Equistone acquires coating specialist Sihl

Funds managed by Equistone Partners Europe have entered into an agreement for the acquisition of a majority stake in the Sihl Group, alongside its current management, from Italian business Diatec Holding. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of coated papers, films, and fabrics and operates on a global scale.

The Sihl Group has specialised in the coating of paper, films, and fabrics for over 100 years, nowadays primarily for digital printing, and has roots reaching back over 500 years. With factories in Bern, Switzerland, and Düren, Germany, a logistics and converting centre in Fiskeville, USA, and an extensive network of distribution, the company is one of the leading manufacturers of coated and converted papers, films, and fabrics.

The completion of the transaction is subject to competition authority approval.

Lenz & Staehelin is advising Equistone in this transaction. The team is led by Andreas Rötheli (M&A lead) and includes partners Marcel Tranchet (Banking and Finance) and Stephan Erni (M&A) as well as associates Roman Graf (M&A), Pascal Genoud (Banking and Finance) and Adrien Alberini (Competition).