Innovate UK EDGE has worked with Fibrestar Drums, UK’s largest producer of fibre drums, providing tailored innovation support for new product development, the creation of an intellectual property strategy ahead of EU expansion and facilitating access to investment to scale up manufacturing.

Developing an IP Strategy

Innovate UK EDGE initially lent its expertise to Fibrestar Drums to create a robust IP strategy which would allow it to harness IP created during the development of a new conical shaped fibre drum. In addition, Innovate UK EDGE assisted in the development of an IP strategy to enable commercialisation of the new product within the European Union. With the support of a dedicated IP attorney, Fibrestar filed a patent application and registered an EU trademark.

Innovation Support

Innovate UK EDGE assisted in the development of an innovation strategy for Fibrestar fibre pail. This included the identification of coating opportunities that would allow the pail to be used in its target markets and open up further access into the set liquid feed sectors.

Mindful of Fibrestar’s goal of entering into the growing set liquid feed sector, Innovate UK EDGE also guided Fibrestar through the optimisation of its existing research and development capabilities. An organisation-wide review using the GROWTHmapper diagnostic suite was conducted, identifying a number of innovation process improvements that could be made to improve internal R&D capacity.

Thanks to these advances, Fibrestar is working with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to develop a test programme comparing its new product against the industry standard plastic pail, thus allowing it to gain a competitive advantage.

A Thriving Brand

Today, Fibrestar Drums is a thriving brand that is continuing to develop and grow its highly innovative conical shaped drum. The company is working closely with Lancaster University to develop additional coatings that could see its fibre pail be used in more market sectors. The Fibrestar team is also receiving specialist advice and support from the CPI to develop a revolutionary plant-based protective coating which it will integrate with existing manufacturing processes.

A patent for the new product is pending and the Fibrestar Drums trademark has been registered in the UK and EU.