Gerresheimer has agreed to sell its Centor subsidiary and global Primary Packaging Plastics business to funds advised by private equity firm Apax Partners, valuing the operations at approximately EUR 1.5bn.
The transaction will give Apax control of Centor’s production site in the US and 15 additional plants manufacturing plastic primary packaging across nine countries. The two businesses generated combined revenue of approximately EUR 570m in 2025 and employ around 2,400 people.
Gerresheimer said the proceeds would be used to reduce its leverage and strengthen its capital and financing structure. The disposal forms part of the pharmaceutical packaging group’s efforts to improve its balance sheet and focus its portfolio on higher-value drug delivery systems, medical devices and primary packaging for injectable medicines.
The Centor transaction is expected to close by the end of Gerresheimer’s 2026 financial year. Completion of the Primary Packaging Plastics sale is scheduled for the first half of financial year 2027.
The two transactions are subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions and will be completed independently of one another. The companies have not disclosed further financial terms.
Centor manufactures plastic vials and closures for prescription medicines supplied through the US retail pharmacy market. Gerresheimer acquired the company in 2015 for USD 725m.
The wider Primary Packaging Plastics operation produces plastic containers and closure systems for solid and liquid pharmaceuticals. Following completion, the businesses are expected to operate as a standalone company under Apax ownership.
Gerresheimer had initially announced the launch of a sale process for Centor in February 2026 as part of measures intended to improve its capital structure. The company subsequently said in June that completing the disposal and refinancing its debt were among its principal priorities for the financial year.
