Essentra Regulatory News (ESNT)

ESSENTRA PLC

A leading international supplier of speciality plastic, fibre, foam & packaging components

ACQUISITION OF ABRIC BERHAD'S MAJOR OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES

Essentra plc ("Essentra" or "the Company") today announces that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of the major operating subsidiaries of Abric Berhad ("Abric") for RM 146m (approximately £28m), on a cash free, debt free basis. The consideration, which is subject to customary adjustments for net debt and working capital, is payable on completion of the transaction and will be funded from the Company's existing facilities. Completion is subject to customary closing conditions, including certain regulatory clearances and approval from Abric's shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting, which are anticipated to be satisfied during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Abric is a global leading manufacturer and distributor of security sealing products and solutions for use in a diverse range of growing end-markets. These include healthcare, manufacturing, energy, retail, transportation and automotive. With low-cost manufacturing facilities in Malaysia and Thailand, Abric's distribution network additionally covers 88 countries, with a strong focus on Asia Pacific which accounts for c. 40% revenue.

For the year ended December 2013, Abric generated revenue of RM 79.5m (c. £15m). The transaction is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing, and will be reported under the Company's Component & Protection Solutions division.

Commenting on the acquisition, Colin Day, Chief Executive, stated:

"With a strong market position and an experienced management team, Abric is a compelling strategic fit for Essentra. Not only is its product portfolio applicable to a broad range of attractive end-markets and is highly synergistic with our manufacturing and distribution channels, Abric also significantly expands the division's presence in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region."

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Notes to Editors

Essentra plc is a FTSE 250 company and a leading international supplier of speciality plastic, fibre, foam and packaging products. Through its four principal operating divisions, Essentra focuses on the light manufacture and distribution of high volume, essential components which serve customers in a wide variety of end-markets and geographies.

Component & Protection Solutions

The Components business is a global market leading manufacturer and distributor of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items. Operating units in 26 countries serve a very broad industrial base of customers with a rapid supply of primarily plastic products for a variety of applications in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics and construction.

The Pipe Protection Technologies business specialises in the manufacture of high performance innovative products from commodity resins to engineering-grade thermoplastics and polymer alloys for use in a range of end-markets. Locations in four countries, combined with a wide distributor network, serve customers around the world.

Porous Technologies

A global market leading developer and manufacturer of custom fluid handling components, engineered from a portfolio of technologies that includes bonded and non-woven fibre, polyurethane foam and porous plastic. Representing leading innovations used in healthcare, consumer and industrial applications, its enabling components are found in a wide range of products from medical diagnostics tests to advanced wound care pads, inkjet printer cartridges, writing instruments, clean room wipes and air fresheners. Customers in over 56 countries are served from six manufacturing facilities with research and development centres supporting the division globally.

Packaging & Securing Solutions

A leading global provider of packaging and securing solutions to a diversified blue-chip customer base. The division focuses on delivering value adding innovation, quality and service to customers through a range of cartons, tapes, leaflets, foils and labels for the healthcare, consumer and specialist packaging, point of sale and paper & board industries. The division is also a leading supplier of authentication technologies and identity solutions. Customers in over 100 countries are served from facilities operating in ten countries.

Filter Products

The only global independent cigarette filter supplier. The nine worldwide locations, including a UK-based research facility and three regional development centres provide a flexible infrastructure strategically positioned to serve the tobacco industry. The division supplies a wide range of value adding high quality innovative filters, packaging solutions to the roll your own sector and analytical laboratory services for ingredient measurement for the industry.

Other

The Extrusion business is a leading custom profile extruder located in The Netherlands and offers a complete design and production service. One of the first companies to extrude plastics in 1956, it is now one of Europe's most advanced suppliers of co-extrusions and tri-extrusions to all branches of industry.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Essentra's global network extends to 33 countries and includes c. 5,700 employees, 42 principal manufacturing facilities, 64 sales & distribution operations and 5 research & development centres. For further information, please visit www.essentra.com.