What Folian does

Folian GmbH (now operating as Walki Folian) is a German specialty flexographic printer focused on the food industry, producing high-quality printed, laminated, and slit flexible packaging films. Founded in 1999 by Manuela and Stefan Muschter and headquartered in Wendorf near Stralsund, with a branch in Wolfertschwenden (Bavaria), the company runs three flexographic presses delivering 8 to 10+1 color printing at up to 60 lcm (150 lpi) halftone, complemented by solvent-free lamination for 2- or 3-layer composites and laser perforation for easy-open and breathable structures. The technical stack is differentiated by being the first German printer to deploy water-based inks in film interlayer flexo printing since 2015, yielding more than 70% CO2 savings versus solvent-based processes and underpinning a sustainability narrative validated by EcoVadis Gold Medal status (top 5% globally), SBTi-validated GHG targets, and a ClimatePartner-powered CO2 product footprint calculator.

The firm operates a B2B enterprise sales motion with technical consultation embedded in the quote-to-delivery process, addressing food manufacturers across at least nine verticals: cheese and dairy, fish and seafood, snacks and cereals, meat and sausage, frozen foods, confectionery, pasta and bakery, mill products, and nuts. Approximately 150 customers are served in Germany and abroad, with named logos including FRoSTA AG and Theo Müller Group (which recognized Folian as its 2023 'international preferred supplier'). Revenue is generated on a custom job/transaction-fee basis per packaging specification, with no public pricing disclosure.

Since December 2022, Folian has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Finnish strategic acquirer Walki Group, integrated into its Consumer Packaging division for flexible packaging. Founders Manuela and Stefan Muschter continued to lead the business post-acquisition; Stefan Muschter departed in December 2024 and was succeeded by Wolfgang Thißen as Managing Director. Certifications include BRCGS (valid to October 2026), ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and FSC Chain of Custody, supporting customer onboarding for major food OEMs.

Name

Folian

Legal name

folian gmbh

Website

https://folian.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Folian GmbH (Walki Folian) is a German flexographic printing specialist producing printed, laminated, and slit flexible packaging films for approximately 150 food-industry customers across nine sub-verticals, with sustainability leadership via water-based inks and EcoVadis Gold status.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flexible Packaging Films

SIC

Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Flexible Packaging Printing & Decoration (Flexo, Gravure, Digital, Cold Foil) (IMALABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flexible Packaging Printing (Film/Poly/Paper Print) (IMALAKAG), Flexible Packaging Converting & Finishing (Slitting, Rewinding, Coating, Embossing) (IMALABAL), Packaging Inks (IMAEAHAH)

Keywords

• Flexographic printing services
• Flexible packaging films
• Food packaging
• Sustainable packaging
• Lamination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wendorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Flexographic Printing Services: Manufacturing and printing services for flexible packaging films. Customers receive high-quality printed and finished packaging films. Revenue generated through job work and per-order basis.
2. Technical Consultation Services: Comprehensive technical advice on film packaging selection, machine-related issues, and process optimization. Provided as part of customer service offering.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Folian is a flexographic printing company that produces high-quality printed, laminated, and slit flexible packaging films for the food industry. The company offers three core manufacturing services (flexographic printing in 8, 10, or 10+1 colors; solvent-free lamination with laser perforation; and roll slitting), and supplies specialized films for nine food industry segments including cheese, fish, snacks, meat, frozen foods, confectionery, pasta, mill products, and nuts. Folian was the first company in Germany to process water-based printing inks in film interlayer flexo printing, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 70% compared to solvent-based inks.

Product overview

folian is a flexographic printing company specializing in flexible packaging films for the food industry. The company operates as part of the Walki Group and offers three core services: Flexodruck (flexographic printing in 8, 10, or 10+1 colors), Veredelung/Kaschieren (solvent-free lamination and laser perforation), and Rollenschnitt (roll slitting). The product portfolio includes specialized films for various food sectors (cheese, fish, snacks, meat, frozen foods, confectionery, pasta, mill products, nuts) and sustainable solutions like water-based printing inks (reducing CO2 by 70% vs solvent-based), climate-neutral packaging certification, and CO2 footprint calculation services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flexodruck (Flexographic Printing) High-quality flexographic printing on flexible packaging films using 8, 10, or 10+1 colors on three flexographic printing machines, with halftone screen up to 60 lcm (150 lpi). Processsed primarily with water-based printing inks since 2015, enabling more than 70% CO2 savings versus solvent-based inks.
• Veredelung/Kaschieren (Lamination) Lamination of tailor-made composite films (2 or 3-layer) free of solvents, plus laser perforation for fine, precise and mechanically stable holes. Produces customized composite films for specific food product barrier and shelf-life requirements.
• Rollenschnitt (Roll Slitting) Cutting of films into standard and individual small/narrow rolls for further processing on packing machines, with edge strip coilers for segregated disposal of trim waste.
• Lid Films for Thermoforming Applications Flexible packaging films with pattern repeat shortening for stretching to center images precisely, featuring options like anti-fog, peel, pasteurization suitability, and laser perforation. Designed for thermoforming packaging lines in the food industry.
• Lid Films for Tray Sealer Applications Stable lid films with anti-fog coating to prevent fogging and ensure film webs don't tear when removed on machines. Designed for tray sealer applications in food packaging.
• Tubular Bag Films Films for dusty and powdery products with anti-static treatment to prevent product adhesion and optimized sliding friction. Designed for tubular bag packaging applications.
• Films for Stand-up Pouches High hot-tack films with heat-sealed seam strength for cereal, animal feed and larger weight packaging applications. Designed for stand-up pouch packaging formats.
• Cheese and Mozzarella Packaging Films Migration-enabled films that absorb moisture or high-barrier films that prevent moisture loss to retain aroma and consistency of cheese and mozzarella products. Designed for cheese and dairy packaging applications.
• Fish and Seafood Packaging Films Films equipped with oxygen barrier to maintain freshness and appetizing appearance of sensitive fish and seafood products. Designed for fish and seafood packaging applications.
• Snacks and Cereal Packaging Films High water vapor barrier films or metallised films for snacks and cereals packaging. Designed to meet customer expectations with appropriate barriers for product freshness and visual appeal.
• Meat and Sausage Packaging Films Films with oxygen and UV light barriers for lid films and tray sealer films ensuring safe packaging of meat and sausage products. Designed for impressive visual appearance and best protection.
• Frozen Foods Packaging Films High puncture-resistant films for low temperature packaging with laser perforation for reduced air volumes. Designed to withstand low temperatures with packaging integrity for frozen foods, including FRoSTA AG frozen bags.
• Confectionery Packaging Films Tubular bag films with partial matt varnish or metallised coating options for attractive confectionery packaging. Designed to entice and seduce consumers with appealing presentation.
• Pasta and Bakery Packaging Films Films with high water vapor barrier to retain enjoyment of bread rolls and pasta products. Designed for pasta and bakery packaging applications.
• Mill Products Packaging Films Anti-static films for dusty cereal and oatmeal products. Designed to address dust-producing properties of mill products with anti-static treatment for product integrity.
• Nuts Packaging Films Films with UV light barrier or high oxygen barrier depending on fat and oil content requirements. Designed for nuts packaging with appropriate barrier properties based on product composition.
• Climate Neutral Packaging Carbon footprint calculation and climate-neutral packaging certification through ClimatePartner partnership. Provides customers with verified carbon offsetting and transparency for their packaging supply chain.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 70% CO2 savings when processing water-based printing inks compared to solvent-based printing inks
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Walki GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Folian was acquired by Walki Group in December 2022, expanding the Consumer Packaging division for flexible packaging. The acquisition brings together shared vision of sustainable packaging solutions and long-term growth commitment. Original founders Manuela and Stefan Muschter continue to lead the company.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Walki Group: Parent company of folian and a broader sustainable packaging group with flexible packaging, insulation, and engineered materials operations across Europe — a direct overlap of capability at the group level while being folian's corporate parent.
• Amcor: Global packaging major with an extensive flexible packaging business for food and beverage; competes with folian on multi-layer films, lamination, and high-quality flexographic printing but at a vastly larger scale.
• Sealed Air: Global packaging company specialising in food protective packaging and films, overlapping with folian in fresh and protein food packaging where barrier films and lid films are key requirements.
• Mondi: Major European paper and packaging group with a Corrugated Packaging and Flexible Packaging portfolio serving food and FMCG customers — overlaps with folian in printed packaging for grocery applications.

Direct peers

• Constantia Flexibles: One of Europe's largest converters of flexible packaging for the food and consumer goods industries, with comparable flexographic printing, lamination, and slitting capabilities serving similar dairy, meat, and confectionery end markets.
• Plasbel: Spanish flexible packaging converter and Walki sister company, producing printed and laminated films for food and consumer goods — overlapping product portfolio and customer base with folian within the same group.
• Coveris: European flexible packaging converter with a strong food-packaging portfolio (films, pouches, laminates) directly overlapping folian's flexographic printing, lamination, and roll slitting service lines for food customers.
• Huhtamaki: Nordic-headquartered flexible and fibre packaging group with food-industry customers across Europe; competes with folian in printed flexible packaging films and similar sustainability-driven product programmes.
• ProAmpac: Flexible packaging converter focused on food and consumer goods, with comparable flexographic printing, lamination, and sustainable packaging development programmes targeting the same end-users.

Others

• Taghleef Industries: Global BOPP and other film manufacturer supplying printable substrates to converters like folian; relevant as an upstream supplier/technology partner in the flexible packaging value chain rather than a direct converter competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/folian-gmbh

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Folian