Our Heritage

Filtrona Tapes, now known as Supastrip, has a legacy of over 100 years, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of its customers. The company’s journey began in 1911 with the founding of P.P. Payne, its predecessor. A major milestone came in 1950 with the invention of Rippatape, the first tear tape, which positioned the company as a leader in packaging innovation. In 1985, self-adhesive tear tape was introduced for cigarette packaging, further cementing its place in the tobacco industry.

A pivotal moment for the company occurred in January 1992, with the opening of the Richmond facility, where it launched its signature product under the brand name Supastrip. This facility became central to the company’s growth, producing tear tapes for various markets, including tobacco, packaging, and logistics.

In 2013, the company was rebranded as Essentra, joining the filters division, and continued its legacy of innovation with the introduction of the Rippatape Halo, a paper-based, eco-friendly product in 2019. In November 2022, the filters and tapes divisions were acquired by Centaury Management Limited and rebranded as Filtrona Tapes.

Now, in 2024, the company has returned to its original name, Supastrip, as it begins a new chapter as an independent entity. The Richmond facility remains a key part of its operations, with Supastrip focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable tear tape solutions while pursuing new growth opportunities in markets like South America