Guala Closures: Packaging Specialist Acquires KWK Kunststoffwerk Kremsmünster – Entry into the Pharmaceutical Closure Market

The Italian packaging specialist Guala Closures has reached an agreement to acquire the Austrian company KWK Kunststoffwerk Kremsmünster GmbH. KWK is considered an established manufacturer of plastic closures and precise dosing aids for the pharmaceutical and food supplement industries. With this transaction, Guala Closures enters the fast-growing market for pharmaceutical closures for the first time, continuing its diversification strategy into regulated and recession-proof sectors.

Founded in 1950, KWK is based in Kremsmünster, Upper Austria, and serves international customers, including leading pharmaceutical companies. In the twelve-month period up to June 2025, KWK achieved sales of approximately 18 million euros. The company has long-standing experience in developing secure and precise packaging solutions for the healthcare sector.

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With the acquisition, Guala Closures aims to expand its product portfolio, particularly with regard to tamper-evident, child-resistant, and functional closure solutions made of plastic and aluminium. These are also intended for future use in the pharmaceutical sector. Guala Closures' existing expertise in security and anti-counterfeiting technologies is to be combined with KWK's pharmaceutical competencies.

The previous owner and CEO of KWK, Manfred Habermann, will retain responsibility for the pharmaceutical division even after the transaction is completed and will report directly to Guala Closures CEO, Andrea Lodetti. The goal is to strengthen KWK’s innovative power and expand its international market presence.

The completion of the acquisition is subject to the usual approvals from the relevant authorities and is expected by the first quarter of 2026.

Guala Closures operates 37 production facilities worldwide, is active in over 100 countries, and achieved sales of more than 830 million euros in 2024. The company employs around 5,000 people and has seven innovation centers and over 200 patents. The acquisition of KWK marks a further step in the strategic focus on highly regulated, high-growth markets.

More information: www.gualaclosures.com, www.kwk.at

Guala Closures S.p.A, Milan, Italy

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