PitchBook

Appvion Company Profile

Appvion, founded in 1907 and headquartered in Appleton, WI, is a privately held specialty chemicals manufacturer with 390 employees that produces environmentally responsible, water-based coating substrates, direct thermal paper, and renewable fiber-based packaging solutions, backed by private equity, holding 33 granted patents and competing with firms like Coveris and Printpack.

Overview

Appvion is a manufacturer of coating substrates focused on reducing environmental footprint. The company develops water-based and environmentally responsible coating solutions, as well as direct thermal paper and film services and renewable, fiber-based consumer and industrial packaging services. This enables clients to access sustainable packaging solutions.

  • Year Founded: 1907
  • Status: Private
  • Employees: 390
  • Latest Deal Type: Buyout/LBO
  • Financing Rounds: 16
  • Investments: 6

Former Names

  • Appleton Papers
  • Appleton
  • The Appleton Coated Paper Company
  • Appleton Coated Paper Company

Ownership and Financing

  • Ownership Status: Privately Held (backing)
  • Financing Status: Private Equity-Backed

Corporate Office

825 East Wisconsin Avenue
PO Box 359
Appleton, WI 54912
United States

Primary Industry

  • Specialty Chemicals
  • Manufacturing

Comparisons

Appvion is a manufacturer of coating substrates designed to reduce environmental footprint, developing water-based and environmentally responsible coating solutions.

  • Industry: Specialty Chemicals
  • Headquarters: Appleton, WI
  • Employees: 390 (as of 2025)

Competitors

  • Coveris (Private Equity-Backed, Vienna, Austria)
  • Printpack (Private Debt Financed, Atlanta, GA)

Patents

  • Total Documents (Applications and Grants): 93
  • Total Patent Families: Not specified
  • Granted: 33
  • Pending: 3
  • Expiring in next 12 months: Not specified

Recent Patent Activity

  • WO-2021102312-A1: Water-dispersible direct thermal or inkjet printable media (Inactive, filed 22-Nov-2019)
  • WO-2021062230-A1: Direct thermal recording media with perforated particles (Inactive, filed 25-Sep-2019)
  • EP-3853035-A1: Secure substrate and method of manufacturing it (Inactive, filed 21-Sep-2018)
  • WO-2020061448-A1: Secure substrate and method of manufacturing it (Inactive, filed 21-Sep-2018)
  • US-20200019077-A1: Media adapted for both direct thermal recording and memjet-type printing (Inactive, filed 11-Jul-2018, Technology: B41M5/323)

Investments & Acquisitions

Appvion’s most recent deal was a Buyout/LBO with Decorative Films on 19-Dec-2022.

  • Decorative Films (19-Dec-2022, Buyout/LBO, Home Furnishings)
  • Nekoosa (28-Oct-2022, Buyout/LBO, Other Commercial Products)
  • Charter Next Generation (01-Jan-2005, Merger/Acquisition, Plastic Containers and Packaging)
  • BemroseBooth Paragon (23-Dec-2003, Merger/Acquisition, Printing Services (B2B))
  • American Plastics Company (30-Apr-2003, Merger/Acquisition, Plastic Containers and Packaging)

Exits

Appvion’s most recent exit was on 01-Jan-2005 from Charter Next Generation.

  • Charter Next Generation (01-Jan-2005, Completed)
  • BemroseBooth Paragon (23-Dec-2003, Completed)
  • C&H Packaging (01-Apr-2003, Merger/Acquisition, Completed)

Affiliates (Subsidiaries)

  • Appvion Canada (Peterborough, Canada, Founded 1980)
  • Decorative Films (Frederick, MD, Founded 1979)
  • Nekoosa (Nekoosa, WI, Founded 1961)
  • Appvion Retirement Plan (Appleton, WI, Founded 1944)

FAQs

When was Appvion founded?

Appvion was founded in 1907.

Where is Appvion headquartered?

Appvion is headquartered in Appleton, WI.

What is the size of Appvion?

Appvion has 390 total employees.

What industry is Appvion in?

Appvion’s primary industry is Specialty Chemicals.

Is Appvion a private or public company?

Appvion is a Private company.

What is Appvion’s current revenue?

The current revenue for Appvion is not specified.

How much funding has Appvion raised over time?

Appvion has raised $185M.

Who are Appvion’s investors?

Wynnchurch Capital has invested in Appvion.

Who are Appvion’s competitors?

Coveris and Printpack are competitors of Appvion.