Pouch Partners, which is owned by holding company Capri Sun Group, has acquired family-run films manufacturer Porta Imballaggi Flessibili (Brunello / Italy) in its entirety for an undisclosed sum. Among other things, Porta produces PA, PE, PET and PP films, as well as aluminium and paper film laminates for the food, beverages, cosmetics and chemicals markets. In addition to this, Porta also manufactures bag-in-box packs in plastic. The Italian company is a long-standing films supplier to Pouch Partners.

According to Capri Sun's owner Hans-Peter Wild, the group intends to double its revenue from both drinks and the machine and pouch production activities centred on Pouch Partners over the next five years. Sales in 2016 are said to be some EUR 1.4 bn. "Our aim is to become the world's biggest expert for pouch packs by combining our pouch machines with the supply of films and pre-made pouches," explains Capri Sun CEO Roland Weening. Further acquisitions are likely.

Pouch Partners – under the leadership of Dirk Hejnal since the start of this year – comprises pouch production as well as construction of filling systems and pouch-making machines by Indag (Eppelheim / Germany; www.pouch-indag.com). The company Porta managed by Gianluca Tonini also forms part of Pouch Partners. The latter supplies corresponding packaging not only to Capri Sun, but also to other companies in the food, animal feed and beverage industries.