ABOUT FLEXI-HEX

• Flexi-Hex is a Cornwall, UK-based company using a patented webbing technique to create protective packaging from humble Paper. Launched in 2018, the company originally began making protective paper sleeves for surfboards, and has since expanded to cater to the cosmetics, electronics, homeware and drinks bottle markets.
• The self-titled Flexi-Hex material plays on the construction of cardboard. Cardboard is made up of thin layers of paper which are spot-glued together. When lightly pulled apart, cardboard forms a honeycomb structure. Flexi-Hex magnifies this honeycomb structure to create a protective material that is flexible and said to be stronger than plastic. Created as sleeves – with two layers of honeycomb attached top and bottom by a slip of rigid board – it can be used to securely ship everything from Glass bottles to mobile phones.
• The company uses 85% recycled paper pulp mixed with FSC-certified virgin fibre to create Flexi-Hex. The product is lightweight and collapsible – with Flexi-Hex Air, made from tissue paper, even lighter. This reduces both shipping and storage costs, as well as environmental impact. All packaging is kerbside recyclable in the paper waste stream and is said to decompose in six weeks, dependent on conditions.
• The company claims that is has grown an average of 260% year-on-year since its launch, and secured GDP 1.25 million (USD 1.5 million) in investment from the CIOSIF and a handful of angel investors in February 2022. This is on top of the GDP 1.9 million (USD 2.3 million) of investment it had already raised by October 2021.
• Flexi-Hex packaging is manufactured in China because the company does not yet have the capabilities to make it in the UK. While distribution accounts for the majority of the company’s carbon emissions, it does caveat that when shipping globally, China is ideally placed to reduce shipping times to key markets such as Australia, Asia and the US.
• In 2021, Flexi-Hex sold two million sleeves worldwide. It is a growing small-to-medium sized business that says it will evaluate its impact throughout its evolution to ensure it has the smallest effect on the climate.
• The company is certified B Corp – with an impact score of 89.7. In May 2022, it achieved the Planet Mark for the second year in a row, having reduced its carbon footprint by more than 5% year-on-year, with an average employee carbon reduction of 41.3% The company was listed as one of the top 100 companies to work for by Escape the City in 2022.
• In 2019, the company was awarded its first patent, a grant from innovation agency Innovate UK, and investment from Sky Ocean Ventures. It was also the winner of the 2019 EcoPack Challenge.
• The company practices carbon offsetting with Mossy Earth – an organisation that works to preserve natural spaces and forests.