Global plastic packaging manufacturer ALPLA Group has announced acquiring a majority stake in Moroccan company Atlantic Packaging.
ALPLA has also established a joint venture (JV) company, ALPLA Morocco, with Atlantic Packaging’s previous sole owner Diana Holding.
This expansion effort will allow ALPLA to contribute its expertise in manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) preforms for the regional markets in the Maghreb and Western Africa markets.
Apart from PET preforms, the new JV company produces plastic pallets through injection moulding and packaging films by extrusion.
All these production activities take place at ALPLA Morocco’s 12,000m² modern facility, located in the free trade zone of Tangier. The plant currently employs approximately 32 people.
Since its opening, ALPLA Morocco has almost tripled preform production through its investments in new machinery and two additional preform production lines.
The plant’s capacity has now increased from producing 100 million preforms to roughly 300 million units per year.
ALPLA Middle East and North Africa managing director Christian Fessler said: “Together with our strategic partner Diana Holding, we want to exploit the enormous potential of regional markets, open up new segments and contribute our expertise as a global system provider for preforms, bottles and closures.”
The two companies have already finalised the contract for establishing the JV company on 31 August 2023. The transaction has also received approval from the local antitrust authorities.
The companies have not disclosed the financial details and other terms and conditions of this deal.
ALPLA’s latest efforts are in line with plans to expand its presence in North Africa while gradually setting the course for growth in the Maghreb region to deliver affordable and sustainable plastic packaging solutions to the regional industry.
ALPLA is planning to expand this Tangier plant by adding approximately 20,000m² of additional operational space over the coming years.
Diana Holding CEO Rita Maria Zniber said: “Our joint vision is to be one of the leading suppliers of high-quality plastic packaging in Morocco and for Western Africa, and to offer innovative solutions.”
ALPLA also announced becoming the majority owner of Paboco, a JV between ALPLA and Billerud.
