WEPA Group announced plans to install a new tissue paper machine, along with two converting lines, at the company's production site in the town of Bridgend, South Wales, UK. A complete modernization of the palletizing of finished products at the facility is also part of the project.

The new tissue machine will have a production capacity of 70,000 tons per year.

"The United Kingdom is a very important strategic market to us," explained Martin Krengel, CEO of the WEPA Group. "We want to further grow here to continue to support our partners' growth and to meet their quality and most importantly sustainability expectations in the best possible way in the future as well."

Harm Bergmann-Kramer, COO of the WEPA Group, added, "The goal of the investment is to increase capacity, efficiency and sustainability at our production site in Bridgend."

As a result of the new machine and converting equipment, the amount of water and energy needed for the paper production process will be reduced significantly, while waste will be minimized during converting. Furthermore, the new paper tissue machine will allow an increased amount of recycled hygiene paper to be produced at the site.

WEPA said the project shall be realized within the next two years.

The Bridgend plant produces toilet paper and kitchen towels for the British consumer market. It employs approximately 345 people and has been part of the WEPA Group since 2013 — initially as a joint venture before being fully acquired in 2018.

With more than 4,000 employees, the WEPA Group manufactures hygiene products such as toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and napkins at 14 European sites. WEPA is among the three largest European manufacturers and an expert in the production of hygiene paper from recycled fibre. Its annual turnover is roughly 1.6 billion euros.

Source: WEPA