Alpla acquires Romanian PET preform specialist Star East

Packaging company Alpla has acquired Romanian manufacturer Star East PET, which specialises in the production of PET preforms for drinks, food and non-food products.

The acquisition will allow Alpla to expand its production capacity in Eastern Europe, with a product portfolio and customer base that complements its current operations, as well as improved proximity to its existing customers.

Star East Pet was founded in 1997 under the leadership of Dan Moldovan and has developed into one of Romania’s leading manufacturers of PET preforms for both local and international customers. Alpla has been involved in the Romanian market for a number of years and has identified Eastern Europe as an important future market for the recycling of PET. It will use its own recycling plant in southern Poland to drive forward the issue of recycling, and raise awareness.

Alpla CEO Günther Lehner said that, with the acquisition of Star East, Alpla was ‘gaining access to a strong distribution network’.

“Star East Pet is a good strategic partner, which will help us to achieve our targets in Romania and beyond,” he said.

The deal is expected to be concluded by the middle of the year, subject to regulatory approval.

Both companies have agreed not to publicly disclose the sale price.