BDA advises International Paper on sale of its China foodservice business to Huhtamaki

BDA Partners is pleased to announce that its client, International Paper, the world's largest pulp and paper company, has agreed to sell its foodservice business in China to the Finland-based packaging specialist, Huhtamaki Oyj. The transaction is expected to complete in the coming months, subject to closing conditions, including governmental approvals.

International Paper's foodservice business in China is a leading supplier of premium-quality paper F&B packaging to blue-chip quick service restaurants, coffee & tea chains, and FMCG customers. The business employs 200 employees across two sites in Shanghai and Tianjin.

BDA acted as exclusive financial advisor to International Paper on the transaction.

Jeffrey Wang, Managing Director, BDA said, "We're proud to have advised on a second transaction for International Paper, and to have found in Huhtamaki a strong new owner for this business. This transaction builds further on our strong packaging practice and highlights our track record advising on MNC carve outs in Asia."

BDA Deal Team
Jeffrey Wang, Managing Director, Shanghai
Jason Song, Director, Shanghai
Lilian Gu, Associate, Shanghai
Cain Tong, Analyst, Shanghai

About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and Russia. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, it employs 55,000 people, is located in more than 24 countries and recorded net sales in 2016 of $21bn. www.internationalpaper.com

About Huhtamaki
Huhtamaki (HEL: HUH1V) is a global specialist in consumer and specialty packaging with 2016 sales of EUR2.9bn. Its operations include flexible packaging for consumer products, films for technical and industrial applications; and disposable paper and plastic packaging for foodservice operations and restaurants. Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, the company employs 17,000 employees in 76 manufacturing units across 34 countries. www.huhtamaki.com

About BDA
BDA Partners is a leader in cross-border investment banking involving Asia. BDA advises on M&A and capital raising. BDA has been consistently owned and managed by the same team since 1996. BDA has a track record of providing independent advice to blue-chip corporate and financial sponsor clients from North America, Europe, and Asia. BDA is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Dubai, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo. BDA formed a partnership with William Blair & Company in 2011. www.bdapartners.com

US securities transactions are performed by BDA Partners' affiliate, BDA Advisors Inc., a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). BDA Advisors Inc. is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and SIPC. In the UK, BDA Partners is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In Hong Kong, BDA Partners (HK) Ltd. is licensed and regulated by the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) to conduct Type 1 and Type 4 regulated activities to professional investors.