IPL merges with Schoeller Allibert to create US$1.4 billion revenue reusable plastic packaging company

IPL, a manufacturer of rigid-plastic products, announced it is merging with Schoeller Allibert, a manufacturer of reusable transport packaging. The proposed merger creates an international sustainable packaging producer with a manufacturing footprint in 27 locations across Europe, the United Kingdom and North America, and a combined proforma annual revenue of over US $1.4 billion in 2024. 

IPL mainly manufactures sustainable, rigid-plastic products for the food, consumer, environmental and agriculture sectors, largely in North America, with significant manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, it has approximately 2,500 employees across 16 manufacturing sites and reported revenue of US$822 million in 2024. 

Schoeller Allibert manufactures returnable transport packaging and provides related services, serving customers across sectors such as automotive, beverage, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, retail, and material handling, primarily in Continental Europe. Headquartered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, it has approximately 1,600 employees across 11 production locations and had revenue of €550 million in 2024. 

The merged company will be headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and led by current IPL CEO Alan Walsh.  

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. 

Mr Walsh said: 

“The future of packaging lies in sustainability, innovation and adaptability. This merger will allow IPL and Schoeller Allibert to combine our strengths on both sides of the Atlantic to meet that future together. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, we’ll not only enhance the way we serve our customers but also optimise the skillsets of both companies to build a strong, resilient foundation for growth.” 

Schoeller Allibert CEO Alejandro Cabal Uribe said: 

“Our combined strength in packaging solutions is well positioned to benefit from the tailwinds for the sector, driven by corporate sustainability ambitions and evolving regulations to improve value chains and reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste. We look forward to together delivering leading customer service and innovative global solutions.” 

IPL is owned by investment funds managed by Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (“MDP”), a leading private equity investment firm based in Chicago, and CDPQ, a global investment group. Schoeller Allibert is owned by Brookfield Asset Management’s private equity business and the Schoeller family. The new company will be 55% owned by the existing IPL shareholders and 45% owned by the existing Schoeller Allibert shareholders.  

Advisors 

Evercore and BMO Capital Markets are serving as financial advisors to IPL. 

About IPL 

IPL manufactures customized injection-moulded and blow-moulded packaging and rigid containers for food, consumer, agriculture, automotive, logistics and environmental markets. It is one of the largest packaging solutions providers in North America and the United Kingdom. Headquartered in Dublin, IPL has 16 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the US, the UK and Belgium, including two product-development facilities in the US and UK. It has approximately 2,500 employees and a global turnover of US $822m in 2024. 

www.iplglobal.com

About Schoeller Allibert 

As a European market leader with a legacy spanning 65 years, Schoeller Allibert has led the charge in revolutionizing supply chains with returnable transport packaging solutions that are both efficient by design and circular by nature. Headquartered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, Schoeller Allibert has a worldwide presence in over 50 countries, with 1,600 employees, 11 production locations producing more than 30m products annually. Its global turnover in 2024 was €550m.   

About Madison Dearborn Partners 

Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (“MDP”) is a leading private equity investment firm based in Chicago. Since MDP’s formation in 1992, the firm has raised aggregate capital of more than $31 billion and has completed over 160 platform investments. MDP invests across four dedicated industry verticals, including basic industries, financial services, healthcare, and technology & government. Drawing on deep industry and operational expertise, MDP works closely with management teams to drive value creation and operational improvement across its portfolio. For more information, please visit www.mdcp.com. 

ABOUT CDPQ 

At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As of December 31, 2024, CDPQ’s net assets totalled CAD 473 billion. For more information about CDPQ, visit cdpq.com, consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow us on X. 

CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.  

About Brookfield 

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) is a leading global alternative asset manager, headquarters in New York, with over $1 trillion of assets under management across renewable power and transition, infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and credit. Brookfield invests client capital for the long-term with a focus on real assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of the global economy. It offers a range of alternative investment products to investors around the world — including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private wealth investors. BAM draws on Brookfield’s heritage as an owner and operator to invest for value and generate strong returns for its clients, across economic cycles. 

Brookfield’s private equity business, which manages over $140 billion of assets under management focuses on driving operational transformation in companies providing essential products and services. 

About the Schoeller Family 

Schoeller Family is active in the areas of returnable packaging solutions and supply chain systems services with a special focus on sustainability.  The businesses have developed out of traditional roots from Gebrüder Schoeller in Düren (founded in 1799) and Alexander Schoeller & Co, Jülich (founded in 1880) and is now held by Martin and Christoph Schoeller and their families in the 7th generation.