The future of the European operations of US protective packaging producer Pregis (Deerfield, Illinois; www.pregis.com) has been decided. After the group’s North American activities were acquired by private equity fund Olympus Partners (Stamford, Connecticut; www.olympuspartners.com) at the end of April (see Plasteurope.com of 28.04.2014), the European business is now in the hands of Italian protective packaging producer Airpack (Lodi). Financial details were not disclosed.

The Italian group, which specialises in bubble and foam packaging, in 2012 purchased Pregis’ Italian operations, and considers the latest deal – which comprises operations in the UK, Belgium, Germany, Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary – as part of its strategy to increase its European footprint. The plants purchased engage in foam and bubble extrusion as well as the production of engineered foam and mailers.

Commenting on the acquisition, Airpack managing director Sergio Folli said, “We are pleased to be able to reunite the Italian business unit with the rest of the European operations. We now will have the support of more than 1,000 employees who will assist us in providing protective packaging solutions to the United Kingdom and across the entire European continent.”