WEPA Group Invests in Two New Toscotec Tissue Machines

 

The WEPA Group, based in the Westphalian city of Arnsberg, Germany, will invest in two tissue machines with a combined total capacity of 64,000 metric tpy. The machines will be installed at the company’s mills in Lille, France, and Marsberg, Germany. By expanding the production output of tissue products, the family-owned company seeks to optimize the existing procurement and logistics structures in Europe, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the entire group.

Agreements for both tissue machines have been concluded with the Italian tissue machine supplier Toscotec. Total investment for both projects amounts to more than EUR 50 million. "As a family-owned company, we position ourselves sustainably forward-looking with the investment in two state-of-the-art machines. By expanding our manufacturing capacity, we are continuously securing our demand for jumbo reels and pass this security of supply on to our customers in the consumer and professional business market," said Martin Krengel, CEO of WEPA Group.

 

Walter Hirner, member of the Management Board (CTO), emphasizes the advantages of the new paper machines in the area of energy efficiency: "The paper industry is one of the largest energy consumers and can make a significant contribution to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using efficient manufacturing processes and economical use of electricity and natural gasoline for the production of semi-finished goods. This will save resources and optimize cost structures." Furthermore, due to the reduced purchase of jumbo reels from third party suppliers, the WEPA group can optimize the logistics flows within the European locations and compensate for increasing shipping costs.

Subject to regulatory permits, the commissioning for the new tissue machines is scheduled for the third and fourth quarter of 2015.