PaperAge Magazine

Sequana's Deal to Sell Arjowiggins' Graphic and Creative Papers businesses to Fineska Terminated

Arjowiggins production Arjowiggins' Graphic and Creative Papers businesses reported sales of EUR 528 million in 2017 of which 61% comprised recycled graphic and specialty (i.e., laminated and transfer) papers and 39% premium fine papers and specialty papers (i.e., bookbinding and tracing paper).

Jan. 1, 2019 - Sequana on Dec. 27, 2018 announced the termination of the planned sale of its subsidiary, Arjowiggins' Graphic and Creative Papers businesses, to Fineska BV.

In July of 2018, Sequana announced the proposal to sell its Arjowiggins' Graphic and Creative Papers businesses to Fineska for EUR 125 million. The businesses reported sales of EUR 528 million in 2017, or 19% of Sequana Group's consolidated sales, of which 61% comprised recycled graphic and specialty (i.e., laminated and transfer) papers and 39% premium fine papers and specialty papers (i.e., bookbinding and tracing paper).

Arjowiggins' Graphic and Creative Papers businesses operates a total of eight mills located in France, the UK, Spain and China and employ over 2,000 people.

Sequana had hoped to complete the deal by the end of October 2018.

In a press release, Sequana said, “The negotiations initiated in July 2018 with Fineska BV (the Andlinger & Company group) for the sale of Arjowiggins' Graphic and Creative Papers businesses continued in an extremely deteriorated market conditions context, notably hit by significant and successive price increases in pulp, and to a lesser extent in energy.

“In this context and considering the lack of visibility for FY 2019, Fineska BV has stopped the sale process.

“Because of this decision, Sequana is reviewing the different strategic options to be implemented.”

About Sequana

Sequana is a major player in the paper industry, with leading positions in each of its two businesses:

  • Antalis: leader in B2B distribution of Papers and industrial Packaging and number two in the distribution of Visual Communication media in Europe with around 5,500 employees based in 41 countries.
  • Arjowiggins: Global manufacturer of recycled and specialty papers, with around 2,300 employees.

Sequana reported sales of EUR 2.8 billion in 2017 and employed some 7,800 people worldwide.

SOURCE: Sequana

Go to a related story on PaperAge.com:
» Sequana to Sell Arjowiggins Graphic and Arjowiggins Creative Papers to Fineska for EUR 125 Million - July 10, 2018.