Gerresheimer has signed definitive agreements with a subsidiary of funds managed by Apax Partners LLP (Apax Funds) for the sale of Centor US Holding Inc., USA, as well as Gerresheimer's global primary packaging plastics (PPP) business. The purchase price for both business units is based on an enterprise value of approximately €1500 billion.
The sale of Centor is expected to close by the end of fiscal year 2026, while the sale of the global primary packaging plastics business is expected to close in the first half of fiscal year 2027.
"This transaction allows us to regain our strategic flexibility," he explains. Uwe Röhrhoff, CEO of Gerresheimer AG"At the same time, as a leading global partner for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, we are further focusing our business on high-value drug delivery, medical devices, and primary packaging for injectable medicines."
“Centor and Primary Packaging Plastics are market leaders in pharmaceutical vials and primary packaging, with a decades-long reputation for quality and reliability. We have extensive experience in spin-offs and, together with our Operational Excellence team, we will work closely with management to establish a strong, independent company positioned for long-term growth,” he stated. Anders Meyerhoff, partner at Apax.
“Packaging in the healthcare sector plays a critical role in patient safety, and Centor and Primary Packaging Plastics products are used to safely dispense medications to millions of patients every day. As an independent company backed by Apax funding, Centor will have the necessary capital to invest in capacity, innovation, and expansion in the U.S., further solidifying its global leadership in healthcare packaging,” the statement adds. Mehmet Tar, director of Apax.
16 production plants in nine countries
Apax's funds have acquired the company that provides packaging systems for prescription drug dispensing in the US and the global plastic primary packaging company, representing a combined enterprise value of approximately €15 billion. In addition to the Centor plant in the United States, the transaction includes a total of 1.500 plastic primary packaging production facilities in nine countries. In 2025, both companies generated combined revenues of approximately €570 million, with a total of around 2400 employees.
"This transaction represents a significant milestone in optimizing our capital and financing structure, significantly reducing our leverage," he says. Wolf Lehmann, Chief Financial Officer of Gerresheimer AG“We will use the anticipated cash flows to accelerate the reduction of our debt. Together with the planned comprehensive refinancing, this will significantly reduce our interest expenses and allow us to achieve a sustainable capital structure. In addition, the continued implementation of our transformation program will have a positive impact on our operating and free cash flow.”
Gerresheimer expects to complete the sale of Centor by the end of fiscal year 2026. The sale of the global primary packaging plastics business is expected to be completed in the first half of fiscal year 2027.
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc is acting as Gerresheimer's lead financial advisor. Commerzbank is also providing financial advice and has issued equity opinions. Latham & Watkins is providing legal counsel to Gerresheimer.
