What GAPLAST GmbH does

GAPLAST GmbH is a family-owned German specialty manufacturer of plastic primary packaging and medical-application systems, founded in 1969 in Saulgrub-Altenau, Bavaria, and currently managed by Roland, Stephan and Leonie Kneer. The company serves three end-markets — pharmaceutical primary packaging, medical drug-delivery devices, and premium cosmetics — from two Bavarian sites: the Altenau headquarters (tool shop, maintenance, automation, select production) and a modern 6,420 m² Peiting manufacturing facility brought online in January 2012, with a further Peiting expansion announced in February 2020. As of the latest careers-page disclosure, GAPLAST employs more than 320 people.

The company's product portfolio centers on six proprietary platforms: the AirlessMotion® bag-in-bottle airless packaging system (offered in ≥80% PCR variants); the implant syringe for subcutaneous extended-release drug delivery (registered with the Chinese NMPA); the Soft Mist Inhaler cartridge for respiratory biologics; the MultiDose bottle (used in STADA's Snup® nasal spray); child-resistant container closure systems co-developed with JACO, including the 100% bio-based TR 33.0 stopper; and the TubAirfree® airless tube launched in July 2024 with PUMPARTS SYSTEM. All products are produced using three in-house technologies — coextrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and injection molding — supported by an in-house tool-making and automation capability that enables custom development and rapid prototyping.

GAPLAST operates as a B2B contract and proprietary-product manufacturer with a consultative, engineering-led sales motion. Pricing is per-project and not publicly disclosed; revenue is generated through hardware sales of manufactured packaging and medical devices. Quality is anchored by ISO 15378 (pharmaceutical primary packaging) and ISO 9001 certifications, both recertified in November 2024. Commercial reach is direct, with no distributor network, and is supported by trade-show participation (CPHI, Pharmapack, SMI.London, RDD Europe, Pharma Sustainability Days) and a website offering technical factsheets. Named enterprise customers include STADA, Ringana, Wild Beauty, HERMES PHARMA, URSAPHARM, Biodeal Pharmaceuticals, Weleda, Primavera, Kao (KMS), Pierre Fabre (René Furrierer), Harro Höfliger, Ursatec and JACO, several of which are described as multi-decade partners.

Name

GAPLAST GmbH

Legal name

Gaplast GmbH

Website

https://gaplast.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

GAPLAST GmbH is a family-owned Bavarian manufacturer of custom plastic primary packaging and medical drug-delivery systems — including AirlessMotion® bag-in-bottle, implant syringes, and SMI cartridges — serving pharmaceutical, medical-device, and premium cosmetics customers through direct B2B sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saulgrub

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plastic packaging manufacturing and sales: GAPLAST designs and manufactures custom primary plastic packaging and medical devices for the pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetics industries. Revenue is generated through the sale of manufactured products including bag-in-bottle systems, containers, closures, and specialized medical syringes. Custom development services are offered as an integrated part of the product engagement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GAPLAST GmbH designs and manufactures custom plastic primary packaging and application solutions for the pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetics industries. The company specializes in airless bag-in-bottle systems, medical devices such as implant syringes and Soft Mist Inhaler cartridges, and pharmaceutical container closure systems. Production relies on three complementary technologies (coextrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, injection molding) supported by in-house tool making and automation.

Product overview

GAPLAST GmbH is a developer and producer of plastic primary packaging and application solutions for the pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetics industries. The company operates three production technologies: coextrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and injection molding. Their core product portfolio includes the AirlessMotion® bag-in-bottle airless packaging system, implant syringes for extended-release drug delivery, Soft Mist Inhaler cartridges for respiratory therapies, MultiDose bottles for multi-dose pharmaceutical applications, Container Closure Systems with child-resistant options, and TubAirfree® airless tube systems. GAPLAST also offers Custom Development services for bespoke packaging solutions, supported by in-house tool-making and maintenance capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AirlessMotion® Bag-in-Bottle Proprietary bag-in-bottle airless packaging system that provides optimal protection against UV radiation and oxygen and enables near-complete product evacuation. Available in PCR (post-consumer recycled) material variants. Used in pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetics applications including food supplements, facial care, serums, and dental care.
• Implant Syringe (Implantatspritze) Medical device for subcutaneous administration of extended-release drug implants, available with depot options for one or three months. Registered with Chinese NMPA and awarded the German Packaging Award 2016 in Functionality and Convenience.
• Soft Mist Inhaler Cartridge Airless cartridge designed for Soft Mist Inhaler (SMI) devices, providing superior product protection for biologics and generics and enabling propellant-free mist generation for respiratory drug delivery.
• MultiDose Bottle System Multi-dose bottle system for pharmaceutical applications requiring precise and hygienic dosing across multiple applications, such as the Snup® nasal spray by STADA.
• Container Closure Systems Primary packaging closure systems for pharmaceutical containers, including child-resistant closures according to DIN 8317 and 100% bio-based plastic stoppers co-developed with JACO.
• TubAirfree® Airless Tube System Airless tube system combining PUMPARTS SYSTEM's airless tube technology with GAPLAST's intelligent closure to remove air from tubes and improve cosmetic product preservation.
• Custom Development Service Bespoke development and realization of customer-specific plastic packaging and application solutions, leveraging in-house R&D, tool making, automation, and three production technologies (coextrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, injection molding).

Quantifiable outcome

• AirlessMotion PCR bottle contains over 80% PCR (post-consumer recycled) material, reducing virgin plastic usage
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partnership for pharmaceutical packaging innovation. Harro Höfliger featured GAPLAST's implant syringe in their customer magazine and describes GAPLAST as an innovative and valuable cooperation partner with a unique technology package for the pharmaceutical market. GAPLAST has proven to be extremely flexible and capable of adapting its portfolio to customer requirements.
• Aptar (Airless Pump Technology)coreTechnology or IntegrationAptar supplies the airless pump technology integrated into GAPLAST's Bag-in-Bottle systems for cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. The partnership enables precise, hygienic, and effortless dosing combined with GAPLAST's bag-in-bottle technology.
• Aptar (Airless Pump Technology)coreTechnology or IntegrationAptar's airless pump technology is used in the AirlessMotion Bag-in-Bottle system for LiqVits' food supplement product, providing comfortable and precise dosing.
• Ursatec GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing business relationship with joint company events and company outings. Part of a group of partner companies including Aero Pump GmbH and URSAPHARM that share a common mission for environment and health.
• Aero Pump GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the joint mission for environment and health, connected through URSAPHARM and Ursatec. Part of a virtual company run initiative linking the partner companies.
• URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-decade partnership characterized by high professionalism and collaborative approach. URSAPHARM values GAPLAST's ability to develop and implement individualized solutions tailored to their specific needs. GAPLAST is described as an indispensable part of URSAPHARM's success.
• JACO – Dr. Jaeniche GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for container closure systems, including child-resistant closures per DIN 8317. The first 100% bio-based plastic stopper TR 33.0 was co-developed. JACO offers GAPLAST's products in combination with their own closure solutions.
• Peneder BusinessbauminorOthersConstruction company responsible for the modern manufacturing facility in Peiting, completed in spring 2011/2012 with 6,420 m² of floor space. Peneder combined attractive industrial architecture with smart building service engineering.
• Merxin Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInitiator of SMI.London conference, a specialized industry event for Soft-Mist Inhalation technologies. Merxin Ltd. brings together industry experts and GAPLAST participates to showcase SMI cartridge solutions.
• DQS (Certification Body)coreOthersDQS conducted GAPLAST's successful recertification audits for ISO 9001 and ISO 15378 after five days of audit and approximately 43 department interviews.
• IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGAPLAST participates in the 'Initiative Null Granulatverlust' (Zero Pellet Loss Initiative) under the global Operation Clean Sweep program, as part of its sustainability commitment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gerresheimer AG: Global pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging manufacturer (glass and plastics). Directly comparable to GAPLAST's pharma primary packaging focus, but with much broader product portfolio including glass vials, syringes, and ampoules; serves the same enterprise pharma customers.
• West Pharmaceutical Services: Leading supplier of primary packaging and drug delivery systems (stoppers, seals, syringes, auto-injectors) for injectable pharma and biologics. Comparable to GAPLAST's container closure and implant syringe capabilities, but at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Stevanato Group: Provider of drug containment, drug delivery, and diagnostic solutions to the pharmaceutical industry (glass vials, syringes, plastic containers). Comparable to GAPLAST's medical device and pharma packaging offerings, with broader scope including glass and integrated solutions.
• Schott AG: Specialty glass and pharmaceutical packaging manufacturer (vials, syringes, cartridges, ampoules). Comparable to GAPLAST's pharmaceutical primary packaging positioning, though focused primarily on glass rather than plastic packaging.
• Becton Dickinson (BD): Global medical technology company producing drug delivery devices including prefilled syringes, injection systems, and pharmaceutical packaging. Overlaps with GAPLAST's implant syringe and SMI cartridge offerings within a much larger medical device portfolio.
• RPC Group / Berry Global (Beauty & Personal Care Packaging): Large global plastics packaging group with significant beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical packaging operations. Comparable to GAPLAST's cosmetics and pharma packaging offerings, particularly airless and PCR-based solutions, at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• AptarGroup: Global leader in drug delivery, consumer product dispensing, and active material science solutions. Both a supplier to GAPLAST (airless pumps for AirlessMotion) and a competitor in airless packaging systems for pharma and cosmetics.

Emerging players

• DWK Life Sciences: Manufacturer of premium lab glassware, primary packaging, and drug delivery solutions serving pharma and life sciences. Comparable to GAPLAST in pharmaceutical primary packaging, particularly for sterile and sensitive applications.

Regional players

• Aero Pump GmbH: German specialist in pump systems and dispensing solutions for pharmaceutical and consumer applications. Comparable to GAPLAST's airless dispensing and drug-delivery technology focus, and identified by GAPLAST itself as a partner in its group of aligned companies.
• Ursatec GmbH: German developer and manufacturer of plastic primary packaging for pharmaceutical applications. Directly comparable to GAPLAST in product scope and customer base, and a declared strategic partner within the same affiliated group of companies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gaplastgmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about GAPLAST GmbH