Plastic packaging producer Sanner (Bensheim / Germany; www.sanner.de) has acquired Plastina Holding (Basel / Switzerland), parent of smaller rival Jaco (Kirchheim / France; www.jaco.fr) on 18 May 2017, transforming Sanner into the global market leader in effervescent packaging. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Sanner, ranked number one in desiccant packaging in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, said the business combination with Jaco also allows it to enter new markets such as in the Middle East and Africa.

Jaco is one of the leading producers of printed and unprinted plastic tubes for effervescent tablets. "As a result of the merger, we have significantly strengthened our market position and have become the world market leader for effervescent packaging,” said Dirk Mähr, managing director of Sanner. In 2016, Sanner sales totalled EUR 63.7m while Jaco’s were at EUR 13m.

Operating synergies of the merger include Jaco’s expertise in printing technology and Sanner’s competencies in research and development. The acquisition will have no effect on employees and production, Sanner said. Customers will be served by the sites in Bensheim and Kirchheim. Jaco will retain its name for the time being. Its owners, however, have withdrawn from the business.