IPL and Schoeller Allibert have announced a strategic merger that will create a global powerhouse in sustainable plastic packaging, with combined annual revenues exceeding $1.4 billion.
The deal, announced this week, brings together two industry leaders in rigid plastic manufacturing and reusable transport packaging.
The merged entity will operate across 27 manufacturing facilities spanning Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America.
Dublin-based IPL, which reported revenue of $822 million in 2024, brings its expertise in rigid-plastic products for agricultural, automotive, environmental, e-commerce, fishery, food manufacturing and processing, hemp and cannabis, and industrial and chemical applications.
Schoeller Allibert, headquartered in the Netherlands with reported revenue of €550 million ($621 million) in 2024, contributes its strong presence in returnable transport packaging and specialized services. It serves the food and beverage, cosmetics, pharma, chemicals, automotive, retail, and industrial end markets.
“The future of packaging lies in sustainability, innovation, and adaptability,” said IPL CEO Alan Walsh, who will lead the combined company from its Dublin headquarters. “This merger will allow IPL and Schoeller Allibert to combine our strengths on both sides of the Atlantic to meet that future together.”
Alejandro Cabal Uribe, Schoeller Allibert’s CEO, emphasized the strategic timing of the merger, noting the increasing focus on sustainability in corporate practices and regulatory environments. “Our combined strength in packaging solutions is well positioned to benefit from the tailwinds for the sector,” he said.
Ownership structure
The merger’s ownership structure will see existing IPL shareholders control a 55% stake, while Schoeller Allibert shareholders will retain 45%. IPL’s current owners include Madison Dearborn Partners LLC and CDPQ, while Schoeller Allibert is owned by Brookfield Asset Management’s private equity business and the Schoeller family.
The transaction, supported by financial advisors Evercore and BMO Capital Markets, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending customary closing conditions.
The combined company will employ approximately 4,100 people across its global operations, leveraging IPL’s strong North American presence and Schoeller Allibert’s established European market position to create a truly international sustainable packaging leader.
Transport crate debuts
In April, Schoeller Allibert and Tetra Pak announced they have developed a transport crate manufactured from recycled beverage carton materials, marking an advance in circular economy initiatives. The new crate, produced using polyAl recovered from used beverage containers, was rolled out last month at the Plastics Recycling Show in Amsterdam.
Source: plasticstoday.com
