TURKEY – Finnish food packaging specialist Huhtamaki is set to expand its position in the flexible packaging market with a US$483 million acquisition of Turkish-based producer Elif.
According to Huhtamaki, Elif specialises in sustainable flexible packaging and uses both post-industrial and post-consumer recycled polymers as raw materials.
Huhtamaki says that more than 90% of Elif’s current product portfolio is recyclable and that the range also includes compostable films.
The company supplies its packaging solutions to customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, serving markets including food, beverage, and dairy, as well as personal, home, and pet care.
Elif has manufacturing operations in Istanbul, Turkey, and Cairo, Egypt, and recorded net sales of approximately €163 million ($195 million) in 2020, according to Huhtamaki.
The deal expands Huhtamaki’s product range and technology offering, including new flexographic printing capabilities, and extends the company’s flexible packaging manufacturing footprint into Turkey.
It is also expected to support Huhtamaki’s ambition to have 100% of its products designed to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.
“I am thrilled to announce this acquisition. With a great portfolio, a strong focus on sustainability and high growth ambitions, Elif is a perfect fit for Huhtamaki,” said Charles Héaulmé, Huhtamaki president and CEO.
“Our 2030 growth strategy is particularly focused on sustainability and competitiveness, which Elif strongly supports. I look forward to working with Elif’s management to continue their success under the new ownership”.
Amcor invests in new innovation centers
Meanwhile, Switzerland-based packaging company Amcor has announced plans to invest around US$35 million in the development of two new “state-of-art” innovation centres to expand its global network.
Amcor says it will build the facilities in Ghent, Belgium, and Jiangyin, China. The facilities are scheduled to open next year, with the full expansion phase to be completed in 2023.
The new centers will feature customer experience facilities; advanced analytical and material science laboratories; pilot manufacturing equipment; and packaging machinery that replicates customer operations that helps to run tests without disrupting customer production.
The expansion will enable customers worldwide to access Amcor’s “material science expertise and packaging development capabilities”, said the business.
Amcor’s new innovation centers will join the organisation’s existing flagship sites in Neenah, Wisconsin; and Manchester, Michigan, United States; as well as other smaller sites worldwide.
In April, Amcor announced an investment in ePac Flexible Packaging, a custom flexible packaging solutions provider.
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