The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Italian industrial machinery giant SACMI has officially acquired a majority share in French packaging conglomerate Groupe Emballage Technologies, which comprises the operational entities Etpack, Sermatec, and Pactisoud.

The transaction, finalised on Friday, 19 December 2025, sees SACMI acquire a 65% stake in the group via its subsidiary, SACMI Packaging & Chocolate SpA. The move significantly strengthens the company's position in the secondary packaging sector and expands its industrial footprint in France.

Strategic Rationale and Synergies

The acquisition builds upon an existing commercial relationship established in 2019 between SACMI's Polish subsidiary and Etpack. The deal is designed to complete SACMI Packaging & Chocolate’s technological portfolio, specifically by integrating Emballage Technologies' specialised secondary packaging solutions.

Key Synergies:

• Portfolio Expansion: The integration allows SACMI to reach new industries and market segments beyond its traditional strongholds.

• Manufacturing Capacity: The synergy extends to manufacturing operations. The deal will facilitate the construction and assembly of flowpack ranges and vertical packaging machines (designed by SACMI) at Sermatec’s facilities, boosting the group's responsiveness to market dynamics for low- and medium-speed applications.

Operational Structure and Local Presence

Despite the change in ownership, Groupe Emballage Technologies will retain its managerial autonomy. This structure aims to leverage the group's established reputation and "far-reaching presence" in the French market, serving as a local growth driver for the wider SACMI network.

This aligns with SACMI Packaging & Chocolate’s broader international strategy, which already includes direct presences in Poland, the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), and the United States.

Paolo Mongardi, President of SACMI, emphasised the importance of the French market:

Pierrick Doux, who has led Groupe Emballage Technologies since 2007, commented on the future operational model: “Groupe Emballage Technologies will retain its managerial autonomy: a crucial aspect, in light of the excellent work done in recent years. Closer teamwork will facilitate the pursuit of shared strategic goals, helping to boost growth both in France and abroad.”