Since 1910, Semoulin Packaging has embodied an extraordinary human and industrial adventure. Passed down from generation to generation, this Belgian family business has weathered the ages, always driven by innovation, a passion for paper, and a strong family spirit. Let’s take a look back at 115 years of history!
I. 1910-1945 : Paper in the Blood
It all began in Thulin, in Achille Semoulin’s Chevrolet. The son of a paper maker, he traveled the roads delivering rolls of brown paper, used for butter and the iconic cone-shaped bags for fries—our national pride. His wife Berthe handled the accounting, and together, they laid the foundation for a resilient artisanal business, even during World War I.
In 1928, their son Jules took over and introduced the first bag-making machines. Despite the 1933 economic crisis, the company doubled its turnover and began pioneering industrialization. Paper became more than a material—it became a field for experimentation.
II. 1945-1980 : Innovating to Stand Out
Just after the war, Jules Semoulin bet on a revolutionary innovation: rotogravure printing, until then reserved for publishing. It was a first in packaging in Europe! This period marked growth and structuring, with eight new buildings erected in just twelve years.
In the 1960s, the third generation took the stage: Freddy and Alain Semoulin. One managed the business, the other the mechanics. Together, they invested in new machines, refined internal processes, and cultivated a culture of excellence. They didn’t just buy machines—they designed them. And it was this technical expertise that set them apart.
III. 1983-2010 : The Fourth Generation Takes Semoulin Global
The 1980s saw the arrival of Freddy and Alain’s sons: Patrick, Yves, Jacques, François, and Benoit. This handover gave the company fresh momentum. The factory’s surface area doubled, an R&D department was created, and state-of-the-art machines like the Triumph and Comexi were introduced.
One standout innovation? In 1989, Semoulin Packaging developed a double-ply paper bag with a cotton window—a world first. During the 2000s came film-window rolls. In 2005, the company adopted a new name to better reflect its mission: Semoulin Packaging.
IV. Since 2010 : Growth, Sustainability, and Leadership
In 2011, Semoulin Packaging joined the Binola family group, strengthening its international footprint, particularly in Africa. This synergy opened a new era of innovation and competitiveness.
Between 2013 and 2020, the site expanded again, with increasingly advanced equipment. In 2018, the film-window roll for vertical form-fill machines was launched—another European first.
The company earned BRC certification in 2016, a testament to its unwavering quality commitment. At the same time, Semoulin ramped up its environmental efforts: FSC/PEFC-certified papers, water-based inks, solar panels, heat recovery systems… everything is designed for sustainable production.
V. 2025 : A Hundred Experts Dedicated to Sustainable Packaging
Today, Semoulin Packaging includes 50 professions, 100 employees, hundreds of millions of bags produced each year, and a presence in over ten European countries. The company is recognized as a leader in flexible paper packaging.
Its mission? To design innovative and sustainable solutions—without ever betraying the family and artisanal DNA that gave it life 115 years ago.
Semoulin Packaging, a future that shines brighter then ever.
Behind every Semoulin bag lies over a century of passion, legacy, boldness, and innovation. This industrial saga proves that tradition and modernity, local roots and international reach, technical mastery and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Semoulin Packaging — creating sustainable packaging for 115 years… and for many more to come!
