The flexographic printing industry in the Nordics is an innovative sector focused primarily on packaging solutions and label printing. Companies in this space range from large manufacturing firms to specialized service providers, each working to advance printing technology while meeting sustainable practices. The sector is increasingly leaning towards eco-friendly materials and advanced printing techniques to cater to evolving consumer demands. As businesses look for smarter ways to package goods, brands are turning to flexographic processes for high-quality results. This shift highlights the industry's pivotal role in supporting sustainable sourcing and the circular economy.

The investor landscape for flexographic printing in the Nordics includes notable corporate and private equity firms. Headquartered in Finland and Sweden, these firms range from large entities like Huhtamaki and Stora Enso, both with over 10,000 employees, to smaller private equity players like Nalka. Founded between 1905 and 2018, these companies collectively made over 20 investments in 2024, showcasing a proactive approach towards expanding and optimizing printing technologies across the region.

Top 9 Flexographic Printing Investors in the Nordics

1. Huhtamaki

• Website: huhtamaki.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
• Founded year: 1920
• Headcount: 10001+
• LinkedIn: huhtamaki

Huhtamaki is a corporate investor based in Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland, specializing in sustainable food packaging solutions. Founded in 1920, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 people and has made significant investments in the packaging sector. Notably, Huhtamaki has acquired several companies to enhance its capabilities in flexible packaging, including the acquisition of Elif for €412 million, which aims to expand their product range in sustainable flexible packaging. Additionally, their acquisition of Ajanta Packaging for $15.5 million strengthens their position in the pressure-sensitive label market, which often utilizes flexographic printing technology. These strategic acquisitions highlight Huhtamaki's commitment to advancing its technological capabilities and market reach in the flexible packaging domain.

2. Trelleborg Group

• Website: trelleborg.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Trelleborg, Skåne, Sweden
• Founded year: 1905
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: trelleborggroup

Trelleborg Group is a manufacturing company based in Trelleborg, Skåne, Sweden, specializing in engineered polymer solutions. Founded in 1905, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 people and operates across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and marine. In 2008, Trelleborg enhanced its position in the printing industry by acquiring MacDermid Offset Printing Blankets, a US company known for its printing blankets used in the graphic industry. This strategic acquisition not only solidified Trelleborg's market leadership in Europe but also expanded its presence in the US market. Trelleborg continues to focus on delivering innovative solutions that meet the demanding needs of its customers, including those in the flexographic printing sector.

3. Altor Equity Partners

• Website: altor.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 2003
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: altor

Altor Equity Partners is a private equity investment management firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2003. The firm focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and sustainable growth for its partners through tailored investment strategies and digital transformation solutions across various sectors, including technology and consumer products. Notably, Altor has made significant investments in the flexographic printing industry, including the acquisition of TRESU Group in May 2017, a leading manufacturer of high-performance flexographic printing machines. This strategic acquisition highlights Altor's commitment to the flexographic printing sector, alongside their other investments such as Trioworld and OptiGroup, which further showcase their diverse portfolio and expertise in enhancing operational efficiencies across different industries.

4. Elanders

• Website: elanders.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
• Founded year: 1908
• Headcount: 5001-10000
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: elanders

Elanders is a logistics and printing company based in Gothenburg, Sweden, founded in 1908. The company specializes in integrated solutions within supply chain management and serves a diverse range of industries, including Automotive, Electronics, and Health Care. Elanders has made significant strides in the printing sector, particularly through strategic acquisitions aimed at enhancing their capabilities in packaging and print solutions. Notably, they acquired Schmid Druck in December 2015, a company known for its advanced packaging and unique print solutions, which aligns closely with flexographic printing applications. In 2017, Elanders UK further strengthened its position in the premium packaging market by acquiring Spreckley, an automatic stringing facility. These transactions reflect Elanders' commitment to expanding its offerings in the printing and packaging domains, making them a notable player in the flexographic printing industry.

5. CapMan

• Website: capman.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
• Founded year: 1989
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: capman

CapMan Oyj is an investment management firm founded in 1989, based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland. The firm specializes in private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and natural capital investments, serving institutional investors with diverse strategies aimed at achieving sustainable returns. Notably, CapMan has made significant investments in companies relevant to the packaging and printing sectors. For instance, they acquired Walki Group Oy in 2007, a company that produces packaging materials and solutions, which often involve flexographic printing technology. This acquisition highlights CapMan's engagement in industries that intersect with flexographic printing. Additionally, their investment in Norum and Cederroth Intressenter AB further demonstrates their active role in managing and growing companies that may have ties to the printing and packaging sectors.

6. Stora Enso

• Website: storaenso.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
• Founded year: 1998
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: stora-enso

Stora Enso Oyj, founded in 1998 and based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, is a leading company in the forest industry, specializing in renewable materials and products. The company offers a wide range of solutions, including packaging, biomaterials, and wooden construction, catering to various sectors such as food, consumer goods, and construction. Stora Enso is committed to sustainability and innovation, helping its customers transition to eco-friendly alternatives. In 2022, Stora Enso acquired De Jong Packaging Group for approximately €1.02 billion, enhancing its market share in renewable packaging solutions, which is highly relevant to flexographic printing. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for PulPac, which aims to replace single-use plastics, further indicating their focus on innovative packaging solutions that may utilize flexographic printing technologies.

7. Metsä Spring

• Website: metsaspring.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: metsaspring

Metsä Spring is a corporate investor based in Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2018. It is part of Metsä Group, a leading forest industry company that specializes in producing renewable wood products, including pulp, paperboard, and tissue papers. Metsä Group serves various sectors, including packaging, which is directly relevant to flexographic printing. In recent transactions, Metsä Spring has invested in companies like Fiberwood, which raised €3 million in late seed funding to develop and scale up production capabilities, indicating a focus on sustainable materials that could be used in packaging applications. Additionally, their involvement in other ventures like FineCell, which develops cellulose-based products, further emphasizes their interest in innovative materials that could intersect with the flexographic printing industry.

8. Ahlström Capital

• Website: ahlstromcapital.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
• Founded year: 2001
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: ahlstromcapital

Ahlström Capital is a private equity firm based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in industrial ownership within the Forest & Fiber and Environmental technology sectors, managing a diverse portfolio that includes investments in forestry, paper manufacturing, and real estate. Notably, Ahlström Capital has made significant investments in businesses that are relevant to the flexographic printing industry. In October 2022, they acquired the majority of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Decor business, which is involved in decorative paper products that may utilize flexographic printing techniques. Additionally, they provided strategic financing to Bast Fibre Technologies, which focuses on sustainable fiber production, potentially supplying materials for the printing industry. In April 2024, they participated in a Series B funding round for CleanFiber, further emphasizing their commitment to sustainable resource management solutions that could benefit the printing sector.

9. Nalka

• Website: nalka.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 2015
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: nalka

Nalka is a private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2015. The firm focuses on developing independent companies in the Nordic and DACH regions, providing investment management and strategic support to small- and medium-sized businesses. Nalka emphasizes sustainable growth and responsible ownership, operating with a long-term perspective. Notably, Nalka acquired Eson Pac on September 18, 2015, a company involved in the packaging sector, which frequently employs flexographic printing technology. This acquisition highlights Nalka's engagement in industries relevant to flexographic printing, alongside their other investment activities, including a venture round for Prototal in 2019.

Flexographic Printing Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
Huhtamaki	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland	10001+	1920	0
Trelleborg Group	Trelleborg, Skåne, Sweden	10001+	1905	7
Altor Equity Partners	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	51-200	2003	6
Elanders	Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden	5001-10000	1908	2
CapMan	Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland	51-200	1989	4
Stora Enso	Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland	10001+	1998	2
Metsä Spring	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland	11-50	2018	1
Ahlström Capital	Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland	11-50	2001	1
Nalka	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	11-50	2015	1

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