Packaging firm makes significant investment in renewable energy in Leighton Buzzard

Buckinghamshire-based foam converter and packaging manufacturer, Polyformes, has invested £150,000 installing solar panels at its Leighton Buzzard factory.

The business, established in 1977 and acquired by Macfarlane Packaging in 2024, expects the 250kW solar PV system to generate up to 25% of its total electricity requirements.

Emma Atterbury, General Manager at Polyformes, commented:

“Sustainability is crucial to our business and operations. Whilst we’ve always supported our customers with reusable packaging solutions, we are increasingly helping businesses switch to more sustainable options and align with forthcoming regulations.”
She continued:

” Although the bespoke packaging and foam products we produce are already durable and reusable by design, reducing demand for natural resources, the installation of the solar panels will also help significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated to our operations. The clean energy provided by the new solar panels will be a big step forward for us and will have a significant, positive impact on the overall sustainability of our business.”

The installation, completed earlier this summer, is expected to deliver carbon savings of approximately 41 metric tonnes per year – 1,032 metric tonnes over the system’s 25-year lifespan.

Since becoming part of Macfarlane Packaging two years ago, Polyformes has renewed its focus on reducing the environmental impact of its operations in line with the Group’s sustainability strategy.
David Patton, Head of Sustainability at Macfarlane Packaging, added:

“We’ve made strong progress across Macfarlane Group in several areas, including transitioning away from fossil fuels, making our operations more energy efficient and using our resources and tools to offer industry-leading solutions to our customers. This solar installation at Polyformes marks another important step on this journey.”

Polyformes currently employs around 60 people across three shifts at its Leighton Buzzard production site.
The wider Macfarlane Group comprises more than 1,000 employees and recorded sales of more than £300m in 2025 across the UK and Europe.