Acquisition by packaging manufacturer expands reach in UK market

Alpha Group is expanding its reach as a packaging system provider in Mansfield, U.K., with the acquisition of iTec Packaging, which specializes in the production of closures for dairy and other food and beverage sectors.

"With our global know-how, with this acquisition we can increasingly offer the UK dairy industry sustainable, efficient and innovative packaging solutions," says U.K. Managing Director Jens Seifried.

The purchase is also supporting Alpha’s push to use post-consumer recycled material (PCR) in the closure sector and high recycling content in its complete products. The company said the acquisition builds on its work in the processing of recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) for its ultra-light bottle, Eco-Bottle (Figure 1). The packaging currently uses up to 40% food-grade rHDPE, but further developments could push the percentage of recycled materials higher in coming years.

Alpha said the former iTec Packaging plant in Mansfield, U.K., will provide additional capacity and product range, and the full plant staff was included in the acquisition. The takeover contract was signed May 26, and terms and conditions of the deal were not disclosed.

Alpha is a plastics processing and bottling manufacturer is focused on the reuse of plastic packaging. Around 23,300 employees worldwide produce custom-made packaging systems, bottles, caps and molded parts at 190 sites in 46 countries. The packaging is used in a wide range of areas, including for food and beverage, cosmetics and care products, household cleaning products, detergents and cleaning agents, pharmaceutical products, engine oils and lubricants.