Antalis S.A.S., a subsidiary of Kokusai Pulp & Paper Group Holdings, has agreed to acquire nine Papyrus Group companies in Switzerland, Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic states, plus German paper wholesale assets, from Optigroup. The acquired business generated sales of about EUR 215m in fiscal 2025 and serves more than 13,000 customers, with the undisclosed price below 15 percent of Kokusai Pulp & Paper's consolidated net assets as of end-March 2026. Closing is expected between 20 December 2026 and 31 March 2027, subject to antitrust clearance in several European countries.
Why this mattersAdds roughly EUR 215m of sales and 13,000 customers to Antalis while Optigroup exits Swiss, CEE and Baltic paper wholesale, leaving fewer independent distributors in those markets.
- Acquired business recorded sales of approximately EUR 215m in fiscal year 2025.
- Customer base of the acquired business exceeds 13,000.
- Nine companies in Switzerland, CEE and the Baltics are being acquired via full share purchase, plus German wholesale paper assets.
- Deal price is undisclosed but under 15 percent of Kokusai Pulp & Paper's consolidated net assets as of 31 March 2026.
- Closing is expected between 20 December 2026 and 31 March 2027.
- The sale requires antitrust approval in some European countries.
- OptiGroup and Antalis have signed a binding agreement for the divestment, up from a prior agreement to acquire.
- OptiGroup retains its Papyrus and Scaldia businesses in the Benelux countries and the Nordics.
- Antalis plans to combine the acquired business with its existing subsidiaries in each of the ten countries.
Antalis, part of Japan's Kokusai Pulp & Paper Group, has signed a binding agreement to acquire Papyrus' paper distribution operations in Germany, Switzerland and eight Central and Eastern European countries. The businesses generated combined net sales of around EUR 215m in 2025 and employ 255 people; completion is subject to customary conditions and antitrust clearance.
Why this mattersThe deal consolidates paper and packaging distribution across Central and Eastern Europe, reducing the number of independent merchants serving printers and office-paper customers in the region.
- Antalis and Papyrus have signed a binding agreement covering operations in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
- The acquired businesses generated combined net sales of around EUR 215m in 2025 and employ 255 people.
- No purchase price was disclosed; completion requires customary closing conditions and clearance by the relevant European competition authorities.
- Combined operations will serve more than 13,000 customers with around 21,000 products, mainly printing and office papers, from 12 warehouse locations.
- Antalis belongs to Japan's Kokusai Pulp & Paper Group, which reports annual sales of around EUR 4.1bn; Antalis employs around 4,300 people in 34 countries.
- Seller Optigroup generated net sales of EUR 1.42bn in 2025 and retains the Papyrus and Scaldia operations in the Benelux, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
- OptiGroup CEO Niklas Berntsson said the sale follows a strategic review of the group's business.
- OptiGroup CEO Niklas Berntsson said the sale of the Papyrus paper wholesale business followed a strategic review.
Kokusai Pulp & Paper, a Japanese paper wholesaler under KPP Group Holdings, has acquired all shares in Chugai Photo & Chemical Co., Ltd. and six other Chugai Group companies. The acquisition brings Chugai's inkjet media, large-format printer, ink and photographic chemicals business into Kokusai's visual communication unit, along with Chugai's 50% stake in Ilford Imaging Europe GmbH. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Why this mattersThe deal broadens a paper distributor's reach into visual communication and photographic media, consolidating procurement and customer scale in that adjacent segment.
- Kokusai Pulp & Paper acquires all shares in Chugai Photo & Chemical Co., Ltd. and six other group companies
- The deal expands Kokusai Pulp & Paper's visual communication business within its Northeast Asia (Japan) segment
- Chugai Group distributes inkjet media, large-format printers, inks and printing media, and manufactures photographic chemicals
- Chugai Group holds a 50% equity interest in Ilford Imaging Europe GmbH, owner of the Ilford photography trademark
- Gleiss Lutz advised Kokusai Pulp & Paper on the German aspects of the transaction, led by partners Michael Burian and Torsten Spiegel
- Deal value was not disclosed
Antalis Packaging has opened a new Smart Packaging Centre at its head office in Leicestershire, UK, relocating and consolidating sourcing, packaging design, testing and prototyping into one facility. The centre adds virtual reality technology, 3D printing and scanning, a testing suite and a machinery showroom for customer collaboration on packaging development.
Why this mattersThe investment signals distributors expanding design and prototyping services to retain customers seeking cost, sustainability and efficiency solutions in-house.
- The Smart Packaging Centre is located at Antalis' head office in Leicestershire, UK.
- New features include VR technology, 3D printing and scanning, a testing suite and a machinery showroom.
- The facility combines sourcing, packaging design, testing and prototyping under one roof.
- Chris Liddell is packaging business director and John Garner is packaging category director at Antalis.
Harlow-based paper wholesaler Ovenden Papers was placed into administration on 18 September 2026 and its stock, vehicles, intellectual property, plant and goodwill were sold the same day in a pre-packaged deal to Antalis for USD 297,000 (GBP 225,000). All 47 employees transferred under TUPE rules; unsecured creditors are expected to receive nothing.
Why this mattersFalling demand for paper has removed a 47-staff UK merchant from the market and handed Antalis its stock, IP and customer base for USD 297,000 (GBP 225,000).
- Antalis paid USD 297,000 (GBP 225,000) for stock, vehicles, intellectual property, plant and goodwill on 18 September 2026.
- All 47 employees transferred to Antalis under TUPE.
- Sales fell from USD 50.1m (GBP 37.9m) in the year to March 2025 to USD 32.3m (GBP 24.4m) the following year.
- After-tax losses were USD 1.94m (GBP 1.47m) and USD 2.35m (GBP 1.78m) in those two years, plus USD 929,000 (GBP 703,000) in the four months to July 2026.
- Secured lender Praetura was owed USD 5.16m (GBP 3.91m) and is expected to recover in full; unsecured creditors are expected to receive nothing.
- Administrators Alvarez & Marsal approached 63 potential buyers and received one offer.
