Sept. 8, 2025 - Sofidel America has successfully started up a third paper machine, PM3, at its integrated paper mill in Circleville, Ohio. The milestone, achieved on September 4, further consolidates the Circleville mill's role as the company's largest and most important production hub worldwide, Sofidel said.
The new Valmet DCT 200 machine adds 70,000 tons of annual capacity, bringing Circleville's total output to more than 200,000 tons per year. With this expansion, Sofidel's global tissue production capacity increases to 1,983,000 tons per year.
The $185 million investment, first announced in 2023, included both the construction of the new building and installation of the state-of-the-art machine. Once fully operational, the project will also create approximately 80 additional jobs.
In a written statement, Sofidel said, "The successful startup of our third paper machine in Circleville represents a significant step forward in Sofidel's growth strategy. This achievement reflects both the strength of our U.S. operations and the dedication of the teams who made it possible.
"With this expansion, Sofidel reaffirms its long-term commitment to serving the North American market with high-quality, sustainable tissue products while supporting local communities."
The Sofidel Group, headquartered in Porcari (Lucca, Italy), is one of the leading manufacturers of tissue paper. Established in 1966, the Group is active in 12 European countries and the U.S. with over 9,000 employees and a production capacity of 1,852,000 metric tons per year (these numbers also include the acquisition of ST Paper and Clearwater Paper's tissue operations in the U.S. in 2024).
SOURCE: Sofidel
Go to a related article: Sofidel Investing $185 Million to Increase Capacity of Its Circleville, Ohio Tissue Mill - Sept. 13, 2023.