Reno De Medici Acquires Recycled Board Producer Eska Group

The Eska Group is a producer of solid board based on 100% recycled fibers in its two factories located in The Netherlands (in Sappemeer and Hoogezand), with an overall installed annual capacity of 290,000 tons.

June 15, 2021 (Press Release) - Reno De Medici [on June 8] announced that it has signed an irrevocable commitment to acquire 100% of the share capital of Fineska B.V., the Dutch holding company of "Eska" Group. The seller, Andes C.V. is a vehicle controlled by the US investment firm Andlinger & Co.

The Eska Group is a global leader in the production of solid board based on 100% recycled fibers in its two factories located in The Netherlands (in Sappemeer and Hoogezand), with an overall installed yearly capacity of 290,000 tons. Solid-board applications range from luxury packaging to bookbinding, from puzzles & games to stationery.

With headquarters in Sappemeer (The Netherlands), Eska, in addition to the two production mills, has three service centres with cutting and warehouse activities respectively in the Unites States, Italy, and Spain. It also has commercial offices in the UK and Hong Kong.

In the financial year ended December 31, 2020, based on Dutch GAAPs, Eska Group's Gross Sales totalled EUR 149.7 million, EBITDA was EUR 24.6 million and Net Profit was EUR 12.7 million. Net Financial Debt amounted to 2.5 million at December 31, 2020.

The transaction closing is expected to occur no later than July 31, 2021, subject to the aforementioned completion of the consultation procedures in The Netherlands and fulfilment of certain conditions precedent, of which transaction financing.

Michele Bianchi, CEO of RDM Group stated: "This transaction is consistent with the growth strategy we had set forth. It offers us new development opportunities on a broader geographical scale, reinforcing the resilience of our Group performances.

"Eska's product line focuses on specialty grades, similar to the portfolio of Ovaro mill. With its integration in the RDM Group, we aim at implementing the same strategic multi-mill approach that has yielded visible benefits in our core WLC business.

"Additionally, the integration of this new acquisition enables us to consolidate and accelerate the successful go-to-market strategy that Eska has applied to its customer value offering in recent years," concluded CEO Bianchi.

RDM Group, with headquarters in Milan, Italy, is the second largest European producer of coated recycled cartonboard, the largest in Italy, France and the Iberian Peninsula; RDM Group also produces virgin fibre cartonboard. For further information, visit: rdmgroup.com.

SOURCE: RDM Group