Linpac sells Australia-based Viscount Plastics

Viscount Plastics was acquired by Linpac in 2001 and served as a stand-alone division of Linpac. Operating exclusively in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, Viscount specializes in the design and manufacture of rigid plastic containers, food packaging, plastic materials handling and lubricant packaging to various end users and consumer markets.

Privately-held packaging company Pact Group designs and manufactures bottles, PET containers, trays, tubes, closure systems, and other customized packaging solutions for consumer products, as well as drums, pails, cans and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).

With more than 3200 employees, Pact has annual turnover of around AUD 1.2 billion. The company abandoned plans for an initial public offering in 2010 that was valued at around AUD 1 billion.

Following the sale of Viscount Plastics, the estimated revenue for Linpac is around GBP 700 million. The company is currently being advised by Rothschild on a sale process for Ropak, its North American division.

There are no plans for any further sales processes at this time, the spokesperson said.

For Europe, Linpac sees growth in packaging particularly in the protein, bakery, food service, and fruit and produce sectors. 

"In North America, Ropak's lightweighted, patented Diamond Weave containers, along with lightweighted lids and plastic handles, have growth potential," the spokesperson said. "These are already selling well in food, consumer products, kitty litter, construction products, and other market sectors."