The CEO of Colep Packaging reveals that he will invest in Poland and expects to double production in Barcelona. A third production line in Mexico will be operational in the second half of this year.
Colep Packaging is on a growth trajectory. Last year, it exceeded the €140 million in sales recorded in 2024, and the outlook for 2026 is also one of growth, driven by investments and increased capacity at its factories in Mexico, Poland and Barcelona (Spain). In an interview with the ECO dos Fundos podcast, CEO Paulo Sousa revealed that “the estimate is that Poland will grow by around 30% over the next two years” and, in two or three years, will have “double” what was achieved in 2025.
“I predict that, if there is no crisis or anything like that, 2026 will be another positive year of growth for Collep Packaging, both in European markets and in our ventures outside European markets”, the manager told ECO dos Fundos, ECO’s fortnightly podcast on European funds.
After introducing a new business segment about a year and a half ago, Paulo Sousa emphasises that the factory in Poland is “currently undergoing expansion”. Previously, the factory only worked with aerosols; now, it works with paint and coating or industrial packaging. “We have additional investments, as we have captured some business in this area. We are going to invest in Poland once again to increase our capacity and meet market needs”, he explained, adding that demand in this segment “is no coincidence”.
“There is, in fact, a transfer of the entire paints and coatings industry to Poland, or surrounding areas, in preparation for the reconstruction of Ukraine”, he said. “Sooner or later, Ukraine will have to be rebuilt, and therefore there are already customers in the varnish and paint sector who are beginning to prepare with these production units to be close to that market”, the manager pointed out.
Can you already give us an idea of the results for 2025? Was it a good year?
It continues to be a year of growth in terms of our top line, both in the markets where we already operated and in new markets. In 2024, we started operations in Mexico and continued operations in Barcelona. These are operations that are developing and having positive results on our top line. There is growth and more growth is expected in the coming years.
When will the production unit in Mexico, which you are developing jointly with the Argentine group Envases, be ready?
The second line is currently in operation and the third line is being assembled. It will be fully operational during the second half of 2026. We have been supplying customers in these markets since September last year.
Is this also a way of getting around tariffs, i.e. by relocating parts of production?
Not that one in particular. There is a real need for the type of packaging we produce in the Central American market, from Mexico, Colombia, now Venezuela, with possibilities, and other countries in Central America. Essentially, 90% of this factory’s production goes to Central America. There will be 10% that will probably go to the United States, but that is sporadic. I believe that it is more likely that we will continue to supply the United States through Mexico, not least because the governments will eventually align themselves and come to an understanding. But yes, there are other opportunities that may make sense, particularly at European level.
Such as?
The continuation of these tariffs and the continued possibility of external producers entering the European market may cause some companies, whether in packaging or other sectors, to seek other markets in which to set up their production facilities in order to benefit from cheaper raw materials and continue to be able to enter the European market.
Given the context we are discussing, you mentioned that 2025 was a good year. Did you exceed the sales of 149 million recorded in 2024?
Yes.
Can you tell me how much you sold last year?
Not yet. I don’t have the final figures yet, so I can’t say.
Will it still be possible to see further increases in 2026?
Right now, what we have been working on is continuing to gain market share and remaining a relevant player in the markets we operate in. So, I expect that, if there is no crisis or anything like that, 2026 will be another positive year of growth for Collep Packaging, both in European markets and in our ventures outside Europe. The consolidation of our operation in Mexico will bring us more results, because basically in 2025 we were only selling part of our production, so we will be able to sell more of that production.
Are there plans to increase production at the factory in Poland or to invest more so that the factory can increase production?
Yes, the factory is currently undergoing expansion. About a year and a half ago, we brought a new business segment to the factory. It used to be a factory that only worked with aerosols, but now it works with our paint and coatings or industrial packaging. And we have additional investments, since we have captured some business in this area. We are going to invest in Poland once again to increase our capacity and meet market demand.
Can you give us some figures?
The estimate is that Poland will grow by around 30% over the next two years.
And for Barcelona, are there also prospects for increased production?
We acquired Barcelona in its entirety in 2024 and installed another production line in 2025. The estimate is that in the next two to three years we will be able to double our production in Barcelona. The teams are being put together. It’s a process that takes some time to form teams, more than perhaps others we have. The size of the organisation does not allow us to split up teams, so it takes some time. But yes, the idea is that in two or three years’ time we will have around double what we did in 2025.
Are the new customers you have acquired in Poland known?
Yes. Some are part of our customer portfolio in certain regions and, due to the good service we provide in those regions, we are asked to sell in other areas as well, particularly in areas that are growing. And Poland, in paints and coatings, is no coincidence. There is, in fact, a transfer of the entire paints and coatings industry to Poland, or surrounding areas, already in preparation for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Sooner or later, Ukraine will have to be rebuilt, and therefore there are already customers in the varnish and paint sector who are beginning to prepare with these production units to be close to that market.
Part of the growth comes from this, and part comes from new customers. Customers who are either competitors or customers who are entering the market and expanding their ranges, and who tend to seek support from a professional company that can guarantee they have a product on the market.