Gerresheimer Sells Packaging Business to Apax Funds

Harper Cole 08/04/2026

A major realignment is underway in the pharmaceutical packaging sector as Gerresheimer executes a significant divestment, shedding parts of its global operations to sharpen its focus on high-growth areas.

The transaction sees Gerresheimer agree to sell its Centor business, which supplies prescription drug dispensing systems in the United States, along with its global Primary Packaging Plastics division, to Apax Funds. This is a substantial move, valued at approximately €1.5 billion.

This strategic shift allows Gerresheimer to pivot its focus entirely toward specialized areas: pharmaceutical drug delivery and advanced medical devices. The goal is clear—to evolve the company into a leader in higher-value packaging solutions rather than managing a broad portfolio of legacy assets.

The scale of the sale reflects the depth of the assets being transferred. The divestment includes 16 production sites spread across nine countries and encompasses approximately 2,400 employees. Collectively, these businesses generated around €570 million in revenue during 2025, showcasing the significant footprint being reorganized.

The timeline for this transformation is carefully managed. The sale of the Centor business is anticipated to be completed by the end of financial year 2026. Meanwhile, the Primary Packaging Plastics business is slated to close in the first half of financial year 2027, contingent upon regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

For Gerresheimer, the infusion of capital from this transaction will be critical. The proceeds are earmarked for debt reduction, strengthening the company’s overall balance sheet, and actively supporting the strategic transformation toward delivering more sophisticated and higher-margin pharmaceutical packaging systems.

This type of portfolio optimization is becoming increasingly common across the healthcare packaging sector. Companies are strategically opting to focus investment on technology-driven, high-margin businesses, reflecting continued investor interest in specialized primary packaging assets and the rising strategic value of healthcare solutions.