THE WHAT? Gerresheimer has agreed to sell its Centor business and global Primary Packaging Plastics (PPP) division to Apax Funds in a transaction valued at approximately €1.5 billion, as the company sharpens its focus on pharmaceutical drug delivery and medical devices.
THE DETAILS The transaction includes 16 production sites across nine countries and approximately 2,400 employees. Together, the two businesses generated around €570 million in revenue during 2025. The sale comprises Centor, which supplies prescription drug dispensing systems in the US, and Gerresheimer’s global primary plastic pharmaceutical packaging operations. The Centor transaction is expected to complete by the end of financial year 2026, while the Primary Packaging Plastics business is expected to close during the first half of financial year 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Gerresheimer said the proceeds will be used to reduce debt, strengthen its balance sheet and support its strategic transformation towards higher-value pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery systems.
THE WHY? The divestment reflects the ongoing portfolio optimisation taking place across the healthcare packaging sector, with companies focusing investment on higher-margin, technology-driven businesses. For pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging suppliers, the transaction also highlights continued investor interest in specialised primary packaging assets and the growing strategic value of healthcare packaging businesses.
Source: Gerresheimer
