Rigid plastics products manufacturer IPL is preparing to merge with Dutch reusable transport packaging provider Schoeller Allibert to create a $1.4 billion revenue business.
Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the merged company will be led by the current IPL chief executive Alan Walsh. It will have a manufacturing footprint in 27 locations across Europe, the UK and North America.
IPL employs approximately 2,500 employees and mainly manufactures rigid plastics products for the food, consumer, environmental and agriculture sectors, largely in North America and the UK.
It generated reported revenue of $822 million in 2024.
Schoeller Allibert produces returnable transport packaging and provides related services for the automotive, beverage, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, retail, and materials handling industries, primarily in mainland Europe.
Production locations
Headquartered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, it has approximately 1,600 employees across 11 production locations.
It reportedly made €550m ($625m) in revenue in 2024.
The merged company will be 55 per cent owned by the existing IPL shareholders, with the remaining 45 per cent held by the current Schoeller Allibert shareholders.
The transaction is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.
“The future of packaging lies in sustainability, innovation and adaptability,” Walsh said.
“This merger will allow IPL and Schoeller Allibert to combine our strengths on both sides of the Atlantic to meet that future together. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, we will not only enhance the way we serve our customers but also optimise the skillsets of both companies to build a strong, resilient foundation for growth.”
Strength in numbers
Schoeller Allibert chief executive Alejandro Cabal Uribe said the combined strength of the businesses’ packaging solutions would position the merged company to “benefit from the tailwinds” of the sector.
This would be “driven by corporate sustainability ambitions and evolving regulations to improve value chains and reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste”.
“We look forward to together delivering leading customer service and innovative global solutions,” he added.
