UPM Raflatac expands graphics portfolio with Metamark acquisition

UK – UPM Raflatac, a leading global supplier of self-adhesive paper and film products, has acquired Metamark in a strategic move to strengthen its graphics sector presence.

The deal, valued at £146 million (US$182m), marks a significant expansion for UPM Raflatac as it continues to build its global graphics business. 

Founded in 1992, Metamark specializes in manufacturing and distributing self-adhesive colour films, large-format print films, laminates, and wrapping films for various applications.

With approximately 185 employees and a manufacturing facility in Lancaster, England, Metamark brings a strong product portfolio and market presence to UPM Raflatac’s operations. 

Tim Kirchen, executive vice president at UPM Raflatac, highlighted the acquisition’s importance: “We’ve made a strategic decision to pursue global growth in Graphics, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions.

“This acquisition accelerates our transformation journey, allowing us to expand our scale and become a complete product and service provider in this attractive market.” 

UPM Raflatac’s graphics division has been expanding steadily, beginning with the acquisition of AMC’s graphics division in 2022, followed by the purchase of Grafityp in 2024.

The company supplies graphics solutions for advertising, signage, and vehicle wrapping, and Metamark’s addition strengthens its product offering and market reach beyond Europe. 

Phil Wild, CEO of Metamark, expressed enthusiasm about the deal, “Joining UPM Raflatac’s Graphics business unit secures a growth-focused future for our specialist materials.

“This acquisition reflects the value of our market-led innovation, respected product portfolio, and ambitious market and geographical expansion plans.” 

UPM Raflatac advances sustainable packaging solutions 

Beyond the graphics sector, UPM Raflatac is also driving sustainability efforts in pharmaceutical packaging.

In a recent collaboration with Corning Pharmaceutical Technologies, the company conducted a study assessing the sustainability and performance of its combined packaging solutions.

The study, conducted at UPM Raflatac’s North Carolina facility, evaluated the compatibility and durability of Corning’s Viridian Vials with UPM Raflatac’s Forest Film labels.

Additionally, it tested the PHARMAGLOSS and PHARMALITE downgauged paper options under various storage conditions, including room temperature, dry heat, tropical, and cryogenic environments.

The results demonstrated superior performance, with UPM Raflatac’s labels showing strong adhesion across different packaging angles and extreme storage conditions—critical for ensuring pharmaceutical safety and compliance.

Jessica Buday, Product Line Manager at Corning Pharmaceutical Technologies, emphasized the importance of such industry collaborations, “This study underscores the need for pharma suppliers to work together, ensuring that our solutions meet customer requirements while addressing the growing demand for sustainability.”

UPM Raflatac’s Forest Film label material stands out as the first International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)-certified wood-based plastic label.

Manufactured using bionaphtha from crude tall oil, a byproduct of the pulping process, it offers a biocircular alternative to fossil-based plastics.

Similarly, the PHARMAGLOSS and PHARMALITE paper solutions contribute to sustainability by using fewer raw materials and reducing overall material weight.

Complementing these efforts, Corning’s Viridian Vials contain 20% less glass than traditional vials, cutting scope 3 cradle-to-gate emissions by up to 30%. 

With sustainability and innovation at the core of its strategy, UPM Raflatac continues to expand its footprint in the graphics and pharmaceutical packaging sectors, reinforcing its commitment to growth, sustainability, and cutting-edge solutions.

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