Consumables
Agreement between Fedrigoni and Portals on security business from Fedrigoni
Thursday 29. April 2021 - Portals, a UK-headquartered global specialist in banknote and security paper production will acquire Fedrigonis Security business based in Bollate, Italy. Closing of the Bollate transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent.
Fedrigoni, one of the leading European producers of specialty papers and self-adhesive materials, entered into a transaction for the potential sale of its security business based in Bollate (Italy), specialised in the production of security features, along with its assets and employees, to Portals, a global specialist in banknote and security paper production. As a separate transaction, Portals is also acquiring an option to potentially purchase certain banknote paper and passport paper assets (including production machinery) from the Fabriano (Italy) security division of Fedrigoni. Fedrigoni CEO Marco Nespolo stated: “Portals is an established, growing player: our people are in good hands”. Portals CEO Ross Holliday commented: “The acquisition of Fedrigonis security thread and foil business will mark a major step forward in Portals strategy to bring improved innovation and value to our customers for banknote, passport and security papers.”
Portals, a UK-headquartered company and one of the worlds leading suppliers of banknote and security paper, and Fedrigoni, one of the leading European producers of specialty papers and high value-added products for packaging, graphics and self-adhesive labels, have announced their intention to perform the acquisition of Fedrigonis Security business by Portals. In a separate agreement, Portals is also acquiring an option to potentially purchase certain banknote paper and banknote paper assets from Fedrigonis security division based in Fabriano (Italy). The completion of these two separate transactions could occur during the course of 2021, subject to customary approvals. The Security business includes an extensive portfolio of security features for banknote applications and other security documents, as well as the production plant in Bollate (Milan, Italy). The separate sale of certain assets for the production of banknote and passport paper, located in Fabriano (Italy) will be subject to a put and call option which may be exercised by each of the parties by the end of 2021, following the closing of the Bollate transaction.
“We look forward to the completion of the transactions and to welcoming Fedrigonis skilled and experienced Bollate team to Portals as we continue to develop a leading, integrated security paper business. This transaction will enable Portals to develop and deliver more quickly and efficiently, the leading security products our customers require”, said Portals CEO, Dr Ross Holliday.”We are proud that an established international player in the banknote and security papers business, who intends to invest and expand, has expressed strong interest to acquire our Security business based on the value of our technology and the know-how of our people, who we are placing in excellent hands,” commented Marco Nespolo, CEO of Fedrigoni Group. Around 100 employees from the group will join the new company, Fase S.r.L., which has been established to allow the transaction regarding the Bollate Security business.
This personnel consists of those working at the Bollate plant, including the commercial team and support staff connected to the security business. As far as the separate transaction relating to certain assets located in Fabriano is concerned, in case the option is exercised, certain machinery and equipment used for the production of banknote and passport papers will be sold to Portals, whilst the personnel, the plant and certain critical assets (including the mould machine) will remain with Fedrigoni to develop the Art & Drawing business, which includes art papers and quality printing papers, both of which are expanding quickly and will be developed even further.
Since its acquisition by private equity fund Epiris in 2018, Portals has invested heavily to develop its banknote and security paper business. Following the Bollate acquisition, Portals will be able to provide its clients with an improved and integrated proposition offer of both paper as well as security threads and foils and will significantly accelerate investment in an integrated innovation strategy. Portals intends to continue security thread and foil production in Bollate and invest in innovation capacity across its facilities.
Fedrigoni Group is assisted by Poyry as financial advisors, Latham & Watkins as legal M&A advisors, PwC and NDA on financial matters, Pirola Pennuto Zei on tax matters and Golder on health, safety and environmental aspects. Portals is assisted by CMS as legal advisor, KPMG for finance and tax matters, Searchlight Consulting for IT and RPS for Environmental due diligence.