BULGARIA – Smurfit Kappa, a provider of sustainable packaging solutions, has agreed to acquire Artemis, a Bulgarian bag-in-box packaging facility.
This strategic move will significantly enhance Smurfit Kappa’s presence and customer base in Eastern Europe, expanding its product portfolio and innovation capabilities in the bag-in-box sector while underscoring its commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.
Located in Shumen, Artemis specializes in food and beverage packaging, producing bags for bag-in-box products and films and caps specifically for wine.
Following the acquisition, Artemis will be integrated into Smurfit Kappa’s extensive European bag-in-box operations. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Massimiliano Bianchi, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition, stating: “We made this acquisition to boost our growth in the European market and expand our reach in its eastern region.
“By continuing to develop and invest in this plant, we can offer our customers outstanding product quality, high-quality service, and the wide-ranging global expertise of Smurfit Kappa, ensuring their packaging needs are met with the highest standards.”
With over four decades of industry experience globally, Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box is a European leader in bag-in-box solutions, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.
The company’s Vitop tap holds the top position globally for wine taps. Smurfit Kappa provides a comprehensive array of flexible packaging solutions for various products, including wine, juice, dairy, water, and oils.
This acquisition comes two years after Smurfit Kappa agreed to acquire Pusa Pack, a bag-in-box packaging plant in Spain.
Located in Onda, Valencia, Pusa Pack S.L. manufactures large-capacity flexible bags, ranging from 200 to 1500 liters, used for storing and transporting bulk food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other liquid and semi-liquid products.
Pusa Pack has been integrated into Smurfit Kappa’s Bag-in-Box operations in Spain.
In addition to strengthening Smurfit Kappa’s Bag-in-Box portfolio, the Pusa Pack acquisition has helped develop a robust supply chain and created market synergies.
Thierry Minaud, former CEO of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box, at the time said: “Heavy-duty packaging is evolving towards more environmentally friendly solutions.
“We increasingly see the trend of companies moving away from plastic or stainless steel intermediate bulk containers (IBC) in favour of much more sustainable corrugated solutions which have a considerably lower carbon footprint.”
Smurfit Kappa indicated that this deal would benefit customers in the retail and industrial sectors seeking bag-in-box solutions in different formats.
For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
