UK packaging manufacturer RPC (Rushden; www.rpc-group.com) is to acquire Astrapak (Sandton / South Africa; www.astrapak.co.za) for ZAR 1.37 bn (EUR 96m).

Astrapack manufactures rigid plastic packaging products and components using injection moulding, blow moulding and thermoforming technology platforms. The company operates nine manufacturing facilities in South Africa, employing around 1,100 people. For the year ended 28 February 2016, the company achieved revenues of ZAR 1.4 bn. Robin Moore, Astrapak CEO, will continue to lead the business as a stand-alone sub-division within RPC Superfos.

Pim Vervaat, RPC chief executive, said: “The acquisition of Astrapak represents an important step in realising RPC’s strategy to create a meaningful presence outside of Europe. Astrapak’s strong market position in South Africa will complement and enhance RPC’s existing operations in the region, an increasingly important territory for us, and also offers an exciting opportunity to develop a platform from which to serve the high growth Sub-Saharan African market.” The purchase follows just days after RPC's acquisition of Dutch waste container producer ESE World (see Plasteurope.com of 20.12.2016).