Austrian packaging supplier Schur Flexibles (Baden; www.schurflexibles.com) is in exclusive negotiations to acquire French family-owned company Uni Packaging (Averdoingt; www.uni-packaging.com). The intended acquisition will boost Schur Flexibles’ position in both the dairy and fresh food business in France and the UK. Uni Packaging, owned by the Caresmel family, has a network of seven production sites and five logistic hubs, primarily in France, the UK and Austria. The French company is also a major player in digital printing for flexible packaging, which it regards as ideal technology for ultra-short runs with no upfront costs.

Schur Flexibles said it intended to leverage Uni Packaging’s strong market position in pouches, which are increasingly substituting rigid packaging across Europe. The Caresmel family would assume responsibility for both the pouch-making and digital operations of the combined businesses. The companies expect to sign on the deal within the coming weeks, although the transaction will be subject to both internal and external approval, including clearance from regulatory authorities.

Just last month, Schur Flexibles acquired several producers from the Clondalkin Group (Utrecht / The Netherlands; www.clondalkingroup.com), strengthening its presence in the premium packaging sector for confectionery and tea – see Plasteurope.com of 22.02.2018.