Global tissue paper manufacturer Sofidel officially opened its seventh U.S. plant as part of an effort to meet increased consumer demand.

The company invested $360 million in the 1.8 million-square-foot facility in Inola, Oklahoma, outside of Tulsa. The site includes a paper mill and converting plant to turn pulp into finished tissue paper, paper towels, toilet paper, and napkins, primarily for large commercial retailers.

Company officials said the integrated facility features advanced technology and automated machinery to produce 120,000 tons of tissue per year, including two Toscotec paper mill machines, 14 converting lines, advanced reeling technology, and laser-guided vehicles that transfer finished goods to its warehouse.

The facility employs 300 workers, and a second construction phase could double its capacity and workforce.

"The U.S. market is fundamental for the growth of the Sofidel Group and the new plant, enabling an enhanced production capacity and a further improvement of the geographical coverage, strengthens our position, and creates the conditions for further growth," Sofidel Group CEO Luigi Lazzareschi said in the announcement.
The facility is Sofidel's second new U.S. plant, joining a facility outside Columbus, Ohio, that opened in 2018. The company also operates established facilities in Florida, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Source: Thomas Industry