What POLIFILM does

POLIFILM is a second-generation family-owned German manufacturer of extruded and protective film solutions headquartered in Cologne, Germany. Founded in 1970, the company operates through five business units: POLIFILM PROTECTION (self-adhesive surface protection films for industrial and automotive applications), POLIFILM PERFORMANCE FILMS (PE and PP laminating, label, process/carrier, packaging, and construction films), POLIFILM CAST (stretch films including the reNATE PCR-content line), POLIFILM TRADING (distribution under JUFOL, AM Folien, and RIPAC brands), and POLICYCLE (recycling and recyclate supply). The technology stack is anchored by multi-layer co-extrusion, in-house adhesive formulation (water-based, solvent-based acrylic, and natural rubber systems), and process innovations such as an energy-optimized solvent recovery system and an anti-entanglement safety control system developed at POLIFILM China.

The company operates 12 production companies across 7 countries (Germany, USA, China, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Romania), supported by 25 sales offices and over 20 distribution partners serving more than 60 countries. Manufacturing footprint includes a 140,000+ sq ft ISO 9001:2015-certified facility in Hampshire, Illinois, a new state-of-the-art plant in Changshu, China (relocated from Taicang in 2022), and German production sites in Wipperfuerth, Weissandt-Golzau, Wermelskirchen, Osterburken, and Neukirchen. POLIFILM AMERICA maintains two regional service centers in Philadelphia and Atlanta, delivering 48-72 hour lead times on stocked items. The headcount exceeds 1,600 employees across operating units and shared services.

POLIFILM's business model is B2B contract manufacturing of customized film solutions sold via direct field sales through regional sales offices and channel partners. Revenue streams are predominantly one-time product sales across protective films, extrusion films, performance films, and trading/sourcing, with POLICYCLE offering managed recycling services. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to film type, adhesive system, width, printing, and conversion specifications under multi-year contracts. The customer base spans eight vertical segments including processing industry, automotive (TISAX-certified subsidiary), agricultural and horticulture, logistics and shipping, packaging, construction and renovation, label manufacturing, and food/pet food packaging, with the family-led ownership structure (Christian Runkel as CEO, Oliver Berger as CFO) indicating no external investor capital and continuity-oriented capital allocation.

Name

POLIFILM

Legal name

POLIFILM GmbH

Website

https://polifilm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

POLIFILM is a second-generation, family-owned German manufacturer of extruded and protective PE/PP film solutions, operating 12 production entities across 7 countries and serving eight verticals including automotive, processing industry, agriculture, packaging, and construction through 25 sales offices and 60+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Protective Films

NAICS

Unlaminated Plastics Film and Sheet (except Packaging) Manufacturing (326113), Plastics Packaging Materials and Unlaminated Film and Sheet Manufacturing (32611), Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261)

SIC

Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Protective Film Extrusion (Masking, Surface Protection, Barrier Films) (IMANACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Polyolefin Films (PE/PP: Cast, Blown, BOPP) (IMALABAA)

Keywords

• Protective films
• Extrusion films
• Surface protection
• Polyethylene films
• Industrial films

Headquarters

HQ city

Weißandt-gölzau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Protective Film Solutions: B2B manufacturing and sale of self-adhesive surface protection films for temporary protection during production, processing, and assembly, including films for stainless steel, aluminum, coated metals, plastics, glass, carpets, and automotive applications.
2. Extrusion Films: Manufacturing and sale of PE and PP extrusion films including stretch films, laminating films, packaging films, label films, and agricultural films.
3. Performance Films: Five product segments including laminating films, label films, process and carrier films, packaging films, and solutions for construction and renovation.
4. Trading & Sourcing: POLIFILM TRADING serves as sourcing partner for films and related portfolios within and outside the POLIFILM Group for construction, DIY, painting and decorating, gardening and protective packaging markets.
5. Recycling Services: POLICYCLE division provides recycling services, recyclate supply, and film manufacturing from recycled materials with take-back and return concepts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

POLIFILM manufactures self-adhesive protective films and extrusion films based on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The company's products are used for surface protection, packaging, agricultural, automotive, and construction applications, supplying industrial customers across Europe and internationally.

Product overview

POLIFILM is a second-generation family-owned international company and global leader in manufacturing extruded and protective film solutions. The company operates through five business units: POLIFILM PROTECTION (self-adhesive surface protection films), POLIFILM PERFORMANCE FILMS (PE & PP film solutions across five segments: laminating, label, process & carrier, packaging, and construction films), POLIFILM CAST (stretch film specialist), POLIFILM TRADING (sourcing partner with brands JUFOL, AM Folien, RIPAC), and POLICYCLE (recycling and circular economy specialist). The product portfolio encompasses protection films for industry and automotive, agricultural films (stretch, silage, greenhouse), stretch films, laminating films, label films, process & carrier films, packaging films, and construction/renovation solutions. With 12 production companies in 7 countries and operations in over 60 countries, POLIFILM serves diverse industries including construction, automotive, agriculture, food, logistics, and pharmaceuticals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JUFOL: Trading brand under POLIFILM TRADING for construction, DIY, painting and decorating, gardening and protective packaging markets
• AM Folien
• RIPAC
• reNATE

Products and services

• Self-adhesive protective films Self-adhesive films designed to protect surfaces of finished goods during manufacturing, transport, and storage. Used by industrial manufacturers across multiple sectors including automotive, construction, and packaging.
• Extrusion films (PE/PP) Polyethylene and polypropylene extrusion films for use in surface protection, packaging, agricultural, automotive, and construction applications. Supplied to industrial buyers requiring tailored film specifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rescue time reduced from 3 minutes to 0.45 seconds with Emergency Stop with Instant Separation safety system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Anika International PVT LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 August 2026Anika International PVT Ltd is partnering with POLIFILM Performance Films for ProPak India trade show (August 26-28, 2026) in Mumbai, India. This partnership extends POLIFILM's reach in the Indian market through a local distribution partner.
• pro dis GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2022POLIFILM acquired pro dis GmbH in February 2022 as part of strategic expansion in protective film solutions. pro dis GmbH operates under the POLIFILM Group umbrella, strengthening the company's position in temporary surface protection films.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Berry Global Group: Berry Global is a large global manufacturer of plastic films and packaging products serving consumer, industrial, and healthcare markets. Broadly comparable to POLIFILM across packaging films, protective films, and stretch films, though at substantially larger scale and breadth.
• Amcor: Amcor is a global packaging giant producing flexible films, rigid packaging, and specialty films for food, healthcare, and consumer markets. Comparable to POLIFILM in flexible packaging films, laminating films, and label film applications, though much larger and publicly listed.
• Nitto Denko / Nitto Europe: Nitto Denko is a Japanese diversified manufacturer of adhesive tapes and specialty films including surface-protection films. Comparable to POLIFILM in adhesive-coated surface protection films serving automotive and electronics customers globally.
• Klöckner Pentaplast: Klöckner Pentaplast is a larger global producer of rigid and flexible plastic films for packaging, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Overlaps with POLIFILM in flexible films, packaging film segments, and industrial protective film categories.

Direct peers

• Taghleef Industries: Taghleef Industries is a global BOPP and CPP films producer serving packaging, label, and industrial film markets. Comparable to POLIFILM on polyolefin film extrusion technology, multi-segment product portfolio, and global manufacturing footprint.
• RKW Group: RKW is a German family-influenced manufacturer of PE and PP films including protective films, agricultural films, and packaging films. Closely comparable to POLIFILM in product portfolio, German Mittelstand origin, and customer verticals (agriculture, packaging, industrial).
• Manuli Stretch: Manuli Stretch is a specialist manufacturer of stretch films for industrial and agricultural packaging. Directly comparable to POLIFILM's POLIFILM CAST stretch film business unit and agricultural stretch films product category.
• Treofan / Jindal Poly Films: Treofan (now part of Jindal Poly Films) is a major BOPP and CPP film manufacturer serving packaging and label markets. Directly comparable to POLIFILM's Performance Films and laminating/label film segments in polyolefin film technology and application focus.
• Innovia Films (now CCL Industries): Innovia Films, acquired by CCL Industries, produces specialty BOPP and PE films for labels, packaging, and industrial applications. Closely comparable to POLIFILM in polyolefin-based label and packaging film solutions and similar end-market exposure.

Emerging players

• Lintec Corporation: Lintec Corporation manufactures specialty adhesive films and tapes for labels, automotive, and electronics surface protection. Comparable to POLIFILM in adhesive-coated film technology and automotive surface protection markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polifilmamerica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries24 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 POLIFILM