TOPPAN (TYO: 7911) subsidiary InterFlex Group, a global flexible packaging supplier and converter, has completed the acquisition of Skymark Packaging International (Skymark), an innovative manufacturer of flexible packaging across Europe. With the acquisition of Skymark, InterFlex Group and TOPPAN expand their growing presence in the UK and the EU as well as extending their reach in food, converter films and non-food segments.
Headquartered in Scunthorpe, UK, Skymark has a strong commitment to developing and promoting sustainable packaging solutions. Its diverse portfolio of sustainable flexible packaging products includes a wide range of specialty blown, flat cast and embossed PE and PP films. This acquisition enables TOPPAN to expand its service to a wider array of customers across Europe, offering them high-quality and innovative flexible packaging solutions.
Masahiko Tatewaki, Managing Executive Officer and Head of Global Packaging at TOPPAN, said, “We are very excited to welcome the talented Skymark team to the TOPPAN Group. TOPPAN acquired InterFlex Group in July 2021 and will start production of GL BARRIER1 in the Czech Republic at the end of 2024. This acquisition enables us to maximize synergies in the TOPPAN Group with its global footprint and accelerates expansion of our global packaging business. Skymark's blown and cast extrusion capabilities also allow us to strengthen vertical integration, our core business strategy.”
Graham Tilley, Managing Director of InterFlex Group, added, “Skymark’s capabilities in film manufacturing and merging of their strength in non-food segments such as personal care, hygiene and medical products complement InterFlex Group’s position in food packaging. The combination of Skymark and InterFlex Group will help drive our sustainable packaging ambitions in mono-polymer and paper-based packaging and bring both further business development and growth.”
John Turner, Founder and Managing Director of Skymark, said, “We are thrilled to join the TOPPAN family and align our innovative sustainable packaging solutions with a global leader in the industry. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Skymark, enabling us to leverage TOPPAN's extensive resources and technological prowess. We remain deeply committed to our current sectors, within personal care, technical films, hygiene and medical; while also being very excited to accelerate our growth within the food sector through the synergies that this acquisition brings.”
1. GL BARRIER
GL BARRIER is TOPPAN’s proprietary brand of barrier products centered on GL FILM, a transparent film that delivers world-class barrier performance. GL FILM’s stable performance is enabled by a multi-layer structure combining a unique coating layer with a high-quality vapor-deposited layer. In recognition of their numerous outstanding features, GL BARRIER products are used in a wide variety of fields, including the food, medical/pharmaceutical, and industrial materials sectors.
