Packaging M&As: iPackchem acquires Indian barrier packaging firm; Schütz takes stake in Bayern-Fass to expand partnership

French barrier packaging firm iPackchem Group has expanded to India with the acquisition of Mullackal Polymers Pvt., which makes polyethylene and barrier packaging for crop protection and chemical products. Terms were not disclosed and deal is to close end of 2021.

Founded in 1987, iPackchem makes specialised barrier packaging for crop protection and specialty chemicals customers. It has facilities in Europe, the UK, Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa. US-based private equity firm SK Capital Partners bought iPackchem early this year.

Founded in 1976 by P.K.N. Pillai, Mullackal has three facilities in western India, where it makes HDPE and barrier plastic containers, caps and measuring cups.

"We are extremely excited to partner with Ramesh and Karthik Pillai, who have built a high-quality and innovative business, and we look forward to accelerating Mullackal's growth under iPackchem ownership," said CEO Jean-Philippe Morvan.

"We will continue to aggressively pursue acquisitions in new geographies, including North America, to fully mirror our clients' global footprint," he added.

In other news, German IBC supplier Schütz is acquiring a minority stake in Bayern-Fass. Schütz and Bayern-Fass have been collaborating for decades in the reconditioning of industrial packaging.

Reconditioning IBCs has been a key component of the Bayern-Fass service portfolio since 1992. The close partnership with Schütz started in 2015, when Bayern-Fass became the first independent specialist company to be accepted into the Recobulk partner programme set up by the globally operating manufacturer of industrial packaging. Within this framework, the company adopted Schütz’s globally uniform process standards. As a result, the Schütz IBCs reconditioned by Bayern-Fass fully comply with Schütz Recobulk containers in terms of quality, safety and conformity.

They add that the shared goal is to further advance the closed loop economy model and increase the level of service and quality yet again – all in line with the philosophy of sustainability.

“We are very pleased to be taking this logical next step, building on our many years of close cooperation”, says Roland Straßburger, CEO at Schütz. “Acquiring this stake is another very important building block in our long-term strategy of continually expanding the closed loop economy model.”

Johann Eigner, owner of the Bayern-Fass Group, adds: “We look back on a cooperation that has been exceptionally positive, and are proud that Schütz is now entering into an even closer relationship with Bayern-Fass. Our customers will benefit from this as we will be able to take our performance to the next level and support them with even more comprehensive solutions for the reconditioning and recycling of industrial packaging.”

Founded in 1870, family-owned Bayern-Fass has around 300 employees and four locations in Germany. With an annual turnover of over EUR40 million, the company is the specialist for industrial packaging in southern Germany. The core business comprises the delivery and collection of industrial packaging, and reconditioning. Bayern-Fass also processes packaging components that cannot be directly reused for recycling.

Schütz is one of the leading manufacturers of high quality transport packaging (intermediate bulk container, plastic and steel drums), headquartered in Selters, Germany. Established in 1958, Schütz today has over 50 production and service locations worldwide with more than 7,000 employees. The total turnover in 2020 was EUR1.8 billion.

(PRA)

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