The US-foods and consumer goods producer, Borden Inc. (HQ: 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215-3799, USA), wants to sell its worldwide packaging interests. According to a statement from the company this involves 27 plants in 12 countries which had an annual turnover of $ 625m in 1995. Amongst other things this will include the "Resinite" and "Proponite" (flexible film) business in North America, flexible and rigid plastics packaging in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as flexible film operations in Asia and the Pacific region. Morgan Stanley & Co have been appointed to undertake the sale. Borden is owned by the investment company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. In the USA Borden are primarily involved in food products and the sale is seen as a move to focus on its core business. As of 1st January 1996 the packaging group has been renamed Borden Global Packaging.

The European operations of Borden consists of two divisions. The Rigid Plastics Group (European HQ: Colley Lane Industrial Estate, Bridgwater, GB-Somerset TA6 5LA) operates four plants, two in the UK and two in the Netherlands. Its range of products include "Ovenex" high performance food trays for ready meals. The Flexible Plastics Group (European HQ: North Baddesley, GB-Southampton SO5 9ZB ) manufactures PVC cling film, PE stretch film and OPP packaging films. It operates plants in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and the UK.