Fedrigoni, a global player in the production of specialty papers for luxury packaging and other creative applications, self-adhesive labels, and RFID and connected solutions, took advantage of the Paris Packaging Week trade show to make several announcements. These included its investment in SharpEnd/io.tt and the acquisition of Arjowiggins China, a manufacturer of tracing papers used as an alternative to plastic.
The acquisition of a stake in SharpEnd/io.tt is part of a new venture capital program launched by Fedrigoni to accelerate its innovation process and acquire new technologies through young companies.
Founded in 2015 and based in London, SharpEnd bills itself as the world's first Internet of Things (IoT) agency. The company develops connected packaging solutions for brands, using a proprietary SaaS (software as a service) platform launched in 2019, called io.tt. Today, this platform manages billions of touchpoints across packaging and retail. "The world of connected products is increasingly strategic for us, and this operation, in synergy with our recent acquisitions of Tageos and the Grenoble R&D Center, will enhance our portfolio of solutions in the world of smart labels and papers."emphasized Marco Nespolo, CEO of the Fedrigoni Group.
With the acquisition of Arjowiggins China currently being finalized, the Fedrigoni Group is strengthening its geographical presence in the Asian market, where it already has an extensive distribution network, a self-adhesive labelstock production plant and an insert and RFID label production plant. The operation will expand the company's product portfolio in the tracing paper segment, a recyclable single-material substrate capable of replacing plastic in packaging. The Quzhou paper mill, located in Zhejiang province, is a world leader in the production of tracing papers, sold under the Gateway and Sylvicta brands, for applications ranging from industrial design and graphics to food packaging, consumer electronics and luxury goods.
