Waste Management Company Rebrands As Papilo

Greater Manchester-based waste management and recycling services specialist Roydon Recycling has rebranded as ‘Papilo’ as it starts a new chapter in its journey to providing best-in-class service and supporting clients with their sustainability goals.

Papilo secured investment from leading private equity firm Palatine, being the second investment from its Impact Fund II in June 2023.

In its first year since investment, Papilo’s year-on-year revenue growth has increased by 25%, reaching £31.9 million in FY23. This is a result of its continued expansion across Europe, which has seen the Greater Manchester company begin operating five new sites in the Netherlands, and plans to work in Germany, France and Belgium.

In this time, it has also saved 128,000 tons of CO2 because of its recycling activities.

As a result of this continued success, Papilo has just signed a ten-year lease on a 4,620 sq ft office space at Lowry Mill in Swinton, a 73% increase in size. The move will see Papilo leave its previous offices at Junction House, where it was situated for 8 years.

Built in 1883, Lowry Mill is a former Victorian Spinning Mill which spent more than a century serving the textile industry. Staff wellbeing was top of the agenda for Papilo, with Lowry Mill boasting impressive amenities including a feature restaurant, fully equipped and professionally run gym, secure cycle storage and games room.

The move will support the long-term growth of the company, with the new headquarters able to support up to 40 full-time employees on site. Currently, Papilo has a 60-strong workforce which operates nationwide.

Paul Hodgkiss, CEO at Papilo, commenting on the rebrand, said:
“Papilo is a customized version of ‘Papilio’, the Latin for butterfly. It reflects our commitment to changing our customers approach to sustainability, a transformation into something beautiful and valuable.

“A unique word, with a meaningful story, this name straddles multiple territories, feeling at home as both a disruptive challenger, innovative partner and a sustainable leader.”

Papilo is a trusted partner for a range of blue chip FMCG, in particular food and beverage manufacturers across Europe, advising on waste management strategies to increase resource efficiency and support the circular economy.

In 2023, Papilo was carved out of the Roydon Group and CEO Paul Hodgkiss has led the company through the new rebrand. Since Palatine’s investment, Ian McAuley has joined as Chair and Impact Fund Partner James Gregson, and Investment Director Greg Holmes, have joined the board of directors.

Paul continued:
“Launching Papilo builds off the success of Roydon Recycling and the wider Roydon Group’s track record over the last 14 years. The team remains the same, just under the new name, with the same dedication to providing best-in-class service to our clients, whilst also highlighting the importance of best ESG practice within the company.

“Papilo marks an exciting milestone in our journey as a company. We have an ambitious growth strategy that has seen us relocate offices, increase the workforce, and expand across new countries in Europe over the last year.

“The new brand aligns with the ambition and impact of our team, clients and partners.”