Agreement reached on acquisition of Sonoco’s TFP business as TOPPAN Group accelerates expansion of sustainable packaging business in Americas

TOKYO, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TOPPAN Holdings Inc. (TYO: 7911) (TOPPAN Holdings) has entered into an agreement with Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON) (Sonoco), a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, to acquire Sonoco’s Thermoformed & Flexible Packaging (TFP) business for approximately $1.8 billion on a cash-free and debt-free basis and subject to customary adjustments.

This acquisition is highly complementary, combining the robust sales network, customer base, and solution development capabilities of Sonoco’s TFP business in North and South America with the technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities of TOPPAN Group’s global packaging business.

Sonoco’s TFP is a leading thermoformed and flexible packaging business serving a wide range of customers in food, retail, and medical verticals. TFP provides a variety of complex packaging to value-added categories including snacks, condiments, healthcare, prepared meals, fresh products, coffee, and pet food. On a pro forma standalone basis, TFP had revenue of approximately $1.3 billion in 2023.

“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to bring Sonoco’s TFP business to the TOPPAN Group. In order to accelerate our strategy to become a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, we will employ the complementary strengths of both parties to drive growth, solve customers’ needs and create significant value for our shareholders,” said Hideharu Maro, Representative Director, President & CEO of TOPPAN Holdings. “This is an essential milestone in the TOPPAN Group’s global strategy to scale the sustainable packaging business.”

This transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the first half of 2025.

The TOPPAN Group’s Strategy

The TOPPAN Group aims to be a leading solution provider addressing global issues. Under the current medium-term-strategy, the TOPPAN Group has been transforming its portfolio, and one of its key strategies is to drive sustainable packaging solutions at global scale.

The vision of the TOPPAN Group’s packaging business is “Change the World through Packaging Innovation,” and its mission is to “Foster a society focused on well-being and sustainability, while safeguarding our planet for future generations, through the continuous development of innovative packaging solutions that explore cutting-edge materials and technologies.”

The TOPPAN Group has been driving innovation in the development of sustainable packaging solutions by establishing a global supply chain from film manufacturing to packaging manufacturing and optimizing cost to meet brand owners’ needs locally and globally.

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Advisors
Houlihan Lokey is acting as lead financial advisor and Morrison & Foerster LLP is acting as legal advisor to TOPPAN. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd. is also acting as financial advisor to TOPPAN.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as lead financial advisor and Freshfields LLP is acting as legal advisor to Sonoco. RBC Capital Markets, LLC is also acting as financial advisor to Sonoco.

About the TOPPAN Group

Established in Tokyo in 1900, the TOPPAN Group is a leading and diversified global provider committed to delivering sustainable, integrated solutions in fields including printing, communications, security, packaging, décor materials, electronics, and digital transformation. The TOPPAN Group’s global team of more than 50,000 employees offers optimal solutions enabled by industry-leading expertise and technologies to address the diverse challenges of every business sector and society and contribute to the achievement of shared sustainability goals.

https://www.holdings.toppan.com/en/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/toppan/

About Sonoco’s TFP

Sonoco’s TFP business has a strong customer base and manufacturing footprint in North America and South America with approximately 4,500 employees in 22 manufacturing plants, over 700 patents, and design capability across 10 countries.

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• Homeowners are wasting £100s on professional household repairs
• Going DIY on chair and fence fixes could save Brits up to £400
• Evolution Power Tools reveals where to pick up FREE wood & cut costs down

SHEFFIELD, England, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nobody likes being faced with worn, damaged or faulty objects around the house – but before Brits rush out and spend £100s on replacements or repairs, it’s worth considering the DIY approach.

DIY enthusiasts from Evolution Power Tools reveal how common household issues can easily be fixed – without needing to spend much on multiple tools and materials in the process.

“With just weeks until Christmas, we’d much rather spend our money on gifts for loved ones instead of forking out for furniture repairs.

“We always encourage homeowners to repair and not replace. What’s more, repairing furniture yourself can be a rewarding experience and doesn’t have to cost as much as you might think.

“For example, when your chair has wobbly legs, it’s tempting to buy a replacement – or pay for professional repairs.

“It might sound cost-savvy to get a repair, but getting the professionals in can cost more than you’d think.

“The average professional chair leg repair can cost up to £300.

“But by using a mitre saw, timber, screws, glue and sandpaper, you can get the job done yourself for a fraction of the price.

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“If you don’t have a saw of your own, ask friends and family if you can borrow one.

“Plus, did you know you can pick up timber for free by browsing Facebook Marketplace or asking local construction sites if they have any scraps going?

“Then you can pick up screws, wood glue and sandpaper from B&Q for under £20 – saving you over £280!

“Similarly, a broken fence can feel like a nightmare – but you don’t have to call in a professional and pay in the region of £150.

“One solution is getting hold of some pallet wood – and this doesn’t have to cost a penny.

“Depending on where you live, your local IKEA may be getting rid of excess supplies – so you may find wood available to pick up for free.

“Then all you need is a hand saw or circular saw – which you may have, or could borrow – plus a hammer and nails, measuring tape and a level.

“Most people will have these supplies at home – which means you could save the best part of £150!”

Top 5 tips for picking up free wood

1. Ask local businesses. If you see a supermarket worker emptying a pallet of products, ask if the wood is being thrown away. If so, you may be able to grab it for free.
2. Go to your local recycling facility. Many people will dispose of excess materials, including wood, by taking it to the tip. All you have to do is ask the staff if you can take it.
3. Visit IKEA. Certain branches will make their surplus materials available for free. The scheme isn’t always running, but it’s worth keeping an eye out!
4. Check online marketplaces. Sites like Facebook Marketplace have a surprising amount of supplies going for free, as people just want to get rid of it.
5. Construction sites. These places may be glad to have someone pick up excess materials, as it saves them having to dispose of it.

“If you’ve got multiple furniture repairs to carry out, it can be cost-efficient to buy a tool with a multi-material cutting blade.

“Featuring a Japanese Tungsten Carbide Teeth blade, these versatile tools will simplify your toolkit, while allowing you to carry out DIY projects with ease

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“Our multi-material cutting tools provide clean and accurate cuts through a variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastics and even wood with nails,  

“Gone are the days of homeowners needing to constantly swap blades or purchase specialist equipment. Now, you can rely on one tool to do it all, making DIY much more efficient and enjoyable. 

“By investing in versatile tools or borrowing existing equipment, you can avoid unnecessary costs and breathe new life into your household items at a fraction of the price.”

About the company: Evolution Power Tools is a global leader in multi-material technology, with over 30 years in the industrial power tool market. 

They are part of a growing movement which encourages homeowners to feel empowered when carrying out DIY, and as such, design tools that help to tackle a variety of tasks without the need for expertise.

Evolution Power Tools never compromise on performance, and their patented technology is no exception, it is reliable with a 3 guarantee, accurate, ergonomic, and powerful for the most precise cuts on a multitude of materials.

• Pricing information accurate at the time of submission
• Cost of smaller supplies for DIY fixes have been sourced from B&Q
• We would appreciate a link to the Evolution Power Tools website within the copy, if you decide to publish the article
• Evolution Power Tools is based in the steel city of Sheffield and has a worldwide reputation for premium and professional tools.
• Their tools have been featured on TV shows including Top Gear, DIY SOS, and Grand Designs

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– Approval positions the FinTech as a leader in crypto-asset innovation and compliance in the EU, allowing it to expand its transformative digital-native payments platform and enter new markets –

Visuals available HERE

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ZBD, the innovative payments company at the forefront of digital economies, today announced it has become the first company to receive approval for the new European Union (EU) crypto-asset service provider license under MiCAR (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation). This landmark achievement represents a major milestone both in crypto-asset regulation in the EU and in ZBD’s journey to build a digital-native payments platform on top of the Bitcoin Lightning Network.

The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has approved ZBD’s license application under MiCAR, and will issue its license when MiCAR takes effect on 30th December 2024. MiCAR is a new regulatory framework that all crypto-asset service providers in the EU must comply with. Securing a license under MiCAR allows ZBD to expand its capabilities by offering a wide range of services including crypto-asset custody, administration, transfers, and—crucially—fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat exchange. It also demonstrates a strict adherence to the highest standards of compliance and consumer protection for ZBD’s EU users.

While many companies, including the world’s largest exchanges, are struggling to navigate MiCAR’s stringent requirements, ZBD’s comprehensive and proactive approach to compliance has positioned it to lead the way in crypto-asset innovation and better serve customers across the EU. MiCAR therefore presents a unique opportunity for ZBD as it begins its expansion into the EU market after establishing a strong presence in the US.

“Being the first to have received MiCAR license approval is a major leap forward for us,” says Marca Wosoba, COO of ZBD. “We’ve built a culture where compliance is at the forefront of what we do, and we see it as an enabler for new functionality, not a blocker. MiCAR gave us an opportunity to obtain licensing across all of the EU and facilitate our expansion in the region.”

This milestone aligns with ZBD’s broader vision to build digital-native payments infrastructure for the gaming and entertainment industries. Unlike traditional FinTech companies, which typically start with a fiat-first model and then add on crypto functionality, ZBD flips the script—building on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network to enable fast, low-cost, and globally scalable payments. This flexibility allows the company to find product market-fit in the gaming space, serving use cases that are simply not possible with traditional finance, such as instant reward payouts with no minimums – gamers can earn money playing games and cash out as soon as they’ve earned even a fraction of a cent.

“Having already built a stable revenue-generating business gives us a great entry point to expand what we do and move towards our vision of building a payments company that can instantly move money in any currency,” added Wosoba. “It’s not about being a crypto or Bitcoin business, it’s about being a digital-native payments business that happens to use Bitcoin on the Lightning Network as a core technology in our internal tech stack.”

ZBD took a proactive and strategic approach in anticipation of the new regulation, submitting its MiCAR registration application at the earliest opportunity. Its strong, collaborative relationship with The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), which was the first in the EU to accept and process applications, was also instrumental in achieving this significant milestone.

The license under MiCAR primes ZBD to launch more complex payment products built around Bitcoin, as well as grow rapidly in the EU in 2025. It also brings ZBD one step closer to achieving its ambitious vision as a transformative digital-native payments company. Following its ethos of building crypto-first and then adding complementary fiat functionality, the company is also in the final stages of receiving an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, which will complement the range of services ZBD can offer under MiCAR, by also granting it license to perform a wide range of fiat payments services in the EU.

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About ZBD

ZBD is a leader in payments innovation, pushing the boundaries of how we move money across the internet. Within gaming, ZBD has made a name for itself by powering instant real-money rewards for partners ranging from Square Enix to 1047 Games. Beyond gaming, ZBD enables unique payments-based use cases across interactive entertainment and adjacent industries. Whether it’s streaming money alongside audio in podcasting apps like Fountain, or implementing instant revenue sharing for each ad impression for adtech innovators like Slice and AdInMo, ZBD makes money move online as seamlessly as information.

To learn more, visit https://zbd.gg/

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