Page 40 - Plastics News September 2017

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BUSINESS NEWS

BASF acquires Innoﬁ l3D ProAmpac acquires PolyFirst

Packaging
n a move to strengthen its 3D portfolio, BASF New
IBusiness, part of German chemical giant BASF SE, has
incinnati ba sed flexible pac kaging
acquired Dutch ﬁ lament producer Innoﬁ l3D BV. The size
Cmanufacturers,ProAmpac has acquired PolyFirst
of the transaction, which does not need approval from
Packaging that specializes in printed/customized roll
antitrust authorities, has not been disclosed. The Emmen,
stock and various types of plastic pouches and bags,
Netherlands-based Innoﬁ l3D, said that it will play a “central
PolyFirst provides new capabilities in cold seal and
role” in BASF’s production of ﬁ laments for 3D printing.
e-commerce products to complement ProAmpac’s
“W ith this
existing ﬂ exible packaging product offerings. Financial
acquisition,
terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition
BASF is moving
of PolyFirst provides us with cold seal capabilities and
one step further
several new bag and pouch formats.
along the value
chain and can Combined with our manufacturing expertise and
now provide award-winning printing assets, our customers will
not only plastic benefit from a more comprehensive service and
granulate for 3D product offering,” says ProAmpac CEO Greg Tucker.
printing but also ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Group Private Capital
the next processing level: the ﬁ laments,” said Volker along with management and co-investors. With the
Hammes, managing director at BASF New Business. The addition of PolyFirst Packaging, ProAmpac now has
new business will focus on establishing and expanding the 25 manufacturing sites globally with 3,200 employees
business with materials, system solutions, components supplying more than 5,000 customers in 90 countries.
and services in the ﬁ eld of 3D printing.Innoﬁ l3D produces ProAmpac primarily manufactures products servicing
high-value customized ﬁ laments (long, thin plastic ﬁ bers) the food, pet care, healthcare, lawn care, and retail
that are used in fused ﬁ lament fabrication. The company markets as well as providing secure packaging for
manufactures monoﬁ laments based on polylactic acid, PET the transport of cash and valuables. Initially called
and ABS, as well as a range based on recycled ﬁ lament Advanced Bag, PolyFirst Packaging was founded in
material. It also supplies specials — customized products 1999 in Jackson, Wisconsin. The business will become
offering properties such as more ﬂ exibility or water
solubility — and high-performance ﬁ laments targeted at
the professional user.
The acquisition follows a July 28 announcement by BASF
of plans to set up BASF 3D Printing Solutions in Heidelberg,
Germany.Hammes described the purchases as “another
part of the ProAmpac brand and operate as a part of
important step in strengthening our 3D business.”
the US Flexibles Division. Steve Randazzo, former
Innoﬁ l3D will continue its current business activities
chief executive ofﬁ cer of PolyFirst Packaging, will
and will also become a development and production
lead operations at both PolyFirst facilities in Hartford,
platform for ﬁ laments. “Innoﬁ l3D’s well-ﬁ lled product
pipeline in combination with BASF’s plans to develop high- WI and Aurora, IL. Michael Nelson, Pritzker Group
performance ﬁ laments will form an important foundation Private Capital investment partner, says, “PolyFirst
of BASF’s solutions for layered 3D printing,” Hammes is a strategic acquisition that expands ProAmpac’s
said. BASF is planning to establish a new group company, already robust product offering. We will continue to
BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH, as of Sept. 1 to advance support ProAmpac with acquisitions that add value for
its 3D printing ambitions. This wholly-owned subsidiary their customers and support their growth initiatives
of BASF New Business GmbH will be headquartered in in strategic markets.”
Heidelberg at the site of InnovationLab GmbH.
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