Ground-breaking sustainable pharma packaging firm Woolcool celebrated a decade of innovation with a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales.

The Prince visited Woolcool’s HQ in Staffordshire to learn more about the company’s pioneering use of natural materials in insulated packaging, before unveiling a plaque marking their tenth anniversary in business. Woolcool uses 100% pure sheep’s wool – which is biodegradable, recyclable and reusable – in place of man-made insulators such as polystyrene.

During his visit on July 19, The Prince – who is Patron of The Campaign for Wool – talked with Woolcool staff and met representatives from The National Trust and British Wool, who provide the types of wool used by the company.

His Royal Highness has championed the use of wool by industry since The Campaign for Wool was launched in 2010.

During a speech at the reception, he said: “I have been enormously impressed by the remarkable degree of innovation and ingenuity which is clearly going on in this country in producing fascinating alternatives to synthetic products, artificial products and man-made things.

“For me, having started The Wool Campaign all those years ago, it is important to remind people of how valuable and sustainable wool is as a fibre and as a natural material and Woolcool has taken it further by demonstrating just how important that material is.”

Woolcool specialises in sustainable, insulated packaging for the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods for the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Last year the firm received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.

Key customers and partners such as Gousto, Abel & Cole and Fortnum and Mason also attended last week’s Royal visit.

Company founder and CEO Angela Morris said: “The Prince’s visit to Woolcool was a wonderful way to mark our tenth anniversary and an event that everyone here will remember for the rest of their lives.

“His Royal Highness was very interested to hear about how we have pioneered a sustainable use of wool in packaging. He also took time to talk to everyone during his visit.”

Strategic Director Keith Spilsbury commented: “The Prince seemed very impressed with our testing facilities – where we put our packaging through vigorous temperature trials – and knew his facts about the challenges we face and the properties of wool.”

Managing director Josie Morris added: “The excitement towards The Prince’s  visit has been building for a while. Our Finance Director, Jessica, oversaw so many of the arrangements to get everything just right, but was unfortunately unable to attend on the day.

“We try to create a sense of community at Woolcool, both among our team and with our partners, customers and suppliers, and we wanted today’s visit to be a reflection of that ethos, because so many people have contributed to our success over ten years.

“I would like to thank everyone who joined us on this special occasion to help celebrate our anniversary. To mark this milestone among our friends, and in the presence of His Royal Highness, was truly memorable.”