DREWSEN SPEZIALPAPIERE Acquires PORTALS PAPERS LTD,
Setting New Standards
Lachendorf, Germany / Bathford, England, 13 January 2025 – The leading German manufacturer of security papers, DREWSEN SPEZIALPAPIERE, has acquired PORTALS PAPER, a renowned British producer of high-security papers and a market leader in passport papers and identity documents. This strategic acquisition unites the expertise of two specialized industry leaders, offering the market an unparalleled range of knowledge and capabilities. In an age where counterfeit products can be created and disseminated with increasing ease, the merger of DREWSEN and PORTALS marks a pivotal development. Together, they offer an exceptionally broad range of security features for paper solutions, ensuring diverse and the highest levels of counterfeit protection. The coming together of these two successful papermaking companies will deliver significant expansion potential and business benefits for both parties, their customers, employees and shareholders, while also preserving the independence and unique strengths of each business.
AN INTELLIGENT PARTNERSHIP
Both papermakers, rich in heritage and tradition, have cultivated a strong culture of reliability and excellence, backed by solid financial performance. They have earned outstanding reputations through long-term relationships and a relentless commitment to exceeding the needs of their customers and the broader market.
This well-planned partnership is built on strong foundations and close collaboration, ensuring the same seamless service and high quality that their shared customer base have trusted for hundreds of years.
Both companies will remain and be run as individual entities, each specialising within their own areas of expertise and strengths and with a shared commitment to quality, security, sustainability and innovation.
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
The DREWSEN and PORTALS alliance provides long-term stability while setting up both businesses for success, demonstrating a continued confidence, resilience and growth within the industry.
The combination of DREWSEN's and PORTALS' technological capabilities, including both Fourdrinier and Cylinder Mould paper machines, provides clear and competitive advantages, alongside invaluable market expertise, industry knowledge, technical understanding and customer insight. Their coalition provides boundless opportunity for innovation, meeting the specific needs of the identity ecosystem.
Additional benefits include leveraging synergies to offer secure business continuity, extended product ranges, improving logistics and customer service, providing complementary offerings, and ensuring reliability of supply.
AN EXCITING FUTURE AHEAD
Matthias Rauhut, CEO of DREWSEN SPEZIALPAPIERE, commented:
“This acquisition is an exciting development and represents a new chapter for both our organisations. Driven by a clear vision and shared values, mutual trust, transparent cooperation, and a commitment to strategic collaboration, DREWSEN and PORTALS are stronger together, and we are ready to shape the future of the security paper industry. With the ability to offer both Fourdrinier and Cylinder Mould paper making solutions, we can offer our customers new and unique possibilities, allowing for tailored, innovative security paper solutions that meet the highest standards. Additionally, we offer a unique network for the best customer advice, ensuring that our clients always have access to expert guidance for their specific needs.”
Ross Holliday, Director at Portals Papers Ltd commented:
“Today’s announcement is not just a consolidation of resources, but an arrangement that will benefit our customers, our employees and for the wider the industry itself. For Portals, this partnership provides new opportunities for growth, enabling us to expand our product offerings while continuing our successful operations at the Bathford Paper Mill. I am delighted to be part of Portals ongoing journey of success.”
ENDS
For more information or any enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Gebhardt Harriet Plumb
DREWSEN SPEZIALPAPIERE | Marketing Portals | Sales & Commercial Director
Georg-Drewsen-Weg 2, 29331 Lachendorf, Bathford Mill, Bathford Hill, Bath, Somerset,
Germany BA1 7QG, England
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T: +49 5145 88 - 162 M: +44 7585 880 796
About DREWSEN SPEZIALPAPIERE
DREWSEN SPEZIALPAPIERE, based in Lachendorf, Germany, supplies high-quality speciality and security papers to customers worldwide. With a production capacity of 170,000 tons, DREWSEN offers a diverse product range, including PROSECURA Security Paper, PROFINO Print and Packaging Paper, and PROTECH Technical Paper. Through its SUSTAINABLE PAPER SOLUTIONS group, launched in 2019, DREWSEN provides innovative alternatives to plastic, supporting environmentally conscious customers. Backed by over 450 dedicated employees, this independent, family-owned company delivers exceptional customer service and generates an annual turnover of €215 million, making it a global leader in the industry.
www.drewsen.com
About Portals Paper Ltd
For over 300 years, Portals has been at the forefront of security paper technology, meeting the security and identity needs of governments and organisations worldwide. Specialising in secure substrates and components, Portals provides trusted solutions backed by a rich heritage and a clear focus on the future. With expertise in securing the foundations of the world’s passports, certificates and other vital documents, Portals is "big enough to trust, small enough to care," and is committed to delivering the highest standards of quality and reliability for its customers.
www.portalsinternational.com