The Sherwood Group
About us
Welcome to The Sherwood Group, a global leader in packaging innovation, with our main manufacturing site located in Nottingham, UK. As an award-winning, BRCGS-certified independent packaging manufacturer, we specialise in delivering innovative solutions across food packaging, luxury packaging and on-the-go food packaging.
Our commitment to excellence is driven by extensive industry experience, creative expertise and a comprehensive range of in-house finishes and services. Renowned for our innovative structural packaging design, our dedicated Smartcentre team develops practical, forward-thinking solutions that help brands stand out in competitive markets.
At The Sherwood Group, we combine modern manufacturing methods with digital prototyping and in-house pre-press capabilities to bring packaging concepts to life. Our BRCGS 'AA' certification, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards demonstrate our commitment to quality, efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Sustainability and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are central to our approach. We work closely with customers to review and optimise their packaging specifications, identifying opportunities to reduce material usage, lightweight packaging and minimise associated EPR costs. Through expert EPR consultancy, sustainable packaging audits and innovative structural design, we help businesses navigate evolving packaging regulations while achieving measurable material efficiencies and cost savings.
Explore our extensive product portfolio, from confectionery and luxury packaging to point-of-sale merchandising solutions, alongside sustainable innovations such as our Puracoat® technology.
Visit The Sherwood Group at Packaging Innovations to discover how our expertise in packaging innovation, sustainability and EPR consultancy can help optimise your packaging, reduce costs and support your environmental objectives.
Products & services
Puracoat®- a truly sustainable alternative to plastic and PE-lined food barrier packaging
Puracoat® is innovative food packaging developed in response to the growing problem of single-use plastic. Applied in line at the Sherwood Group’s premises in Nottingham, there are a range of options that can be tailored to individual customer requirements. Puracoat® is suitable for direct food contact and it can reach the maximum grease resistant test of “Kit 12”, verified independently by Smithers Pira. Examples of Puracoat® application include on the go food packaging, frozen food, bakery, confectionery and other direct food contact packaging. Features and benefits of Puracoat® Suitable for direct food contact An environmentally friendly, water-based barrier control Grease resistant to highest Kit 12 rating Verified independently by Smithers Pira Fully recyclable and biodegradable in line with BS EN 13432 Suitable for frozen conditions Microwaveable Flexible application levels to meet end use requirements Reduced turnaround time, improving speed to market Used in conjunction with biodegradable window films for an optimum sustainable solution
Chilango Puracoat® pack
The Sherwood Group has worked closely with Chilango, a UK based Mexican restaurant chain, to find a replacement for its bagasse trays and plastic lids, which were used to serve burritos, tacos, salads and nachos. Chilango was looking for a more robust, vibrant and iconic alternative for its packaging, which would enable them to tell their brand story, whilst being environmentally friendly, functional and maintain the food’s temperature during delivery. The company have unveiled a new, eco friendly packaging containing a sustainable barrier coating – Puracoat® – as an alternative to plastic packaging and PET-lined food barrier packaging. Developed by The Sherwood Group, Puracoat® is a water based aqueous coating which, when applied to any food-grade cartonboard, provides grease and moisture resistant properties, while being fully recyclable and biodegradable. “Puracoat®, used in conjunction with a natural, insulating Kraft board product, ensures Chilango products are delivered fresh and appetizingly hot with no unsightly food migration from the carton”. Applied in line at the Sherwood Group’s premises in Nottingham, Puracoat® can reach the maximum oil/grease resistant test of ‘Kit 12’, which has been independently verified by Smithers Pira. Chilango is the first restaurant chain to use Puracoat® for their food packaging; “We are very proud to be one of the first to have a Puracoat® barrier coated product, making our packaging 100% biodegradable and compostable. The move away from plastic is an exciting step for Chilango brand and plays an important role in building our commitment to environmentally friendly practices”, commented Sarah Haynes, Marketing Manager at Chilango, “the way the packaging looks is making everyone feel proud about the brand, and guests have noticed the improvement in environmental credentials on this packaging”.
Luxury Packaging
We specialise in manufacturing luxury packaging made of paperboard that’s suitable for a wide range of product applications, including Beauty, Luxury food and drink, Retail, Home accessories and Fashion accessories. We work with premium brands to help them create outstanding packaging that represents the exclusivity of their products through innovative design, materials and special finishes. We understand that brand owners operate in a highly competitive consumer market, and we continually innovate to help them deliver product enhancement and differentiation.
Frozen & Chilled Food Packaging
Providing bespoke, creative and responsible solutions to a fast-paced market, we continue to deliver millions of cartons year on year in to the chilled and frozen food sectors.
Food To Go Packaging
Delivering bespoke, creative and responsible solutions to a fast-paced market, The Sherwood Group are continually proud to bring innovative new concepts to market in the area of food to go packaging. Whether your product is hot, temperate or chilled, our team of creative designers can provide you with a customised solution to promote your brand and present the product with no negative recyclability impact on the environment. We produce direct food contact packaging: Sandwich and wrap packs Cake boxes Burger boxes Salad boxes Other fast food and takeaway packaging With a focus on convenience, ease of use, barrier controls, disposal and recyclability, our team can provide a full cradle-to-grave solution that will satisfy and balance both the needs of your budget and the needs of the environment.
Health & Beauty Packaging
We design, prototype and manufacture bespoke packaging for cosmetics, personal care and healthcare products. We understand the competitive retail and online environment and deliver packaging that not only stands out and is commercially viable, but is also sustainable while reinforcing the quality of your brand. We produce cartonboard packaging for: Cosmetics Skincare and bodycare products Toiletries Perfume Beauty gifts and sets Other personal hygiene products We work with a variety of materials and offer a wide range of special print finishes and applications that can add real value to your product’s packaging.
Toys & Games Packaging
We have over 30 years’ experience providing packaging for the games and puzzle market. We offer a comprehensive service including printing, mounting, die-cutting, assembly and packing to the originators and publishers of games, puzzles and flashcards. We can provide mounting of printed sheets onto base materials up to 2.5mm thick. We produce: Cut flush gameboards Large piece puzzles 3D puzzles Free standing buildings and figures Backdrops or shelf displays Flashcards sets Calculator dials With a wealth of experience in cardboard engineering, we are ideally positioned to meet your brief, budgets and delivery schedules.
Confectionery Packaging
We specialise in the design and manufacture of bespoke confectionery packaging We offer a comprehensive range of in-house special finishes and applications that can add real value to your confectionery product’s packaging, from window patching, foil blocking and embossing, to soft touch, UV, gloss and matt emulsion. We can produce: Chocolate boxes Easter Egg cartons Advent calendars Christmas confectionery gift products All year-round confectionery products Point-of- sale display items, including SOT (Stock on tray) Our confectionery packaging is produced in our Nottingham BRCGS certified manufacturing site. All our packaging products also adhere to the rules of Good Manufacturing Practices, exclusively using low migration inks.
Smartcentre Innovation and Design
Smartcentre offers innovative and cutting-edge product sampling and prototyping services. We offer: 3D constructional design from concept to cutting forme Smartbox cradle-to-grave packaging audits Plastic usage and PPT audits Graphic design and Print-ready artwork creation Sampling and mock ups Production Trials Our Smartcentre team have the experience and technical expertise to provide solutions to your packaging requirements or challenges. We don’t just put ink on paper. We are a creative, results-led team of packaging specialists with a track record of award-winning packaging designs.
Flowers Hydration Pot- Gold Winner at 2024 Environmental Packaging Awards
The project aimed to replace plastic pots used for flower hydration during delivery with an eco-friendly alternative. Bunches’ commitment to sustainability led them to seek a packaging solution aligned with their values. The Sherwood Group’s team, in close collaboration with Bunches’ technical and procurement department, developed a cartonboard pot utilizing Puracoat®, ensuring structural integrity and leak prevention while championing environmental responsibility. What sets the Flowers Hydration Pot apart is its eco-friendly composition, ensuring both sustainability and compostability. Crafted from KraftPak material, fully recyclable and BPI certified for industrial composting, the pot aligns perfectly with Bunches’ environmental aspirations. The integration of Puracoat® sustainable barrier coating further enhances its sustainability credentials, as it is fully recyclable and biodegradable in line with BS EN 13432 standards. By eliminating plastic pots, Bunches can save 5.4 tonnes of plastic annually, setting a new standard for sustainable practices in the floral industry. Bunches has expanded their sustainability efforts by implementing additional packaging improvements, including fully compostable flower food packaging and recyclable/compostable brown paper wrap. The Flowers Hydration Pot represents the latest addition to their eco-friendly initiatives. The Sherwood Group have won the prestigious Gold Award at the Environmental Packaging Awards 2024 for the development of the Flowers Hydration Pot. This accolade, awarded in the Online Retail category, recognizes our innovative approach to sustainable packaging in collaboration with Bunches.
