award for our ‘Juicy Meat Company Large Beef Easy Cook Pouch’ and a further 2 Gold awards in the categories of ‘Flexo Print on Film – Reverse print wide’ and ‘Environmental & Sustainability’. We also took home a Bronze and a Silver for our use of flexo for brands and retailers. An amazing achievement and a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our team at FFP along with our outstanding print capabilities.
2020
FFP launches a new website. The new dynamic website is designed to be user friendly, easy to navigate and highlights the journey FFP have taken over the past 55 years, reflecting their vast knowledge and expertise.
2020
In October 2020 FFP commissioned their latest investment; a new laser system which will enhance FFP’s laser profiling capability and increase capacity for their award winning Esterseal Recyclable Lidding Film. FFP are committed to developing sustainable packaging solutions and this latest investment reflects both their commitment to sustainability and responsiveness to market demands and customer requirements.
2020
FFP were delighted to be announced as winners at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards in the category of ‘Innovation’ for their Esterseal Recyclable Lidding Film; the original resealable lidding film that is classified as ‘Recycle’ by OPRL and can be collected at Kerbside.
2021
Happy Birthday FFP! In 2021 we celebrated 55 years of market leading innovations and achievements.
2021
FFP’s extremely popular series of Sustainability Events moved to an online platform for 2021 and the first FFP Sustainability Webinar was launched. With guest speakers from the BPF, Nomad Foods/Birds Eye and IPL/Asda the event was an overwhelming success. It has since been followed by further webinars to address topical issues and challenges faced by the industry.
2021
In response to market demand for their innovative flexible sustainable packaging solutions, FFP purchased and installed a second state-of-the-art Nordmeccanica Super Combi laminating machine at their Northamptonshire site. An investment that will further increase capacity and provide unique UK manufacturing capability for the UK flexible packaging market.
2021
FFP are announced as winners at the UK Packaging Awards 2021 in the category of ‘Investment Project of the Year’ for their new laser system. They also receive a highly commended in the ‘Flexible Plastic Pack of the Year’ for the all PE Asda Chicken Thigh Packs.
2022
Constantia Flexibles acquires FFP Packaging Solutions. This milestone event in the history of FFP provides Constantia Flexibles with their first consumer packaging plant in the UK, forming an important part of the wider business portfolio. FFP Packaging Solutions Ltd subsequently becomes Constantia FFP Ltd
2023
Constantia FFP launch PP-Steam, a recyclable solution for microwave cooking that can be recycled by returning to store through the PP (polypropylene) waste collection stream. Applying the tried and tested valve technology from Constantia FFP’s own Estersteam packaging, PP-Steam supports Constantia FFP’s continued sustainability mission.
To find out more about us, please call us on 01604 798600, drop us an email at mail.ffp@cflex.com or visit our contact page.