Toyo Ink SC Holdings, the Japan-based parent company of the specialty chemicals company Toyo Ink Group, on 10 March 2023, concluded a share purchase agreement along with its consolidated subsidiary Toyo Ink (Thailand) to wholly acquire Thai Eurocoat. Thai Eurocoat is a leading manufacturer of external coatings for non-printed cans in the Thai canned food market.

Following the transfer of shares, Thai Eurocoat, which is based in Samut Sakhon province, will retain its name and operate as a business unit of Bangkok-based Toyo Ink Thailand. Through the acquisition, the Toyo Ink Group will expand its regional business operations with the aim of becoming the top metal coatings supplier in the ASEAN canned food market.

Metal cans have long been used as food and beverage containers as they are highly airtight and durable for long-term storage and transportation. Can coatings are applied to the interiors and exteriors of steel and aluminum cans to preserve the quality of packaged food, beverage or other product, and to protect the metal surface appearance and integrity against abrasion.

In recent years, metal packaging has been garnering greater attention as global demand for processed foods has been strong stemming from rising populations and incomes, and a renewed focus on metal packaging due to their recyclability. As a result of these trends, the global canned food market is expected to grow by more than 130% by 2026 compared to 2020. To meet with the increase in future demand, the Toyo Ink Group aims to leverage its own technological strengths with the product commercialization capability of Thai Eurocoat.

“We are pleased to welcome Thai Eurocoat to the Toyo Ink Group family,” said Jun Mikoshiba, president of Toyo Ink Thailand. “The Group has been operating in Thailand since 1971 and began the local production of can coatings in 1988 with the establishment of Toyo Ink Thailand. Over the years, we have expanded our business by taking advantage of our ability to develop advanced resins, mainly for can coatings that require high functionality. Thai Eurocoat is expected to complement these operations and to expand our business throughout the ASEAN region. Thai Eurocoat has a solid reputation among its customers for its product customization and commercialization know-how based on a strong customer-focused approach to product development. By combining our strengths, we aim to further reinforce our capability to resolve customers’ issues with innovative metal packaging solutions that our customers will continue to trust.”