Austrian packaging giant Alpla has announced the acquisition of Germany-based KM Packaging, a move designed to strengthen its injection moulding business unit, Alplainject. The transaction—terms of which remain undisclosed—is subject to regulatory approval by antitrust authorities.
KM Packaging, headquartered in Ubstadt-Weiher, operates six production sites across Germany, Austria, Poland, and the United States, manufacturing over 6.5 billion injection-moulded components annually. Its product range includes closures, caps, dispensing aids, and jars made primarily from polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). The company serves customers in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food sectors, and offers manufacturing in cleanroom environments when required.
The acquisition will see KM Packaging’s workforce of around 500 employees and its management team remain in place.
“At Alpla, we think of packaging in its entirety,” said Michael Feltes, Managing Director of Alplainject. “We create a competitive advantage for brand-name manufacturers globally with innovative, system-based solutions. Injection-moulded parts play a key part in this. KM Packaging, a well-regarded specialist in tube closures, caps and dispensing aids, is a perfect match for our concept.”
Founded in 1949, KM Packaging took on its current form following a 2008 merger between family-run companies Kutterer Kunststofftechnik and Mauer AG. The firm has built a strong reputation for both standardized and bespoke packaging components, offering solutions that can incorporate up to 100% post-consumer recycled content. Its portfolio includes HDPE screw caps and flip-tops designed for mono-material packaging systems.
Nicolas Lehner, Alpla’s Chief Commercial Officer, underscored the strategic fit: “The smooth combination of close customer relationships, technological expertise and a focus on sustainability aligns closely with our profile. The added know-how will boost our role as a leading developer, manufacturer and recycler of plastic packaging.”
The acquisition is part of Alpla’s ongoing global expansion strategy, which has included recent takeovers such as Egyptian bottle manufacturer Taba and Brazilian HDPE recycler Clean Bottle. In 2024, Alpla reported revenues of €4.9 billion, a 4% increase year-on-year. The company has also set a target to double its plastics recycling capacity to 700,000 tonnes annually by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to the circular economy.
