Accrol Leads the Way with Plastic-free Packaging

RNS REACH

12 June 2018

ACCROL GROUP HOLDINGS PLC

("Accrol" or the "Company")(AIM: ACRL)

ACCROL LEADS WAY IN PLASTIC-FREE PACKAGING

Accrol is delighted to announce it has become the first UK tissue converter to offer customers a plastic-free solution on all its products, which include toilet roll, kitchen roll and facial tissues.

The Group has worked closely with its supply partners over the last six months to develop a new, commercially viable and environmentally beneficial paper wrap packaging solution for all its products. Accrol is now offering this plastic-free packaging to its customers, which include the major discounters and grocery retailers, enabling them to help consumers reduce single-use plastic consumption.

Plastic packaging has become the industry standard on tissue products over the last 30 years. Accrol's move to offer the first plastic-free tissue packaging solution has been driven by high profile campaigns, like Sky Ocean Rescue, Ocean Recovery Alliance and Clean Seas, on the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Gareth Jenkins, CEO of Accrol, said: "Following numerous campaigns highlighting the damage caused by plastic waste, we were determined to offer our customers and, ultimately, shoppers a viable paper wrap alternative. This packaging is now available to all our customers. We are determined to lead the tissue industry in the UK and will achieve this by listening closely to our customers and reacting rapidly to their changing needs. I hope that our commitment to offering plastic-free tissue products and reducing the impact of the industry on the environment will encourage others in our sector to follow suit."

Dan Wright, Chairman of Accrol, added: "I am delighted that the team has been able to develop a viable and sustainable alternative for our industry. This marks a step change for the business, retailers and consumers."

Enquiries:

Notes to Editors

· Each year, 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced of which 40% is single-use, meaning it is only used once before being thrown away.

· More than eight million tonnes of plastic enter the world's seas each year, with most of that coming from land.

About Accrol:

Accrol Group Holdings plc, based in Lancashire, is the leading tissue converter in the UK, supplying toilet rolls, kitchen rolls and facial tissues, as well as other tissue products, to major discounters and grocery retailers. 

Accrol operates from three sites:

· A manufacturing, storage and distribution facility in Blackburn;

· A facial tissue plant, also in Blackburn; and

· A manufacturing, storage and distribution facility in Leyland.