Huhtamaki
A Finnish multinational packaging company serving foodservice, retail, and other consumer-goods markets.
Last updated October 15, 2026
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Overview
Huhtamäki Oyj is a Finnish multinational packaging company headquartered in Espoo and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The company supplies packaging for food and beverages across foodservice, retail, catering, and vending, as well as packaging formats used by food, pet-food, pharmaceutical, household, and hygiene brands. Its portfolio includes disposable and foodservice tableware, paper and plastic cups, plates, food containers, flexible packaging, labels, egg cartons, fruit trays, and cup carriers. The business originated in Finland in 1920 as a confectionery manufacturer. Over the following decades it expanded into a broad industrial group with activities that extended well beyond confectionery, including pharmaceuticals, women’s clothing, and electronic components. This diversification made Huhtamäki a conglomerate rather than a focused packaging specialist. Packaging became a distinct part of the group in 1965, when a packaging division was established under the Polarpak brand. A major strategic change came in 1988, when the company decided to concentrate on one principal business area. During the following decade, Huhtamäki divested several non-packaging activities, including the pharmaceutical business Leiras and the original confectionery operations associated with the Leaf brand. At the same time, it acquired packaging companies and built the foundations of its present international structure. The result was a transition from a diversified Finnish industrial group into a company focused primarily on packaging. Huhtamäki’s products are designed for both high-volume foodservice use and branded consumer-goods supply chains. In foodservice, its offerings include coated paper cups and other disposable tableware supplied to quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, caterers, and vending operators. In flexible packaging and labeling, the company serves packaged food and drink producers and customers in adjacent consumer sectors. Its fiber-based products include egg packaging, fruit trays, and carriers for beverage cups. Sustainability is a central part of the company’s public positioning, particularly because packaging businesses face pressure to reduce material use, improve recyclability, and replace less preferred formats. Huhtamäki presents itself as a provider of packaging solutions intended to support the changing needs of food and beverage customers. Its international operations extend across more than 30 countries, with approximately 16,000 employees cited in the available reference material. North American operations are based in the Kansas City metropolitan area in De Soto, Kansas. The company remains active as a packaging-focused multinational and continues to operate under the Huhtamäki corporate identity.
History
Huhtamaki traces its origin to 1920, when Heikki Huhtamäki founded a confectionery business in Kokkola, Finland. The original company was not a packaging specialist. Its later transformation reflected the changing economics of food production and consumption: packaged food, institutional catering, takeaway meals and modern retail all created demand for hygienic, lightweight and efficient packaging. During the twentieth century, Huhtamaki diversified beyond confectionery and developed industrial businesses connected with packaging and food products. Packaging gradually became the central direction of the group. The company built expertise in paperboard conversion, plastics, flexible materials, printing, forming and molded fiber. These capabilities allowed it to supply both standardized foodservice articles and technically demanding packaging made for food manufacturers and retailers. Internationalization became a defining feature of the company’s development. Rather than serving only the Finnish market, Huhtamaki expanded its manufacturing footprint and customer relationships across Europe and later into Asia, Oceania, North America, South America and other regions. The group’s international structure enabled it to supply multinational food and beverage customers while also manufacturing close to local markets, where packaging regulations, recycling systems and consumer habits differ. The company’s modern portfolio has generally been organized around foodservice packaging, flexible packaging and fiber-based packaging. Foodservice products include cups, lids, plates, bowls, trays and other items used by restaurants, cafés, catering companies and institutions. Flexible packaging serves applications such as snacks, confectionery, coffee, pet food and other packaged products. Fiber-based activities include molded-fiber egg packaging and newer paper or molded-fiber solutions intended to replace or reduce the use of less readily recyclable formats in selected applications. Acquisitions have supported this development. In 2021, Huhtamaki agreed to acquire Elif Holding, a Turkish flexible-packaging company. The transaction increased the scale of Huhtamaki’s flexible-packaging operations and strengthened its presence in markets spanning Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 2022, the company announced the sale of its Russian operations after the geopolitical and humanitarian consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Huhtamaki subsequently focused its portfolio on its remaining international markets. Sustainability has become an increasingly important part of Huhtamaki’s strategy. Packaging can reduce food waste and protect products, but it can also create waste and resource challenges. Huhtamaki has therefore invested in lighter structures, paperboard, molded fiber, recycled inputs where technically and legally suitable, and designs intended to improve recyclability. The company’s public targets and reporting also address emissions, energy, responsible sourcing and operational efficiency. Progress is constrained by the availability of collection and recycling systems, and a package’s environmental performance depends on its full life cycle rather than material choice alone. Today, Huhtamaki is an active Finnish-listed multinational headquartered in Espoo. It operates principally as a business-to-business packaging supplier rather than as a conventional consumer brand. Its packaging is often used under the brands of restaurant chains, food manufacturers and retailers, while Huhtamaki supplies the materials, converting, design support and manufacturing expertise behind those products. The company’s long-term identity is consequently defined by the transition from a Finnish confectionery origin to a global packaging group serving the food and beverage value chain.
- 2022
Exit from Russia
[4]Huhtamaki announced the sale of its Russian operations to a local management team following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- 2021
Acquisition of Elif
[3]Huhtamaki agreed to acquire Elif Holding, expanding its flexible-packaging capabilities and geographic presence.
- 2019
Charles Héaulmé becomes chief executive
[2]Charles Héaulmé took the role of President and Chief Executive Officer.
- 1980
Corporate development toward packaging
[1]The group’s long-term diversification and industrial development increasingly centered on packaging and international operations.
- 1920
Founding of the original Huhtamäki business
[1]Heikki Huhtamäki founded a confectionery business in Kokkola, Finland, establishing the corporate origin of the group that later became a packaging company.
Products and positioning
A global business-to-business packaging partner focused on foodservice, flexible packaging and fiber-based solutions, with sustainability and material efficiency as central strategic themes.
Foodservice packaging
Foodservice packaging
Huhtamaki supplies cups, lids, plates, bowls, trays, cutlery and related formats for restaurants, cafés, catering and institutional foodservice. Products are designed for practical requirements such as leak resistance, insulation, stacking, transport, printing and food contact compliance. Depending on the market and application, the portfolio includes paperboard, molded-fiber, plastic and other material structures.
Fiber packaging
Molded-fiber packaging
Molded-fiber products are formed from paper-based or other fiber materials into protective and functional shapes. Huhtamaki’s molded-fiber activities include egg cartons and foodservice or consumer-packaging formats. These products address demand for renewable or fiber-based packaging, while their end-of-life performance depends on local collection, sorting and recycling systems.
Flexible food packaging
Flexible packaging
Huhtamaki’s flexible-packaging business produces printed and converted structures for food and consumer products. Applications include snacks, confectionery, coffee, pet food and other packaged goods. Flexible formats can provide low material use, barrier protection and efficient transport, but their recyclability varies according to the laminate, coatings, inks and collection infrastructure used in a particular market.
Paper foodservice packaging
Paperboard cups and containers
Paperboard cups and containers are supplied for hot and cold beverages, takeaway food and other foodservice uses. Huhtamaki combines paperboard conversion, forming, printing and closure technologies to produce branded and functional packaging. Development has increasingly emphasized fiber content, responsible sourcing, material efficiency and designs compatible with available recycling systems.
Controversies
2026
Greater Augusta Utility District sues paper companies over PFAS contamination of Augusta-area drinking-water wells
The Greater Augusta Utility District, which supplies drinking water to about 13,750 residents in and around Augusta, Maine, filed a federal lawsuit against Sappi North America, Huhtamaki, Kimberly-Clark, American Tissue Mills of Maine and American Tissue Corp. The district alleges that PFAS released over decades from the companies' paper, packaging and tissue facilities entered the Kennebec River and connected groundwater, contaminating wells serving the Augusta area. It says PFAS was detected in its well water in October 2021 and rose above Maine's drinking-water standard in November 2024, and seeks joint and several liability under the federal Superfund law (CERCLA) for past and future investigation, monitoring, treatment and cleanup costs. Sappi said it is reviewing the complaint, is in compliance with all environmental regulations and does not knowingly use PFAS-containing materials; the other named companies did not respond to comment requests.
Brand decisions
2022
Sell the Russian operationsStrategyBackground
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine created major geopolitical, operational and reputational risks for companies conducting business in Russia.
Action taken
Huhtamaki announced the sale of its Russian operations to a local management team.
Aftermath
The sale ended Huhtamaki’s direct operations in Russia and reduced the group’s exposure to that market.
2021
Acquire Elif HoldingM&ABackground
Huhtamaki sought to strengthen its flexible-packaging platform and expand its presence in markets served by Elif.
Action taken
The company announced an agreement to acquire Elif Holding, a Turkish flexible-packaging producer.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Huhtamaki’s flexible-packaging capacity and geographic footprint.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Greater Augusta Utility District sues paper companies over PFAS contamination of Augusta-area drinking-water wells[6]
Reported:
The Greater Augusta Utility District, which serves drinking water to about 13,750 residents in and around Augusta, Maine, filed a federal lawsuit against Sappi North America, Huhtamaki, Kimberly-Clark, American Tissue Mills of Maine and American Tissue Corp., alleging that PFAS released from their paper, packaging and tissue facilities over decades entered the Kennebec River and connected groundwater and contaminated the wells serving the Augusta area. The district alleges PFAS was detected in its well water in October 2021 and rose above Maine's drinking-water standard in November 2024, and it seeks to hold the companies jointly and severally liable under the federal Superfund law (CERCLA) for past and future investigation, monitoring, treatment and cleanup costs. Sappi said it is reviewing the complaint, stating it is in compliance with all environmental regulations and does not knowingly use PFAS-containing materials; the other named companies did not respond to comment requests.
Greater Augusta Utility District sues four paper mills over PFAS in drinking water[7]
Reported:
The Greater Augusta Utility District filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 7, 2026, in U.S. District Court against paper manufacturers Sappi North America Inc., Huhtamaki Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corp., and American Tissue Corp. with its subsidiary American Tissue Mills of Maine, seeking to recover the costs of filtering PFAS from Augusta's public drinking water. The district alleges the mills' PFAS discharges commingled over decades to pollute the Kennebec River watershed and contaminate its Riverside wells, which were shut down after 2021 testing showed PFAS above Maine's drinking water limit.
Huhtamaki acquires full ownership of its Polish paper bag joint venture[8]
Reported:
Huhtamaki acquired full ownership of its Polish joint venture, Huhtamaki Smith Anderson sp. z o.o., from Smith Anderson Group Ltd.
Huhtamaki completes acquisition of Elif[9]
Reported:
Huhtamaki completed its acquisition of Elif, a flexible packaging supplier operating in Turkey and Egypt, following full approval from the Turkish competition authority.
Huhtamaki funds river-waste collector project with RiverRecycle and VTT[10]
Reported:
Huhtamaki partnered with RiverRecycle and VTT on technology to address floating river waste, donating €600,000 to fund development and piloting of a river-waste collector. The collector is operational on Mumbai's Mithi River and is expected to collect waste there for the next 12 months.
Huhtamaki announces acquisition of Elif[11]
Reported:
Huhtamaki announced its acquisition of flexible packaging supplier Elif. The transaction was subject to approval by competition authorities in Turkey and was expected to close after regulatory approval.
Huhtamaki and Syntegon launch Push Tab paper packaging[12]
Reported:
Huhtamaki and Syntegon announced Push Tab paper, a paper-based tablet blister packaging solution made from renewable FSC-certified paper for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.
Huhtamaki completes acquisition of Hihio-Art packaging assets[13]
Reported:
Huhtamaki completed the acquisition of Jiangsu Hihio-Art Packaging Co. Ltd.'s assets in China. The acquired business was incorporated into Huhtamaki's Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania reporting segment as of June 11, 2021.
Huhtamaki agrees to acquire Jiangsu Hihio-Art Packaging assets[14]
Reported:
Huhtamaki entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Jiangsu Hihio-Art Packaging Co. Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer of paper bags, wraps and folding carton packaging. Completion was expected by the end of the third quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.
Huhtamaki completes acquisition of Laminor[15]
Reported:
Huhtamaki completed its acquisition of full ownership of Laminor S.A., its Brazilian joint venture company. The additional shares were acquired for approximately EUR 30 million.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources19 sources
- 1Huhtamaki: Our historyhuhtamaki.com
- 2Huhtamaki: Leadershiphuhtamaki.com
- 3Huhtamaki to acquire Elifhuhtamaki.com
- 4Huhtamaki to sell its Russian operationshuhtamaki.com
- 5Huhtamaki corporate websitehuhtamaki.com
- 6Greater Augusta Utility District sues paper companies over PFAS contamination of Augusta-area drinking-water wellsfox23maine.com
- 7Greater Augusta Utility District sues paper companies over PFAS contamination of Augusta-area drinking-water wellspressherald.com
- 8Huhtamaki收购其波兰纸袋合资企业全部所有权finanznachrichten.de
- 9Huhtamaki完成对Elif的收购finanznachrichten.de
- 10Huhtamaki与RiverRecycle及VTT合作资助河流垃圾收集器项目finanznachrichten.de
- 11Huhtamaki宣布收购Elifpackagingnews.co.uk
- 12Huhtamaki与Syntegon推出Push Tab纸质包装finanznachrichten.de
- 13Huhtamaki完成收购Hihio-Art包装资产finanznachrichten.de
- 14Huhtamaki 同意收购江苏海皇包装资产finanznachrichten.de
- 15Huhtamaki完成对Laminor的收购finanznachrichten.de
- 16Huhtamaki宣布任命可持续发展与传播高管finanznachrichten.de
- 17Huhtamaki完成对Everest Flexibles业务的收购finanznachrichten.de
- 18Huhtamaki completes acquisition of Eliflesprom.com
- 19Huhtamaki Launches 'Push Tab' Paper, a Renewable Paper-Based Tablet Packagingpaperage.com
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