Memphis, Tennessee-based paper group International Paper has acquired two Spanish corrugated packaging plants, La Gaviota and Cartonatges Trilla. Both companies will join the U.S. packaging, pulp and paper products maker on April 1, 2021.
Located in Griñon near Madrid near International Paper's recycled paperboard mill, the La Gaviota company with about 60 employees operates a corrugator and several corrugated and folding carton converting lines. The Spanish manufacturer will operate under the name International Paper Griñón.
Cartonatges Trilla, located in Valls near Barcelona, which employs about 100 people, is also equipped with a corrugator and several corrugated converting lines. As of April 1, it is called International Paper Valls.
Corrugated packaging is a strategic business for International Paper in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, where it has about 10,000 employees out of its 48,000 workforce. In the office and packaging paper markets, the group has achieved $2.7 billion in sales out of $21 billion in 2020.
"Demand for boxes is growing at a steady pace. And these acquisitions further expand our corrugated packaging business in the Iberian Peninsula, strengthening our strong position to serve attractive markets." said Eric Chartrain, vice president and general manager EMEA packaging, International Paper. "Both companies are well established. Their modern equipment and strategic location will allow International Paper to offer even more choices for high-quality packaging solutions to customers in the high-growth industrial, fresh fruit and vegetable and e-commerce segments."
In Spain and Portugal, International Paper employs 1,600 people and already has a recycled paperboard mill in Fuenlabrada (near Madrid), associated Carpa recycling and collection operations, seven corrugated packaging plants in Spain and two in Portugal.
