Daily CSR

Sofidel's Modern and Sustainable Ohio Plant: A Key Milestone in US Expansion


09/15/2023


Sofidel's Modern and Sustainable Ohio Plant: A Key Milestone in US Expansion
In response to the increasing demand in the United States, the Sofidel tissue paper group, renowned for its Regina, Nicky, and customer brands, is making a substantial $185 million investment in its integrated facility located in Circleville, Ohio. This initiative centers on the construction of a new facility to accommodate the cutting-edge Valmet DCT 200 paper mill machine, slated to commence operations in the third quarter of 2025, boasting an annual production capacity of 70,000 metric tons.
 
With this expansion, the Circleville plant, already hosting two Valmet Advantage NTT paper mill machines, is poised to exceed a production capacity of 200,000 metric tons per year, representing a significant 50% increase. This transformation positions the Circleville facility as Sofidel's most pivotal production site on a global scale.
 
Last year, we celebrated our first 10 years in the U.S. market: 10 years of development and growth. Thanks in part to the close-knit and capable U.S. team and our excellent relationships with institutions, from the state of Ohio to the local communities that have always supported us, we open our second decade of operations in the U.S. with this investment in the Circleville plant. Today, Sofidel America has production sites in six states, and this operation will enable us to further meet the growing demand from our customers and continue to fuel our growth in this country, said Luigi Lazzareschi, Sofidel CEO.
 
The Sofidel Ohio plant represents Sofidel's inaugural greenfield investment in the United States and stands as their most advanced and environmentally friendly facility to date. Situated on a sprawling 280-acre (110-hectare) property, this plant enjoys a prime location, abundant access to water, gas, and electricity resources, and proximity to a crucial logistics center for distribution operations. The latter boasts intermodal transport systems and is within a short distance of major urban centers, all contributing to its strategic advantage.
 
Sofidel America, a subsidiary of the Sofidel Group, was established in 2012 following the acquisition of the Cellynne tissue company and two converting plants in Green Bay (Wisconsin) and Henderson (Nevada), which later relocated to Las Vegas in 2018. Sofidel America operates in seven states, including the original three mentioned, as well as Oklahoma, Mississippi, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In 2022, the United States market accounted for 26.7% of Sofidel's total revenues.