CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR) today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the Stelmi Group ("Stelmi"), a maker of elastomer primary packaging components for injectable drug delivery. This strategic acquisition expands AptarGroup's portfolio of solutions that it provides to the pharmaceutical industry.

Under the terms of the agreement, AptarGroup will acquire Stelmi for an enterprise value of approximately ?165 million (approximately $207 million). The purchase will be financed with available cash. The transaction, which is subject to certain regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Established in 1964, Stelmi operates two manufacturing plants located in the Normandy region of France near Aptar's existing pharma facilities and also has an R&D center located near Paris. Stelmi had revenues of approximately ?83 million (approximately $104 million) in 2011 and has achieved EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margins that were in the range of 21-25% over the past 3 years.

Commenting on the transaction, Steve Hagge, President and CEO said, "We are extremely pleased to announce this acquisition which fits with our long-term strategy to enter new markets and applications and to seek out opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. With this transaction, we are entering a new area which is primary packaging components used in the injectable drug delivery market. There is proprietary know-how in the formulation and manufacturing process surrounding elastomer primary packaging components for pharmaceutical applications."

Hagge continued, "With the strong innovation cultures of both companies, and potential to leverage Aptar's broad geographic presence and commercial strength, we are excited about the growth potential for Stelmi."

AptarGroup intends to hold a conference call tomorrow, May 31, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. CT to discuss this transaction. Interested parties are invited to listen to a live webcast and download presentation materials by visiting the Investor Relations page at www.aptar.com. Replay of the conference call can also be accessed on the Investor Relations page of the web site.

AptarGroup, Inc. is a leading global supplier of a broad range of innovative dispensing systems for the personal care, fragrance/cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household and food/beverage markets. AptarGroup is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. For more information, visit www.aptar.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Accordingly, AptarGroup's actual results or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that exist including, but not limited to, the ability to complete the Stelmi acquisition, economic, environmental or political conditions in the various markets and countries in which AptarGroup operates, changes in customer and/or consumer spending levels; financial conditions of customers and suppliers; fluctuations in the cost of raw materials, components and other input costs; the Company's ability to increase prices, contain costs and improve productivity; changes in capital availability or cost, including interest rate fluctuations; the competitive marketplace; fiscal and monetary policy; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; direct or indirect consequences of acts of war or terrorism; and labor relations. For additional information on these and other risks and uncertainties, please see AptarGroup's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K's and Form 10-Q's. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. AptarGroup undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.