The group Paprec , France, announced this past week that it has acquired the French subsidiary of the Dutch Van Gansewinkel, located in Bethune, Pas-de-Calais. Paprec is already operating in Harnes and Quesnoy-sur-Deûle  and is strengthening its presence in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy region.

"The resumption of Van Gansewinkel France is part of Paprec's building market share strategy in northern France, focusing on  its core businesses," said Paprec President Jean-Louis Petihuguenin.

For Van Gansewinkel, the sale of the French subsidiary is a strategic decision. The Belgian group intends to ficus primarily on strengthening its leading market recycling materials, largely paper-based, position in the Benelux. In 2015, Van Gansewinkel launched a comprehensive restructuring plan to reduce debt and strengthen its equity. An agreement reached with the shareholders and financial partners has enabled the group to reduce its 60% debt position, passing it for EUR 809,320.

For more than 20 years, the French group Paprec has worked to recycle waste, focusing on products such as paper. Today the company employs 4,000-plus employees spread throughout 100 sites. It has an annual turnover of EUR 900 million. For the year 2015, Paprec announces 6.5 million metric tpy of recycled waste, of which 5.5 million metric tpy was transformed into commodities.

Van Gansewinkel France has a turnover of EUR 15 million, with a workforce of 70 people. It processes 80,000 metric tpy, half of which is paper-based.