Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG has signed an agreement to fully acquire POLAR, in a move aimed at strengthening its post-press offering for packaging and label production.
Announced on 1 July 2026, the agreement will see Heidelberg take over the future production of POLAR machines and systems, while development will be integrated into Heidelberg’s organisation. The company said the step follows the previous integration of POLAR’s technology, brand, sales and service activities.
For packaging printers, folding carton producers and label converters, the acquisition adds control over equipment used after printing. POLAR’s portfolio includes systems for loading, jogging, cutting, die-cutting, unloading and banding, covering key finishing stages for paper, board and label applications.
Heidelberg said POLAR systems will remain part of networked production environments across the post-press process. Service, support and sales processes for customers will continue unchanged.
“By integrating the businesses of manroland sheetfed and POLAR, HEIDELBERG is strengthening its leading position in the printing and packaging industry,” said Jürgen Otto, CEO of Heidelberg. “We are consistently expanding our value chain and thereby creating added value for our customers.”
The production transition will take place in stages. Heidelberg said POLAR’s current production site in Hofheim will not be available in the long term following its sale, giving the company time to prepare integration into its production network.
Heidelberg and POLAR have worked together since the 1950s. The company said the full integration of development, production, sales and service will support further work on automation and workflow integration for customers.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. The company also confirmed that its transaction involving manroland sheetfed’s lifecycle business and global sales and service companies was completed at the beginning of July.