In 2016, the Fibre Packaging business unit generated sales of around 2 billion euros. It consists of three segments and sells corrugated packaging products, industrial bags and extrusion coatings for a variety of consumer and industrial applications: Industrial Bags, the world leader in bags for a variety of industrial and consumer uses, manufactures sustainable packaging solutions, optimised for high-speed filling. The products of Corrugated Packaging, which has a leading market position in central and eastern Europe, go well beyond traditional boxes to fully customised solutions. Extrusion Coatings, which is number two in Europe in high-quality barrier solutions used, provide high-quality barrier solutions ranging from food packaging to building insulation. In 2016, the unit has acquired corrugated packaging plants in Poland and Russia and opened a new industrial bags plant in Côte d’Ivoire.

“I am delighted to have someone of Erik’s industry experience take the helm of our Fibre Packaging business. With his long track record of successful leadership roles in Europe and North America, he will be an asset to our organisation and the continued growth of this part of our business,” said Peter J Oswald, CEO Mondi Europe & International.

Erik Bouts is replacing Jussi Vanhanen, who decided to leave Mondi to lead a private-equity-owned business in Finland.

Most recently, he was the global leader of Ball Corporation’s Global Metal Beverage Packaging Business. Before that, he was President of the EMEA region for Owens-Illinois Inc., a manufacturer of glass packaging products. Erik began his career at Philips, where he spent 21 years and advanced to become President and CEO of Philips Lighting North America. He then joined ICI Paints North America as the CEO of the Glidden company.

Erik Bouts attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and has an MBA from the University of Tilburg in the Netherlands. He is a citizen of the Netherlands.