The world’s second largest BOPP film producer Taghleef Industries (Ti Group, Dubai / United Arab Emirates; www.ti-films.com) is continuing on its growth track. In the wake of several expansions – see Plasteurope.com of 31.03.2014 – the company has now acquired Derprosa Film (Alcala la Real / Spain; www.derprosa.com) for an undisclosed amount. The deal still has to meet the approval of both companies’ boards and is set to be completed by the end of April.

Most of the shares in the Spanish BOPP film producer, with nameplate capacity for 30,000 t/y, are owned by investor 3i Group (London / UK; www.3i.com). The remainder is in the hands of minority shareholder Baring Private Equity (www.barings.com) as well as several smaller stakeholders. Derprosa is considered to be a leading global producer of high-value graphic film, used for magazines, among others. Its key clientele includes the Spanish processing market. 3i Group announced that it put in place a new management that has restructured the business with a view towards international expansion, adding that Derprosa has introduced 14 new products in the last four years.

Commenting on the purchase, Ti Group chief executive Detlef Schuhmann said, “Once part of the Ti Group, Derprosa Film will have access to resources deployed on all continents and will be able to accelerate the penetration of a set of very innovative technologies.” Ti Group turns out about 385,000 t/y of film (BOPP, CPP, BOPLA) at eight global sites. The latest purchase will raise the group’s overall output to about 415,000 t/y.