Saica absorbs Thimm adding 1.2 billion square meters of corrugated capacity

The European corrugated packaging landscape has just experienced a significant tectonic shift. On July 23, 2026, the European Commission officially cleared Saica Group's acquisition of Thimm Group's packaging assets, bringing a swift regulatory conclusion to the deal initially announced in May. This move formally integrates Thimm's extensive operations in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania into the Zaragoza-based multinational.

For industry observers, this transaction is a textbook example of strategic geographic expansion. Saica, already a dominant force in Western and Southern Europe with a 2025 consolidated turnover of 3.962 billion euros, now secures a robust foothold in Central and Eastern Europe. The acquisition transfers approximately 2,500 Thimm employees to Saica's payroll, pushing the Spanish group's total workforce past the 14,500 mark.

A massive injection of production capacity

The sheer scale of the acquired assets highlights Saica's aggressive growth strategy. The deal encompasses nine corrugated board plants located in Alzey, Wolnzach, Eberswalde, Castrop-Rauxel, and Northeim in Germany; Tychy and Skarbimierz in Poland; Všetaty in the Czech Republic; and Sibiu in Romania. Additionally, it includes a dedicated preprint facility in Ilsenburg, Germany.

Combined, these facilities add a staggering 1.2 billion square meters of corrugated cardboard production capacity to Saica's portfolio. Susana Alejandro, President and CEO of Saica Group, emphasized that this integration is a critical milestone within the company's strategic development plan, designed to bring production closer to local markets and offer pan-European packaging solutions to multinational clients.

Decades of collaboration culminate in consolidation

While the acquisition marks the end of an era for the Thimm family—who founded the company in 1949 and are now fully exiting the business—the transition is built on a foundation of deep mutual familiarity. Saica and Thimm are not strangers; the two family-owned enterprises have maintained a strategic sales alliance since the late 1990s and previously operated a successful joint venture in Poland.

Mathias Schliep, CEO of Thimm Group, noted during the initial announcement that the highly competitive nature of the current market dictates that only large players will secure future market share. By passing the baton to Europe's largest family-owned company in the sector, Thimm ensures operational continuity. Saica has confirmed that all acquired plants will remain fully operational under their existing structures, providing stability for both the workforce and the regional customer base.

Market implications for 2026 and beyond

This consolidation reflects a broader trend in the global paper and packaging industry: the necessity of scale to absorb cyclical market volatility and fund capital-intensive transitions toward digitalization and decarbonization. Saica's financial muscle will likely accelerate technological investments across the newly acquired Eastern European plants, aligning them with the group's broader circular economy and waste management objectives.

As we move through the second half of 2026, the integration process will be the true test. Merging corporate cultures, even those with a shared history, requires meticulous execution. However, Saica's track record of absorbing international assets suggests a smooth operational transition.

The absorption of Thimm by Saica is a masterclass in logical market consolidation, securing vital Eastern European capacity for the Spanish giant while ensuring the survival and modernization of Thimm's historic assets under a robust financial umbrella. Will this aggressive expansion prompt other major European packaging players to accelerate their own M&A strategies before the year ends? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai