Antalis Acquired Papyrus Paper Distribution Units
Antalis signed an agreement to purchase Papyrus operations across Germany and several Central and Eastern European markets.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Business Strategy
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Antalis, a subsidiary of Kokusai Pulp & Paper Group, has reached a binding agreement to acquire the paper distribution operations of Optigroup in Germany, Switzerland, and various countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The move aims to expand the distribution capabilities of Antalis throughout the region.
Why it matters
The acquisition allows Antalis to significantly strengthen its geographic footprint and market presence in Europe. By integrating these operations, the parent company seeks to leverage larger scale in a competitive paper distribution market.
The acquired business units reported combined 2025 net sales of €215 million and employ 255 people across multiple territories. These assets will join Antalis, which currently operates in 34 countries with 120 global distribution centers.
The players
Antalis
Antalis is a leading paper and industrial packaging distribution company that operates as a subsidiary of the Kokusai Pulp & Paper Group.
Optigroup
Optigroup is a business-to-business distributor of paper and packaging products headquartered in Sweden.
Kokusai Pulp & Paper Group
Kokusai Pulp & Paper Group is a major Japanese paper and packaging conglomerate with annual sales of approximately €4.1 billion.
The details
The transaction covers paper distribution assets in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. While Antalis absorbs these operations, Optigroup will retain its business units in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
Timeline
The acquired businesses generated €215 million in net sales during 2025.
Antalis announced the acquisition agreement on October 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
This acquisition reflects a period of continued consolidation within the paper distribution industry as major players expand their regional footprints. By acquiring these specific European assets, Antalis is positioning itself to gain market share against competitors in a crowded distribution sector.
The transaction will not change operations until final regulatory approval is granted, meaning day-to-day service for existing clients remains stable for now. Following the completion of the deal, customers may eventually see integrated logistics and unified product offerings across the expanded Antalis network.
The takeaway
This deal underscores the strategy of scaling up distribution networks to maintain efficiency in a high-volume industry. Businesses operating in this sector should monitor potential shifts in supplier service models as these two major entities integrate their operations.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest industry shifts in Business Strategy.
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