Frugalpac Unveils New High-Speed Paper Bottle Machine

The FBAM-2 system can produce 14 million paper bottles per year, over 5 times the capacity of the previous model.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:57pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Frugalpac, a UK-based sustainable packaging company, has introduced a new high-speed paper bottle assembly machine called the FBAM-2. The FBAM-2 can produce up to 14 million Frugal Bottles per year, more than five times the annual capacity of the previous FBAM-1 system. The new machine is designed for use at bottling plants and packaging sites to enable distributed manufacturing and reduce supply chain costs and carbon emissions.

Why it matters

The launch of the FBAM-2 represents a significant advancement in Frugalpac's efforts to provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional glass bottles. By increasing production capacity and enabling distributed manufacturing, the company aims to make its paper-based Frugal Bottles a more viable and cost-effective option for drinks brands and retailers looking to reduce their environmental impact.

The details

The FBAM-2 machine can produce up to 14 million Frugal Bottles per year, compared to the previous FBAM-1 system's capacity of 2.5 million units annually. This increased output is intended to help Frugalpac meet growing demand for its paper bottles, which the company claims have a carbon footprint up to 84% lower than standard glass bottles. The new machine also features multi-lane configurations to support both lower-volume and larger-scale production, and it is designed to be installed at bottling plants and packaging sites to reduce supply chain costs and emissions.

  • Frugalpac launched the Frugal Bottle in 2020.
  • Since the product's introduction, more than 4 million Frugal Bottles have been produced.

The players

Frugalpac

A UK-based sustainable packaging company that developed the Frugal Bottle, a paper-based bottle made from 100% recycled paperboard.

Malcolm Waugh

The CEO of Frugalpac.

Monterey Wine Company

A US-based company that is a partner of Frugalpac and will be able to assemble the Frugal Bottles at its own facilities using the new FBAM-2 machine.

KinsBrae Packaging

A Canadian company that is also a partner of Frugalpac and will be able to assemble the Frugal Bottles at its own facilities using the new FBAM-2 machine.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For decades, glass has been the default for wine and spirits. But it's heavy, energy-intensive and increasingly expensive to use and recycle.”

— Malcolm Waugh, CEO, Frugalpac

“What's changed is that packaging is no longer just a design choice; it's a climate decision. Glass is no longer neutral.”

— Malcolm Waugh, CEO, Frugalpac

“The FBAM-2 gives the industry a practical way to move faster, cutting carbon, reducing costs and producing bottles closer to where drinks are made and sold.”

— Malcolm Waugh, CEO, Frugalpac

What’s next

Frugalpac plans to continue expanding the availability of its Frugal Bottles through additional retail partnerships, as well as supporting its manufacturing partners in setting up distributed production facilities using the new FBAM-2 machine.

The takeaway

Frugalpac's investment in the high-speed FBAM-2 paper bottle assembly machine represents a significant step forward in the company's efforts to provide a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional glass bottles. By enabling distributed manufacturing and reducing supply chain emissions, the FBAM-2 could help accelerate the adoption of paper-based packaging solutions across the drinks industry.