What Klöckner Pentaplast does

Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) is a global manufacturer of rigid and flexible plastic films and specialty packaging solutions founded in 1965, headquartered in London with primary operating entity KP Holding GmbH & Co. KG incorporated in Germany. The company operates 27 manufacturing plants across 16 countries with 5,000+ employees and serves six primary verticals: pharmaceutical and nutraceutical packaging (blister films, kpNext® MDR1, kpEnhance, BlisterPro services), medical device packaging, food packaging (MAP trays, fruit trays, protein trays, kp FlexiLid/FlexiFlow printed barrier films), labels (SmartCycle® shrink sleeves, pressure-sensitive labels), consumer packaging, and home/building/construction (Pentadecor® decorative films, plasticizer-free LVT flooring films).

The company's technology platform is anchored in proprietary branded film lines that emphasize recyclability and PCR content: kpNext® MDR1 (100% PET-stream compatible medical films), kp Elite® Nova (lightest MAP tray in class), SmartCycle® shrink sleeves designed for PET/HDPE/PP recycling streams, kp Evolve® Fish Boards (up to 100% recycled PET), and Pentadecor® decorative films (Sendura™ super-matte, Galaxy Time 3D shimmer, Color Concept). Quantified performance claims include 12.5% higher dyne level, 14% greater opacity, 75% less yellowing, and 10% less shrinkage on flooring films versus competing products. The company's "Investing in Better" sustainability strategy is backed by an EcoVadis Gold rating (top 3% of plastics products manufacturers).

Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales of manufactured films and packaging solutions to enterprise customers under contract-based arrangements, supported by global account managers and regional customer-service teams. Following a prepackaged Chapter 11 filing in November 2025 driven by post-pandemic demand decline and cost inflation, kp emerged from bankruptcy on January 30, 2026 having eliminated approximately €1.3 billion of funded debt, received €349 million in new capital, and transitioned ownership to funds affiliated with Redwood Capital Management, LLC. Leadership transitioned in June 2026 with Michael Zacka (former Amcor plc President EMEA/APAC) appointed as Interim CEO.

Name

Klöckner Pentaplast

Legal name

Klöckner Pentaplast Group

Website

https://kpfilms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Klöckner Pentaplast is a global manufacturer of rigid and flexible plastic films and specialty packaging serving pharmaceutical, medical device, food, label, consumer, and construction customers from 27 plants in 16 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plastic Packaging Films

NAICS

Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199), Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326)

SIC

Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081), Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

Pharmaceutical & Medical Plastic Packaging Manufacturing (IMANAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plastic Trays, Clamshells & Blister Packaging Manufacturing (IMANAEAE), Polyester & Nylon Films (PET/BOPET, PA/BOPA) (IMALABAB), Flexible Plastic Packaging (Bags, Pouches, Sachets) Manufacturing (IMANAEAC)

Keywords

• Rigid plastic films
• Flexible packaging films
• Pharmaceutical blister films
• Food packaging trays
• Decorative surface films

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices49 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Plastic Film and Packaging Solutions Sales: Kp generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of rigid and flexible plastic films, packaging solutions, and specialty films to B2B customers across pharmaceutical, medical device, food packaging, consumer goods, and industrial sectors. Revenue is generated through direct sales with contract-based arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) manufactures and sells rigid and flexible plastic films and specialty packaging solutions for B2B customers across pharmaceutical, medical device, food packaging, beverage, consumer goods, decorative surfaces, and flooring/construction applications. The company operates 27 plants in 16 countries and sells proprietary branded product lines such as kpNext® MDR1 medical device films, kp Elite® Nova MAP trays, SmartCycle® shrink sleeves, Pentadecor® decorative films, and plasticizer-free LVT flooring films.

Product overview

Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) is a global leader in recycled content products and high-barrier protective packaging, operating as a manufacturer of rigid and flexible plastic films rather than a software platform. The company's product portfolio spans multiple divisions: Pharma and Medical (including kpNext® MDR1 medical device films and BlisterPro services), Food Packaging (kp Elite® Nova MAP trays, kp Infinity® recyclable trays, kp Evolve® Fish Boards, and kp Printed Films with barrier films like kp FlexiLid® and kp FlexiFlow®), Labels (SmartCycle® shrink sleeves and pressure-sensitive label films), Consumer Packaging, and Home/Construction (Pentadecor® decorative films including Sendura™ matte films and Color Concept, plus plasticizer-free flooring films for LVT). The company emphasizes sustainability through its 'Investing in Better' strategy, focusing on recyclable mono-materials, PCR content, and circular economy solutions across its product lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• kp: Global leader in rigid and flexible plastic packaging, printing and specialty solutions, operating under the 'kp' brand name
• kp Next MDR1
• kp Elite Nova
• kp Infinity
• kp Evolve Fish Boards
• kp FlexiLid
• kp FlexiFlow
• kp Enhance
• SmartCycle
• Pentadecor
• BlisterPro
• Jewel
• kp Zapora
• Investing in Better

Products and services

• kpNext® MDR1 Advanced copolyester film for medical device packaging offering best-in-class performance, clarity, and protection while being 100% compatible with the #1 PET recycling stream. For medical device manufacturers.
• kp Elite® Nova Lightest Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) tray design in its class with a unique ribbing design for strength and barrier properties, helping protein and food packaging customers reduce total cost of ownership.
• kp Infinity® Fruit Tray Range Recyclable fruit trays from the kp Infinity® portfolio designed specifically for packed fresh fruit applications, helping reduce food and packaging waste. For fresh produce packers and food-to-go container manufacturers.
• SmartCycle® Heat Shrink Sleeve Films Family of heat shrink sleeve films engineered for PET recycling streams, HDPE and PP containers, certified PCR content, complex container geometries, and hot-air shrink applications. For beverage, consumer products, and industrial label buyers.
• kp FlexiLid® and kp FlexiFlow® Barrier Films Premium barrier films for flexible food packaging applications, available with up to 11-colour rotogravure and flexographic printing for strong on-pack communication and shelf appeal.
• kp Evolve® Fish Boards Mono PET alternative to traditional metallised boards for vacuum fish packaging applications, recyclable within PET streams and made with up to 100% recycled PET content while maintaining protection, presentation, and processing efficiency.
• Pentadecor® Decorative Films 2D and 3D decorative films for furniture, doors, and surfaces, including Galaxy Time (embossed surfaces with deep shimmer/sparkle effects without metallic pigments), Tessuto Primavera (organic textures from coarse to fine), Sendura™ (super matte, anti-fingerprint, scratch-resistant, chemical-cleaner resistant), and Color Concept collections (trend-driven hues and finishes). For furniture manufacturers and interior surface producers.
• BlisterPro Pharmaceutical Packaging Services Services supporting pharmaceutical blister packaging solutions, providing packaging design, development, and qualification support for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• kpEnhance Nutraceutical Packaging Films Nutraceutical packaging films offered under the kpEnhance brand, including kpEnhance RM1 and kpEnhance QRF variants, for nutraceutical product manufacturers.
• kp Plasticizer-Free Flooring Films Print layer and wear layer flooring films for luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring, featuring plasticizer-free formulations, UV resistance, and high clarity. Includes semi-rigid options for WPC and SPC core materials. For LVT flooring manufacturers.
• kp Printed Films Printed barrier films with up to 11-colour rotogravure and flexographic printing for food packaging applications, delivering vibrant graphics and shelf appeal without additional labels.
• kp i center Application Engineering Services Application engineering services that help customers develop appropriate packaging solutions for their pharmaceutical and other products, providing technical development support.

Quantifiable outcome

• kp Elite® Nova is the lightest MAP tray design in its class
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PETCORE EUROPEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKp actively participates in PETCORE EUROPE Thermoforms Conference, with Senior Innovation Manager Samuel Pardo sharing perspectives on moving from recyclable PET trays to truly recycled trays, contributing to industry collaboration on circularity.
• Featherstone RoversminorOthersKp sponsors the Featherstone Rovers rugby team in West Yorkshire, UK, demonstrating community engagement and local sponsorship activities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Amcor plc: Global leader in rigid and flexible plastic packaging serving pharma, food, beverage, and personal care end markets. Direct competitor across multiple kp segments and the source of kp's new Interim CEO, Michael Zacka, who previously ran Amcor's EMEA and Asia Pacific business.
• Sealed Air Corporation: US-listed protective and food packaging manufacturer with significant presence in films, trays, and barrier packaging. Overlaps with kp in MAP trays, food packaging films, and protective barrier applications.
• Berry Global Group: Large global plastic packaging manufacturer offering rigid containers, films, and engineered materials. Competes with kp in consumer packaging films, labels, and specialty rigid packaging across multiple verticals.
• CCL Industries: World's largest label manufacturer with significant operations in shrink sleeves, pressure-sensitive labels, and specialty films. Direct overlap with kp's Labels business unit and SmartCycle shrink-sleeve portfolio.

Direct peers

• Coveris Holdings: European flexible packaging manufacturer serving food, pet food, and consumer goods markets with film, pouch, and laminate solutions. Direct overlap with kp's flexible packaging, MAP trays, and barrier films business.
• Constantia Flexibles: Austria-headquartered flexible packaging specialist with strong pharma and food packaging presence. Directly comparable to kp's pharmaceutical blister films, nutraceutical packaging, and barrier food films.
• Winpak Ltd. Canadian rigid and flexible packaging manufacturer serving food, beverage, and healthcare markets. Comparable product portfolio in MAP trays, barrier films, and pharmaceutical packaging films.
• Taghleef Industries: Global BOPP and BOPET film producer serving labels, packaging, and industrial markets. Direct competitor in PET film supply, particularly for shrink sleeves (SmartCycle overlap) and label face films.
• Oben Group: Latin American-based BOPET and BOPP film producer with global distribution. Competes with kp in PET films for labels, flexible packaging, and industrial applications.
• Plastipak Holdings: Privately held rigid plastic packaging manufacturer specializing in PET containers and preforms with significant PCR/recycled content capabilities. Comparable to kp in PET rigid film/thermoforming and recycled content strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kpgroup_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSFi7ekkdieNAVN8nmOeFFg
• Facebookfacebook.com/kpfilmsofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/klockner-pentaplast
• Instagraminstagram.com/kp.films

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Klöckner Pentaplast