Double expansion: AR Packaging acquires rlc packaging group and Nampak Cartons Nigeria

23 Jan 2020 --- Sweden-based AR Packaging Group has completed two significant acquisitions that expand its global reach and scale production. The company acquired rlc packaging group and Nampak Cartons Nigeria to elevate itself to a leading market position in the healthcare, pharma and beauty segments. The acquisition of the Nigerian operation is also an important first step toward establishing a footprint in the African market and allows it to serve its customers across three continents.

PackagingInsights reached out to the Group which said that it will not be disclosing financial details of the transactions.

Recently, AR Packaging also acquired 24 percent of the shares indirectly owned by the management of BSC Drukarnia Opakowań. Thereby the Group now owns 60.8 percent of this Polish company. The management of BSC will remain in its current positions as a valued assurance of the continued successful development of the company, the Group says.

“Until now, AR Packaging has had some business in the healthcare, pharma and beauty segments. The acquisitions are a good fit and a strategic move which elevates us to a top three market position in Europe. We now have a unique wide product offering with an extensive geographical footprint,” Ingrid Lidbäck, Group Marketing Manager at AR Packaging Group, tells PackagingInsights.

“We are pleased to have received full clearance on the acquisitions and warmly welcome the new companies in our group. This is a very important step in the development of AR Packaging, which will now encompass 28 plants in thirteen countries with 5,500 highly experienced employees”, says Harald Schulz, President and CEO of AR Packaging.

“The customers of rlc packaging, BSC and Nampak will benefit from our Group’s unique product portfolio, including multi-substrate packaging for a wide range of applications,” he adds.

All acquired entities will be operating under the name AR Packaging and the integration is in full progress together with the highly experienced local management teams, according to the company.

“As with any larger company in the growth phase, we continuously evaluate developments in line with our strategic plan,” Lidbäck adds.

Last year, the company launched the market’s first gas-tight pressed board tray packaging for chilled foods in a bid to replace plastic trays. With sustainability in mind, the company employed the expertise in barrier materials and pressed board tray production of its two subsidiaries CC Pack and Flextrus, to create an environmentally friendly solution that enables a product shelf-life of 18 days minimum.

AR Packaging has a comprehensive pipeline of new sustainable packaging solutions, covering anything from plastic-free packaging to optimized barrier solutions based on maximized renewable content, she notes. “AR Packaging is always developing solutions, considering the protection of the packed product and minimizing food waste,” Lidbäck concludes.

By Kristiana Lalou