Superfos (Vipperoed / Denmark; www.superfos.com) is to sell its US operation, Superfos Packaging Inc, to Berry Plastics (Evansville, Indiana / USA; www.berryplastics.com) for USD 82m. Superfos’ US business was established in 1986 and now employs 200, generating sales of USD 46.8m in 2008, around 10% of total company sales. The deal is scheduled for completion no later than the middle of February 2010.

"We have our biggest market in Europe and see significant future growth opportunities. Therefore it is a logical step to sell the American operations now in order to focus on further development of our business in Europe," said Superfos CEO Hans Pettersson. Over 90% of the company's operations are located in Europe.

IK Investment Partners (London / UK; www.ikinvest.com) and Swedish private equity group Ratos (Stockholm; www.ratos.se) acquired Superfos in 1999 in a buyout on the Danish stock exchange. The company’s structure has subsequently been streamlined and operations focused on injection-moulded plastic packaging. Ratos's holding in Superfos is 33%. The remainder of the equity is held by IK Investment Partners and the Superfos management.