Germany hosts one of Europe’s most advanced packaging industries. It combines materials manufacturers with engineering companies that design the machinery used to package food, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
The top 10 packaging companies in Germany operate across several sectors:
- Glass containers
- Flexible films
- Plastic packaging
- Paper packaging
- Automated packaging systems used by global manufacturers
Ranked mainly by the most recent publicly available revenue, the leading companies include Krones, Schütz, Klockner Pentaplast, Gerresheimer, Multivac, Syntegon Technology, Südpack, Schott Pharma, Wipak and Koehler Group.
As of 2026, the leading packaging companies in Germany by revenue and market influence include:
- Krones (€5.3B)
- Schütz (~€2.7B)
- Gerresheimer (€2.04B)
- Multivac (~€1.6B)
- Syntegon (~€1.5B)
- Südpack (~€1.1B)
Together these companies supply packaging systems and materials used across Europe’s food, pharmaceutical and consumer goods supply chains.
Ranking Overview
| Rank | Company | Headquarters | FY Revenue | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Krones | Neutraubling, Germany | €5.3 billion (FY2024) | Beverage packaging technology |
| 2 | Schütz | Selters, Germany | approx. €2.7 billion (FY2024) | Industrial packaging containers |
| 3 | Klockner Pentaplast | Montabaur, Germany | approx. €2.0 billion | Plastic films & rigid packaging |
| 4 | Gerresheimer | Düsseldorf, Germany | €2.04 billion (FY2024) | Pharmaceutical packaging |
| 5 | Multivac | Wolfertschwenden, Germany | approx. €1.6 billion (FY2024) | Food packaging machinery |
| 6 | Syntegon Technology | Waiblingen, Germany | approx. €1.5 billion | Pharmaceutical & food packaging systems |
| 7 | Südpack | Ochsenhausen, Germany | approx. €1.1 billion (FY2024) | Flexible packaging films |
| 8 | Schott Pharma | Mainz, Germany | €957 million (FY2024) | Pharmaceutical glass packaging |
| 9 | Wipak | Wittenburg, Germany | approx. €600 million | Flexible barrier packaging |
| 10 | Koehler Group | Oberkirch, Germany | approx. €1.1 billion group revenue | Specialty paper packaging |
1. Krones
- Founded: 1951
- Headquarters: Neutraubling, Germany
- FY Revenue: €5.3 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: approx. 20,000
Core Segments
- Beverage bottling systems
- Packaging line automation
- Labelling and filling technology
- Recycling technology for PET bottles
Operational Relevance
Krones produces the equipment used by beverage and food companies to bottle, fill and package products.
Its automated production lines combine several steps into integrated packaging systems used worldwide:
- Bottle manufacturing
- Filling
- Labelling
- Palletising
Market Position
The company is one of the largest suppliers of beverage packaging technology globally. Its equipment is widely used by breweries, soft drink manufacturers and bottled water companies.
Strategic Direction
Krones continues investing in automation and digital production monitoring. It is also investing in recycling technology designed to support circular packaging systems.
2. Schütz
- Founded: 1958
- Headquarters: Selters, Germany
- FY Revenue: approx. €2.7 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: approx. 6,000
Core Segments
- Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
- Industrial packaging containers
- Steel drums
- Packaging logistics systems
Operational Relevance
Schütz produces large industrial containers used to transport chemicals, food ingredients and industrial liquids. Its IBC containers are widely used across manufacturing supply chains.
Market Position
The company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of industrial packaging systems used in chemical and manufacturing industries.
Strategic Direction
Schütz continues to expand reusable container programmes and recycling initiatives. These are designed to reduce industrial packaging waste.
3. Klockner Pentaplast
- Founded: 1965
- Headquarters: Montabaur, Germany
- Revenue: approx. €2.0 billion (latest available)
Core Segments
- Rigid plastic films
- Pharmaceutical blister packaging
- Food packaging trays
- Barrier packaging materials
Operational Relevance
Klockner Pentaplast produces plastic films used in pharmaceutical blister packs and food packaging trays. These materials protect products from moisture, oxygen and contamination during storage and distribution.
Market Position
The company is a global supplier of rigid plastic films. Pharmaceutical companies and food manufacturers across Europe and North America use them.
Strategic Direction
A financial restructuring was completed in early 2026. Since then, Klockner Pentaplast has focused on high-barrier protective packaging and recycled-content film technologies.
4. Gerresheimer
- Founded: 1864
- Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
- FY Revenue: €2.04 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: approx. 11,000
Core Segments
- Pharmaceutical glass packaging
- Plastic medical containers
- Drug delivery systems
- Healthcare packaging solutions
Operational Relevance
Gerresheimer produces glass vials, ampoules and pharmaceutical containers used by global drug manufacturers. These packaging components are critical for storing injectable medicines and vaccines.
Market Position
The company holds a strong position in pharmaceutical packaging. This is especially true in glass containers used for injectable drugs.
Strategic Direction
Gerresheimer continues expanding pharmaceutical packaging capacity. This meets growing demand for injectable medicines and biologics.
5. Multivac
- Founded: 1961
- Headquarters: Wolfertschwenden, Germany
- FY Revenue: approx. €1.6 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: approx. 7,000
Core Segments
- Vacuum packaging machines
- Food packaging automation
- Thermoforming packaging systems
- Medical packaging solutions
Operational Relevance
Multivac produces packaging equipment widely used in food processing facilities. Its machines vacuum seal meat, dairy products and ready meals sold in supermarkets.
Market Position
The company is a major supplier of food packaging machinery across Europe and global markets.
Strategic Direction
Multivac continues developing automated packaging systems designed to reduce waste and improve production efficiency.
6. Syntegon Technology
- Founded: 1969 (Bosch Packaging heritage)
- Headquarters: Waiblingen, Germany
- Revenue: approx. €1.5 billion
Core Segments
- Pharmaceutical packaging systems
- Food processing equipment
- Filling and sealing technology
- Automated packaging solutions
Operational Relevance
Syntegon develops packaging equipment used in pharmaceutical production and food processing. Its machines support packaging of medicines, confectionery and packaged food products.
Market Position
The company forms part of Germany’s “Packaging Valley.” This is a cluster of engineering firms specialising in packaging automation.
Strategic Direction
Syntegon focuses on digital manufacturing systems and pharmaceutical packaging solutions. These are designed for highly regulated industries.
7. Südpack
- Founded: 1964
- Headquarters: Ochsenhausen, Germany
- FY Revenue: approx. €1.1 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: approx. 1,800
Core Segments
- Flexible packaging films
- Food packaging materials
- Medical packaging films
- Recyclable packaging technologies
Operational Relevance
Südpack produces high-performance plastic films used widely in food packaging. These films help keep products fresh during storage and transport.
Market Position
The company is known for multilayer film technology used by European food manufacturers.
Strategic Direction
Südpack continues investing in recyclable film materials and packaging solutions designed for circular packaging systems.
8. Schott Pharma
- Founded: 1884 (SCHOTT Group heritage)
- Headquarters: Mainz, Germany
- FY Revenue: €957 million (FY2024)
- Employees: approx. 4,700
Core Segments
- Pharmaceutical glass tubing
- Vials and ampoules
- Pre-fillable syringes
- Drug containment systems
Operational Relevance
Schott Pharma manufactures glass containers used in pharmaceutical packaging. These products are widely used in injectable medicines and vaccines.
Market Position
The company is one of the leading suppliers of pharmaceutical glass packaging worldwide.
Strategic Direction
Schott Pharma continues expanding production capacity for glass containers used in injectable drug delivery systems.
9. Wipak
- Founded: 1951
- Headquarters: Wittenburg, Germany (major European operations)
- Revenue: approx. €600 million
Core Segments
- Flexible food packaging
- Medical packaging films
- Barrier packaging materials
- Sustainable packaging solutions
Operational Relevance
Wipak produces barrier packaging films. They protect food products such as meat, dairy and ready meals during distribution and retail storage.
Market Position
The company supplies flexible packaging materials used across the European food and healthcare sectors.
Strategic Direction
Wipak continues developing recyclable packaging films. These aim to reduce environmental impact while still protecting the product.
10. Koehler Group
- Founded: 1807
- Headquarters: Oberkirch, Germany
- Revenue: approx. €1.1 billion group revenue
Core Segments
- Specialty paper packaging
- Flexible paper packaging materials
- Thermal paper products
- Sustainable packaging materials
Operational Relevance
Koehler Group produces specialty paper materials used in packaging. Paper-based packaging has gained importance as companies reduce plastic packaging.
Market Position
The company is known for innovative paper packaging technologies used by consumer goods manufacturers.
Strategic Direction
Koehler continues developing recyclable paper packaging materials designed to replace plastic packaging.
Packaging Machinery vs Packaging Materials
Germany’s packaging sector includes two main types of companies. Some produce the machinery used to package products. Others manufacture the packaging materials themselves.
Machinery manufacturers
Machinery manufacturers such as Krones, Multivac and Syntegon design automated packaging systems. Beverage producers, food processors and pharmaceutical companies use these systems.
Material manufacturers
Material manufacturers such as Gerresheimer, Südpack and Klockner Pentaplast produce glass containers, flexible films and plastic packaging. These are used to store and transport products.
This mix of engineering expertise and materials manufacturing helps explain why Germany remains one of Europe’s most important packaging technology centres.
Impact of the EU Packaging Regulation
Environmental regulation is increasingly shaping the packaging industry across Europe. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is expected to bring stricter requirements for recyclable packaging materials and recycled content.
Germany already operates under the German Packaging Act (VerpackG). It requires producers to register packaging materials and support recycling systems.
Packaging companies are responding by developing recyclable materials and circular packaging technologies.
Paper packaging producers such as Koehler are investing in materials designed to replace plastic packaging. Flexible packaging manufacturers are researching recyclable film structures.
These regulatory changes are influencing product development across the entire packaging supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the largest packaging company in Germany?
Krones ranks first, with revenue of €5.3 billion in FY2024. It supplies beverage packaging technology used by breweries, soft drink makers and bottled water companies.
Which German packaging companies make pharmaceutical packaging?
Gerresheimer and Schott Pharma both make pharmaceutical glass packaging, such as vials and ampoules. Klockner Pentaplast makes films for pharmaceutical blister packs, and Syntegon builds pharmaceutical packaging systems.
What rules affect packaging companies in Germany?
Germany operates under the German Packaging Act (VerpackG). The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is also expected to bring stricter rules on recyclable materials and recycled content.
Conclusion
The top 10 packaging companies in Germany show how the country combines advanced engineering with large-scale packaging material production.
Companies such as Krones, Multivac and Syntegon Technology supply automated packaging systems. Companies such as Gerresheimer, Südpack and Klockner Pentaplast manufacture packaging materials used by food and pharmaceutical producers.
Together these companies support the supply chains that connect manufacturers, retailers and consumers across Europe. Their technologies and materials are widely used in several areas:
- The Germany FMCG sector
- Supermarket distribution networks
- Germany private label manufacturing
In each of these, reliable packaging plays a critical role in protecting products and enabling efficient logistics.
Sustainability regulations and recycling technologies are reshaping the packaging industry. In response, German packaging companies continue investing in automation, recyclable materials and circular packaging systems. These support the long-term development of the country’s food, pharmaceutical and retail supply chains.
Editor’s Note: Information in this article is based on publicly available company reports, financial disclosures and industry publications. Revenue figures reflect the most recent fiscal year available, primarily FY2024 unless otherwise stated. Currency values are presented in euros where disclosed.
