Chesapeake to buy contract packer Cortegra

Chesapeake Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Packaging has agreed to buy Cortegra Group, a US-based contract producer of packaging and leaflets, from current owner Menasha Corp.

Cortegra operates two production facilities dedicated to pharmaceutical and healthcare customers, making patient information leaflets, self-adhesive labels, folding cartons, and employs around 150 people. Chesapeake said the acquisition would add capacity to its current network of three US production facilities, and extend its product range.

Cortegra operates a brand authentication division which offers a number of security feature to the drug industry, including integrated micro-printing, holography, colour-shifting inks, varnishes, taggants, threads, frangible papers and digital watermarks. 

In 2008, Cortegra forged a partnership with French company Signoptic to become the US distributor of the latter's authentication system based on the unique pattern or 'fingerprint' of fibres in paper or cardboard used in packaging. The technology can be used to identify counterfeit and diverted product in the field.