Council Greenlights £100 million WEPA UK Tissue Capacity Expansion Project

The German tissue giant WEPA is set for growth in the UK. The company is considering the possibility of expanding existing operations at its Bridgend paper mill in Llangynwyd and in February submitted a planning application to the Bridgend County Borough Council. The council approved the project in late June.

According to the planning application, WEPA's Bridgend project provides for the installation of a second tissue machine, a new pulp storage area for bales, a bale handling area, a new sludge press building, a paper machine building for the second line, a converting extension, an auxiliary material storage area, a high-bay storage warehouse with a capacity for some 35,000 pallets and a shipping area for finished products.

Construction work is planned to start in Q2 this year. The construction and commissioning phase of the proposed plant is expected to last approximately 63 months. "The company intends to invest approximately £100 million [$127 million] in expanding the business and to produce some 250 tonnes/day or 75,000 mtpy," the planning application said.

The Bridgend paper mill was built in 1950 and has passed through several owners. In 2018 WEPA, which used to run the site as a joint venture with Northwood, acquired the remaining part of the business from its jv partner.

The mill currently employs 267 people and can produce some 55,000 mtpy of tissue. It is estimated that the investment project will create around 74 new jobs.

"With the coronavirus pandemic still in effect, this news could not have come at a better time. Not only does the expansion secure almost 270 jobs, it is generating 74 new roles as well as creating around 100 more for the construction of the new facilities. The Bridgend paper mill is one of the county borough's oldest and longest-standing employers, and this significant investment indicates that relationship is destined to continue for many years to come," Richard Young, cabinet member for communities, was quoted as saying in the local press.

Back to Tissue360 Newsletter