SCA Inaugurates First Greenfield Tissue Mill in Russia in 30 Years

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SCA, Sweden, recently inaugurated Russia's first Greenfield tissue mill in 30 years, located in the Sovetsk, Tula region, some 200 kilometers south of Moscow. The tissue machine has an estimated production capacity of 30,000 metric tpy and will use recycled paper. The Sovetsk mill is SCA's second tissue mill producing hygiene products in Russia and the first investment project in the Tula region. It has about 250 employees. Construction of the Sovetsk Tissue Mill, which has two production lines, began in 2007.

The Russian and CIS market is one of the most promising for SCA's business development, the company notes. SCA began working in Russia in 1994 through distributor Tambrands. In 1996, the SCA representative office was opened in Russia; and in 1997, SCA Hygiene Products Russia – a subsidiary SCA company in Russia and CIS for personal care brands Libero, TENA, and Libresse; and tissue brands Zewa and Tork – was established.

SCA manufactures Zewa tissue products in Svetogorsk and Kamennogorsk (Leningrad region) and in Sovetsk. The company's Personal Care factory, located in the town of Veniov, Tula region, will soon begin Libero and TENA production.

Mats Berencreutz, president of SCA Tissue Europe, said during the new mill's inauguration ceremony that "with the opening of this new greenfield tissue mill, we can now realize our growth plans for SCA's European tissue operations. We are one step closer to growing our business in Russia and now have all the elements in place to do so. We have an impressive manufacturing footprint throughout Europe. In addition, we have highly skilled and committed personnel, which will allow SCA to expand from our current base."

(l-r) Timofei Sokolenko, country manager Russia and CIS; Alexander Evteev, vice governor, Tula Region; Mats Berencreutz, SCA Tissue Europe; Martin Aberg, minister, Economic Affairs, Embassy of Sweden, Moscow, Russia