Strategic divestment allows German packaging company to reduce debt and focus on pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery solutions
German healthcare and packaging company Gerresheimer has agreed to sell two of its plastic packaging businesses to private equity firm Apax Funds in a transaction valued at approximately $1.7 billion, including debt. The deal marks a strategic shift as Gerresheimer focuses more strongly on pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery technologies.
The transaction includes Gerresheimer’s U.S.-based Centor business and its global Primary Packaging Plastics operations. Together, the businesses generated around €570 million in revenue last year and include approximately 2,400 employees across multiple production locations worldwide.
Gerresheimer said the divestment will help strengthen its financial position by reducing debt and improving its capital structure. The company plans to continue concentrating on high-value healthcare applications, including pharmaceutical primary packaging, containment solutions, and advanced drug delivery systems.
The sale of Centor and the plastic packaging division follows Gerresheimer’s broader portfolio optimisation strategy. The company has historically expanded its pharmaceutical packaging capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of businesses focused on plastic containers, closures, and drug packaging solutions.
The divested plastic packaging operations serve a wide range of markets, including healthcare, consumer products, and industrial applications. The transition under Apax ownership is expected to provide new opportunities for investment, operational growth, and market expansion for the businesses.
Industry analysts view the transaction as part of a wider trend in the packaging sector, where companies are restructuring portfolios and focusing investments on specialised, higher-margin segments. Demand for pharmaceutical packaging continues to grow globally due to increasing healthcare needs, advanced drug delivery systems, and rising requirements for safe and reliable packaging solutions.