The plastic manufacturing industry in Europe plays a vital role in the economy, providing essential materials for various applications including packaging, automotive, and construction. Companies range from large, established manufacturers to innovative startups focused on sustainability, driving the development of biodegradable plastics and advanced recycling technologies. As European policy increasingly emphasizes reduce-reuse-recycle, significant investments are being directed towards eco-friendly innovations. Notably, the sector is experiencing a robust shift to digitalization and circular economy practices, ensuring that manufacturers adapt to market demands while balancing environmental concerns and economic viability. This evolution calls for strategic collaborations to enhance efficiencies.


The list features a range of investors in the plastic manufacturing sector across Europe. These include venture capitalists, private equity players, and corporate investors. They hail from key cities like London, Stockholm, and Brussels, showcasing a notable geographic spread. The firms vary in size from small teams to large companies with thousands of employees. Founded across several decades, from 1958 to 2021, they collectively participated in numerous deals, including 57 investments from the European Innovation Council and 198 by Bpifrance in 2024. Their diverse investment strategies aim to capitalize on growth in this crucial industry.


Top 12 Plastic Manufacturing Investors in Europe


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding several companies in the plastic manufacturing space, such as Lactips, which raised funds for developing biodegradable plastic alternatives, and Gr3n Recycling, which focuses on innovative recycling technologies for plastics. Additionally, B4Plastics, another recipient of EIC funding, is engaged in creating sustainable plastic solutions. These transactions highlight the EIC's commitment to supporting advancements in the plastic manufacturing industry.


2. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through a variety of services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The firm aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions within the plastic manufacturing sector, including investments in Tecmaplast, Hainaut Plast Industry, and Lactips, which highlight its commitment to supporting companies that contribute to this industry. In 2024 alone, Bpifrance participated in a significant venture round for Lactips, raising over $16 million, further demonstrating its active role in the plastic manufacturing landscape.


3. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, that provides loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises. Founded in 1994, Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses through tailored financial solutions and guidance. Notably, Almi has been involved in several transactions relevant to the plastic manufacturing sector. For instance, they participated in a funding round for Novoplast, a company likely engaged in plastic production. Additionally, Almi invested in Biofiber Tech Sweden, which focuses on developing bio-based materials, and in GAIA BioMaterials, which is expanding its network for sustainable materials. These investments reflect Almi's commitment to supporting innovative companies that contribute to the evolution of the plastic manufacturing industry, particularly in the context of sustainability and new material development.


4. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a crowdfunding platform based in London, England, founded in 2010. It enables businesses, particularly startups and SMEs, to raise capital through equity investments, connecting them with potential investors. The platform emphasizes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services. Notably, Crowdcube has facilitated significant funding for companies in the plastic manufacturing sector, such as Fishy Filaments, which raised a total of $35932 in 2023, $310246 in 2021, and $277089 in 2017 through equity crowdfunding. Additionally, Crowdcube supported Flexi-Hex, which raised $1020841 in 2023 and $860636 in 2020, both of which focus on sustainable packaging solutions. These transactions highlight Crowdcube's role in promoting innovation and sustainability within the plastic manufacturing industry.


5. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, established in 1958, that provides a range of financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services aimed at supporting sustainable projects across various sectors. In 2024, EIB was involved in 99 investments, reflecting its active role in financing initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Among its notable transactions, EIB provided a EUR 435 million loan to Stora Enso to support its investment in renewable, fiber-based consumer packaging board, highlighting its focus on sustainable materials in the packaging industry. This aligns with the growing trend towards eco-friendly alternatives in plastic manufacturing. Additionally, EIB's involvement with companies like Evonik Industries and FAIRMAT further demonstrates its engagement in sectors that may intersect with plastic manufacturing, particularly in the context of sustainable practices and innovations.


6. Indutrade Life Science

  • Website: indutrade.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: indutrade-life-science

Indutrade Life Science is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1978. The firm focuses on developing and acquiring companies with high technical expertise across various technology and industrial sectors. Indutrade emphasizes long-term relationships with its customers and operates through a decentralized structure, allowing its subsidiaries to maintain independence while benefiting from the group's resources. Notably, Indutrade has made several key acquisitions in the plastic manufacturing sector, including PRP-Plastic Oy and Modul Plastic Oy in 2006, and more recently, Tecno Plast Industrietechnik GmbH in 2021, which specializes in single-use tubing sets and hoses. These transactions highlight Indutrade's commitment to expanding its footprint in the plastic manufacturing industry, making it a relevant player in this space.


7. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in a diverse range of investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing varied investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the plastic manufacturing industry, including the acquisition of Faerch Plast, a leader in rigid plastic packaging for ready meals and protein food trays, and the acquisition of Zeus Industrial Products, which specializes in high-performance polymer solutions. These transactions highlight EQT's commitment to the plastic sector and its strategic focus on companies that contribute to sustainable practices within the industry.


8. BloombergNEF

  • Website: about.bnef.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2004
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: bloombergnef

BloombergNEF is a research firm based in London, specializing in the energy and commodity markets. Founded in 2004, they provide strategic insights and analysis to help businesses navigate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Their offerings include comprehensive research reports, summits, and a pioneering program that identifies innovative technologies for decarbonization. Notably, BloombergNEF has been involved in several grant transactions with companies focused on plastic manufacturing and recycling technologies, such as Plastic Energy, Pyrowave, Genomatica, Lehigh Technologies, and Twelve. These transactions highlight their role in supporting the development of sustainable solutions within the plastic industry, aligning with their mission to promote decarbonization and innovation.


9. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm founded in 2011, based in London, England. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market by making minority investments and offering extensive support services to help businesses scale. Notably, BGF has invested in Prodrive Composites, a motorsport engineering company that focuses on carbon fibre composites, which are increasingly relevant in the plastic manufacturing sector. Additionally, BGF's investment in Magma Global, a manufacturer of carbon fibre pipes for the oil and gas sector, further demonstrates their engagement with advanced materials that intersect with plastic manufacturing. These transactions highlight BGF's capability and interest in supporting companies that operate within or adjacent to the plastic manufacturing industry.


10. Ardian

  • Website: ardian.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: ardian

Ardian is a prominent investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in private equity, real assets, and credit solutions. Founded in 1996, Ardian has established a global presence and focuses on sustainable finance, aiming to create lasting value for its clients. Among their notable transactions, Ardian acquired Revere Plastics Systems, a leading U.S. plastic injection molding manufacturer, in 2017, highlighting their commitment to the plastic manufacturing sector. Additionally, they have invested in Nutripack Group, which specializes in food packaging, further showcasing their involvement in industries related to plastic manufacturing. Other acquisitions include stakes in Weber Automotive and Italmatch Chemicals, indicating a diverse investment portfolio while maintaining a significant presence in the plastics and packaging sectors.


11. 3i Group plc

  • Website: 3i.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1945
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: 3i-group-plc

3i Group plc is a London-based private equity and infrastructure investment firm founded in 1945. The firm specializes in providing capital and expertise to mid-market companies, helping them grow sustainably. With a strong international presence and a diverse portfolio, 3i Group aims to create value for its stakeholders through strategic investments. Notably, 3i has made significant investments in the plastic manufacturing sector, including the acquisition of Weener Plastic Packaging Group for €250 million in 2015, which aimed to accelerate the company's growth through further acquisitions and expansion into new product categories and geographies. Additionally, 3i has been involved in transactions with companies like Mold Masters and Quality Synthetic Rubber, indicating a broader interest in the materials and manufacturing sectors related to plastics.


12. Mutares Benelux

  • Website: mutares.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: mutares-benelux

Mutares Benelux, a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, specializes in acquiring and managing companies in transition across various sectors, including automotive, technology, and retail. Founded in 2021, the firm has quickly established itself with 16 investments in 2024. Notably, Mutares has made significant strides in the plastic manufacturing industry, highlighted by their acquisition of MoldTecs from MANN+HUMMEL Group, which focuses on high-performance plastic parts and is expected to generate substantial revenues. Furthermore, their acquisition of Cikautxo Rubber & Plastic Components aims to strengthen their presence in the automotive market, particularly in Asia, showcasing their strategic intent to expand in the plastic manufacturing domain. These transactions reflect Mutares' operational support and consulting services aimed at enhancing profitability and growth for their portfolio companies in the plastic sector.



Plastic Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
Indutrade Life ScienceStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000197814
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
BloombergNEFLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020040
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
ArdianParis, Île-De-France, France1001-5000199621
3i Group plcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019453
Mutares BeneluxAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202116


Want to find more investors focusing on the plastic manufacturing industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the plastic manufacturingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!