Viscofan
A Spanish multinational producer of artificial casings and packaging systems for meat and food products.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Viscofan is a Spanish food-technology and packaging company specializing in casings used by sausage, processed-meat, and other food manufacturers. Its principal business is the development and production of artificial casings made from cellulose, collagen, fibrous materials, and plastics. These products help manufacturers control the shape, size, filling, cooking, maturation, slicing, storage, and presentation of meat products. Founded in 1975 in Navarre, Spain, Viscofan initially built its business around the manufacture and sale of casing products. Rather than operating primarily as a consumer-facing food brand, it functions mainly as a business-to-business supplier whose technologies are incorporated into products sold under other companies' brands. Its customers include food processors that make sausages, cooked meats, cold cuts, hams, mortadella, pepperoni, cheese products, and related foods. The company expanded beyond Spain through a combination of acquisitions, new production facilities, commercial offices, and technical development. In 1988 it acquired IAN, or Industrias Alimentarias de Navarra, to strengthen its position in the Spanish food market. It subsequently acquired Naturin in Germany, Gamex in the Czech Republic, Trificel in Brazil, Koteksprodukt in Serbia, assets of Sweden's AB Tripasin, and assets of Teepak in the United States and Mexico. These transactions helped Viscofan develop a geographically broader manufacturing and commercial network. Viscofan's internationalization also included organic investment. The group established operations in China, opened a converting plant there, and later added collagen extrusion capacity. It created a presence in Uruguay with both corporate and manufacturing activities, expanded its plastics capabilities in Mexico, and acquired Vector businesses in the United States and Europe. According to the referenced company description, the group has production centers in 13 countries and commercial offices in 15 countries, while exporting a substantial portion of its output. Its product portfolio covers four major artificial-casing technologies. Cellulose casings are commonly used for traditionally cooked sausages and are often removed before the product reaches consumers. Collagen casings provide a standardized alternative to natural casings for fresh and processed sausages and are designed to withstand rapid stuffing, hanging, and cooking. Fibrous casings combine cellulose with Manila hemp to provide strength and consistent diameter, making them suitable for large-format products such as mortadella and pepperoni. Plastic casings are used for cooked products and include packaging formats such as shrink bags and films for meat and sliced-food applications. Viscofan has also applied its materials expertise beyond conventional food casings. In 2008 it established Viscofan Bioengineering in Germany, combining bioscience and engineering to develop collagen-based materials intended for tissue-repair applications. The group maintains collagen production and cleanroom capabilities associated with medical-grade materials in Weinheim. This activity illustrates the broader technical potential of the company's collagen and biomaterials knowledge, although food casings remain its core business. Viscofan became part of the Madrid Stock Exchange General Index in December 1986 and was previously included in Spain's IBEX 35 index. In 2015 it sold the IAN Group, reversing the earlier diversification and allowing management to concentrate more closely on casings and related technologies. Its present identity is therefore that of a specialized global supplier serving the meat-processing and food-packaging industries, with international scale built around manufacturing know-how, material science, and customer-specific production systems.
History
Viscofan was established in 1975 in Navarre, Spain, and began producing and selling casing products in the same year. Its original specialization was the manufacture of artificial casings for meat processors, a sector in which consistency of diameter, strength, handling performance, and suitability for cooking or maturation are commercially important. Over time, the company developed a portfolio spanning cellulose, collagen, fibrous, and plastic technologies. The first major expansion beyond its initial business came in 1988, when Viscofan acquired IAN, or Industrias Alimentarias de Navarra. The transaction was intended to reinforce the group's position in the Spanish food market and gave it an additional food-industry presence. Viscofan later changed the balance of its portfolio by selling the IAN Group in 2015, allowing the company to return its strategic focus to casings and related packaging activities. International growth accelerated during the 1990s and 2000s. In 1990 Viscofan acquired Naturin GmbH & Co. in Germany, adding an important European casing operation. In 1995 it acquired Gamex in the Czech Republic and Trificel in São Paulo, Brazil. Further transactions followed in 2005 with the acquisition of Koteksprodukt AD in Serbia and the assets of AB Tripasin in Sweden. In 2006, the company acquired the United States and Mexican assets of Teepak, broadening its presence in North America and strengthening its ability to serve customers in the Americas. Alongside acquisitions, Viscofan invested in production infrastructure and technical capabilities. In 2008 it expanded its cogeneration plant in Spain. The same year it created Viscofan Bioengineering, a German-based unit combining bioscience and engineering to develop collagen products for tissue-repair applications. The unit was located in Weinheim, where Viscofan also operated a collagen-casing production site and a cleanroom facility for medical-grade collagen materials. The group established Viscofan Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. in China in 2009 and opened a Chinese converting plant in 2010. In 2012 it created Viscofan Uruguay S.A. Its Asian and South American manufacturing footprint expanded further with a collagen extrusion plant in China in 2013 and another extrusion facility in Uruguay in 2014. These investments supported local and regional supply while complementing Viscofan's established European and North American operations. In 2015, in addition to selling IAN, Viscofan acquired Nanopack Technology & Packaging to extend its plastic-product capabilities and opened a plastics plant in Mexico. In 2016 it acquired Vector USA and Vector Europe. These moves broadened the group's participation in flexible packaging and related technologies rather than limiting it to traditional casing formats. Viscofan's four principal artificial-casing lines serve different stages and formats of food production. Cellulose casings are mainly used as cooking molds for traditionally cooked sausages and are commonly removed before retail sale. Collagen casings are produced from collagen derived from cattle and pig hides and are used as an alternative to natural casings for fresh and processed sausages. Fibrous casings combine cellulose with Manila hemp and are suited to large-diameter products requiring strength and uniform sizing. Plastic casings use polymer materials for cooked products such as ham, mortadella, and cheese, while associated plastic packaging includes shrink bags and films. The company became a constituent of the Madrid Stock Exchange General Index in December 1986 and was previously included in the IBEX 35. Its international network ultimately developed into a business serving more than 100 countries, with production centers in 13 countries and commercial offices in 15 according to the referenced company material. Viscofan's historical development is therefore marked by a shift from a Spanish casing producer to a global, vertically capable supplier combining materials science, manufacturing, packaging, and selected collagen-based biomedical applications.
- 2016
Vector acquisitions
[1]Viscofan acquired Vector USA and Vector Europe.
- 2015
Focus returned to casings and packaging
[1]Viscofan sold the IAN Group, acquired Nanopack Technology & Packaging, and opened a plastics plant in Mexico.
- 2014
Collagen extrusion plant opened in Uruguay
[1]The group added collagen extrusion capacity in Uruguay.
- 2013
Collagen extrusion plant opened in China
[1]Viscofan expanded its Chinese manufacturing capabilities with a collagen extrusion facility.
- 2012
Uruguay subsidiary created
[1]Viscofan Uruguay S.A. was established as part of the group's South American development.
- 2010
Chinese converting plant opened
[1]The company opened a converting facility in China.
- 2009
Chinese technology subsidiary established
[1]Viscofan Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. was established in China.
- 2008
Bioengineering unit established
[1]Viscofan launched Viscofan Bioengineering in Germany and expanded its Spanish cogeneration plant.
- 2006
North American expansion through Teepak assets
[1]Viscofan acquired the United States and Mexican assets of Teepak.
- 2005
Further European acquisitions
[1]The group acquired Koteksprodukt AD in Serbia and assets of AB Tripasin in Sweden.
Products and positioning
Specialized, technology-led, global business-to-business supplier of artificial casings and food-packaging systems.
Artificial meat casings
Cellulose casings
Cellulose casings are made from natural cellulose and are primarily used for traditionally cooked sausage products. They function mainly as production molds during filling and cooking, helping create a consistent shape and size. In many applications the casing is peeled away by the manufacturer before the finished sausage is sold to consumers.
Artificial meat casings
Collagen casings
Collagen casings are produced from collagen derived from cattle and pig hides. They provide food manufacturers with a standardized alternative to natural casings and are used in fresh and processed sausages. Their strength supports rapid stuffing, hanging, and oven cooking, while their uniformity helps processors achieve repeatable product dimensions.
Artificial meat casings
Fibrous casings
Fibrous casings combine cellulose with Manila hemp, a plant-based paper material that provides high strength and a consistent caliber. They are particularly suited to large-diameter and sliced meat products, including mortadella and pepperoni, where the casing must support processing, maturation, slicing, and presentation.
Food packaging
Plastic casings
Plastic casings use polymer materials and are mainly applied to cooked products such as ham, mortadella, and cheese. Viscofan's plastic portfolio also includes flexible packaging formats such as shrink bags for fresh or frozen meat and films used to separate sliced foods. The line extends the company beyond traditional casing technologies.
Biomedical materials · 2008
Collagen-based medical materials
Through Viscofan Bioengineering, the group developed collagen-based products intended for tissue-repair applications. The related activities are based in Weinheim, Germany, where the company also maintains collagen manufacturing and cleanroom capabilities for medical-grade materials.
Brand decisions
2015
Divestment of the IAN GroupStrategyBackground
Viscofan reassessed its portfolio and chose to concentrate more closely on its casing and packaging operations.
Action taken
The company sold the IAN Group while continuing to invest in plastic packaging through the acquisition of Nanopack Technology & Packaging and a new plastics plant in Mexico.
Aftermath
The divestment sharpened Viscofan's identity as a specialized global casing and food-packaging supplier.
2008
Creation of Viscofan BioengineeringStrategyBackground
The company sought to apply its collagen expertise to uses beyond food casings.
Action taken
Viscofan established a bioscience and engineering unit in Weinheim, Germany, focused on collagen-based products for tissue repair.
Aftermath
The initiative added a biomedical-materials activity alongside the group's core food-casing business.
2006
Acquisition of Teepak assetsM&ABackground
Viscofan was expanding its international manufacturing and commercial network, particularly in the Americas.
Action taken
The company acquired Teepak assets in the United States and Mexico.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened Viscofan's North American operating footprint.
1988
Acquisition of Industrias Alimentarias de NavarraM&ABackground
Viscofan sought to strengthen its presence in the Spanish food market and broaden its position beyond casing manufacturing.
Action taken
The company acquired the food group IAN, also known as Industrias Alimentarias de Navarra.
Aftermath
IAN remained part of the group's broader portfolio until Viscofan sold the IAN Group in 2015 to concentrate on casings and related technologies.
Sources1 sources
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