Autobar purchased

Autobar Packaging Group (Lyon, France), which includes Veriplast and Autobar Rigid and Flexible, has been acquired by private-equity firm Sun European Partners LLP (London) for an undisclosed amount. Founded in London in 1957 as the Autobar Vending Supplies Company, the business expanded into packaging in the 1960s through a series of acquisitions. London-based private-equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP acquired the company in July 2004, and at that time, announced plans to grow the business in anticipation of an initial public offering.

Autobar reports annual turnover of €380 million, with 2200 staff spread among 15 production facilities in seven European countries. The company has extrusion form-fill-and-seal, thermoforming, injection molding, film, printing, and laminating capabilities, and it processes polypropylene, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene, polylactic acid, polyethylene terephthalate, and oriented PS.—[email protected]