Heidelberg acquires POLAR Mohr to enhance sustainable packaging

GERMANY – German engineering giant Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has finalised an agreement to acquire the technology, intellectual property, and brand rights of POLAR Mohr.

The transaction, expected to close in the coming weeks, positions HEIDELBERG as a leading systems integrator in the rapidly growing packaging market, with a focus on high-growth regions like Asia, South America, and the Middle East.

According to HEIDELBERG, the acquisition grants exclusive global sales, service, and marketing rights for POLAR Mohr’s post-press products, which are critical for automating and streamlining packaging and label production. 

The company plans to integrate these systems into its portfolio, emphasizing automation, digitalization, and workflow integration to boost productivity while reducing waste, a key factor in sustainable packaging. 

This move aligns with HEIDELBERG’s commitment to enhancing efficiency across the packaging value chain, ensuring eco-friendly production processes.

In a statement, HEIDELBERG CEO Jürgen Otto emphasized the acquisition’s significance: “This deal underscores our role as a full-range supplier in the packaging and label industry.”

“By securing exclusivity in a thriving market, we can deliver highly productive, integrated solutions. POLAR Mohr systems are pivotal in achieving this vision.”

The partnership between HEIDELBERG and POLAR Mohr, dating back to the 1950s, has been built on complementary strengths, with POLAR Mohr focusing on system development and manufacturing, while HEIDELBERG has managed significant sales and service operations.

Following the acquisition, POLAR Group companies, owned by SOL Capital Management, will continue to collaborate on developing and producing POLAR Mohr systems, ensuring continuity in innovation.

Dr. Paul Niederkofler, Managing Partner at SOL Capital Management, noted, “This transaction strengthens HEIDELBERG’s market position while allowing POLAR Mohr to focus on its core expertise in development and manufacturing. It’s a logical step in our long-term partnership.”

A recent update highlights HEIDELBERG’s broader strategy to integrate additional post-press technologies, such as those from Tecnau and C.P. Bourg, into its ecosystem, further enhancing its sustainable packaging offerings. 

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