April 24, 2025 14:02

Austrian insulation specialist Austrotherm has entered the Italian market with the acquisition of the Poron Group, a family-owned company led by the Cerù family and active in the production and distribution of expanded polystyrene (EPS) products for packaging and thermal insulation.
Earlier this year, Poron began distributing Austrotherm’s XPS products across Italy.

Headquartered in Nettuno, near Rome, Poron operates eight production facilities in Italy. In 2024, the company reported revenues of €52 million and employed about 170 people.

The deal—financial details of which have not been disclosed—is expected to close during the summer, pending antitrust approval.

Despite the change in ownership, the Cerù family, which has run Poron since 1962, will continue to manage the company, ensuring business continuity. The well-established Poron brand will also remain in use, retaining its strong reputation in the Italian market.

In addition to insulation materials, Poron will continue to manufacture EPS-based solutions for industrial packaging, the horticulture sector and food packaging applications, including containers for ice cream, fish and mozzarella—broadening Austrotherm’s product portfolio.

Austrotherm operates around 30 production sites across Europe, employing 1,400 people and generating €444 million in revenue in 2024.
“With eight production facilities across Italy, Poron offers an efficient manufacturing and distribution network, making it the ideal platform for Austrotherm’s entry into the Italian market and further expansion in Europe,” said Heimo Pascher, CEO of the Austrian group. “Moreover, as a family-run company, we share common values and corporate culture, which further reinforces the strength of this partnership.”

In the photo, from left to right: Paolo Cerù, chairman of the Poron Group; Heimo Pascher, CEO of Austrotherm; Maria Chiara Cerù, CFO of Poron; and Alessandro Augello, CEO of Poron.

© Polimerica -  Reproduction prohibited, all rights reserved