Amcor PET Packaging business renamed Amcor Rigid Plastics post-acquisition of Alcan Packaging

15-Mar-10

Amcor Rigid Plastics is the new corporate name of Amcor PET Packaging business based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The newly renamed business group is among seven operating units that were organized following the recent US$1.9 bln acquisition of parts of Alcan Packaging by parent company Amcor Ltd. Amcor Rigid Plastics consists of Amcor PET Packaging; Bericap North America, a plastic closures joint venture between Amcor and the Bericap Group; and the plastics container unit of Alcan's global pharmaceutical business. Bill Long, who was president of Amcor PET Packaging, will head the new business. The new corporate identity reflects a significant expansion of Amcor's product offering and reaffirms the company's commitment to the global packaging industry. The acquisition of Alcan's pharmaceutical rigid container business will complement Amcor's current plastics packaging business, which is recognized as the global leader in production of PET packaging for the beverage, food, and non-food industries. The Alcan deal moves Amcor into new applications, materials, and processes, according to Shelley Steele, communications director for Amcor Rigid Plastics. "The new company combines two world-class businesses and provides Amcor with a highly valuable entry into the pharmaceutical market," explained Steele. "Overall, it enables Amcor to offer a wider range of products and deliver improved service due to a better geographic mix of manufacturing plants." Alcan's rigid container pharmaceutical business is a leading producer of containers made of PP, PE, and PET for over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and other pharmaceutical needs. Amcor is also expected to benefit from Alcan's extensive processing capabilities in stretch-blow molding, extrusion-blow molding, and injection blow molding, along with strong expertise in multi-material processing. During the integration period, Amcor foresees no major changes for customers and a secure product supply is expected.