Page 56 - Plastics News November 2019

Business news

Canada’s packaging firm GELPAC Arsenal Capital Partners buys

acquires US manufacturer WBC Clariant’s healthcare packaging
business
anada-based high-performance packaging solutions
Cprovider GELPAC has acquired US single-use blown S private equity firm Arsenal Capital Partners
polymer film manufacturer WBC Extrusion Products. Uhas completed the acquisition of Swiss speciality
Financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed. chemicals company Clariant’s healthcare packaging
WBC’s manufacturing facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts, business. Clariant signed the agreement in July.
The value of the deal was estimated to be CHF308m
($313.59m). Following the acquisition, Arsenal has
rebranded the company as Airnov Healthcare Packaging.
Matthias Brommer was announced to take the position
of Airnov’s president and managing director. Arsenal
operating partner George Abd said: “Airnov is a
strong, well-positioned business and its products are
recognised around the world for their performance and
technological leadership.“The company serves a number
of growing industry sectors, including healthcare,
diagnostics and nutraceuticals. We look forward to
working with Matthias and his leadership team to move
the business forward.” Clariant’s healthcare packaging
will join GELPAC’s existing poly plants in Farnham, business reported around CHF135m ($136.76m) in sales
Quebec and Brampton, Ontario. GELPAC CEO Alain last year. Airnov produces anti-oxidation products for
Robillard said: “With this acquisition, we will strengthen pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and diagnostic markets.
our competitive position in North America. “By combining The products range from canisters, packets, integrated
the strengths of the three plants and by integrating our desiccant systems and plastic bottles with oxygen
respective R&D initiatives, ongoing innovations to the barrier materials. Airnov business has manufacturing
manufacturing process and procurement strategies, facilities in France, the US, China and India. It employs
we will offer the best performing poly solutions in the approximately 600 people.Brommer said: “We are very
excited to emerge as an independent company with a
market.” Institutional investors such as CDPQ, le Fonds new name, a strong leadership team, and committed
Manufacturier Québécois and Namakor have financially investors who will provide the support and resources
and strategically supported the agreement. Robillard
added: “We are pleased that they recognised the depth
of GELPAC’s commitment to the future of the company.
The addition of this complementary production capacity
to our comprehensive products portfolio will allow
us to provide our North American clients with even
greater value. “We look forward to working with the
new members of our team to reach ever-higher levels
of excellence.” Founded in 1956 in Marieville, Quebec,
Canada GELPAC provides packaging solutions to the North
American food, chemical and construction industries. required as we continue to enhance the products and
The company’s product portfolio includes paper bags, services our customers require. “We look forward to
multiwall paper bags and polyethene packaging. our partnership with the Arsenal team who have strong
WBC specialises in producing monolayer high-density domain and technical skills in the healthcare, speciality
polyethene and polypropylene films for its customers in materials and packaging sectors to help us create a
the north-eastern region of the US. true global leader.”

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