Austrian packaging and recycling business ALPLA Group has expanded its footprint in the UK with the acquisition of iTEC Packaging in Mansfield, taking it out of administration.

iTEC Packaging specialises in the manufacture of closures for the dairy and food and beverage sectors.

The acquisition will also expedite the use of post-consumer recycled material used in the closures while also offering an improved range of solutions with high recycled content.

iTEC Packaging’s business is also expected to increase the capacity and product range of ALPLA and help secure jobs at the site.

The two sides entered into a contractual agreement over the deal on 26 May 2023.

Both companies agreed not to disclose the terms and conditions of the transaction, however, ALPLA will retain iTEC's staff after the acquisition.

ALPLA UK managing director Jens Seifried said: "With our global know-how, with this acquisition we can increasingly offer the UK dairy industry sustainable, efficient and innovative packaging solutions."

iTEC Packaging fell into insolvency earlier this year and appointed Martyn Rickels, Allan Kelly and Simon Farr as joint administrators of iTec Packaging and its sister company iTec Packaging (based in Chester-le-Street).

Plastic container supplier Shalam Packaging Group acquired iTec Packaging's Chester-le-Street business last month.

In February this year, ALPLA began operating its first polyethylene terephthalate recycling plant in Romania.