The Navigator Company has approved an investment of around €115 million in the installation of a new tissue paper production machine at the Aveiro industrial complex, with an annual capacity of 70,000 tonnes. The unit will support the operation acquired in the United Kingdom in 2024 and strengthen the Group’s industrial integration in this segment, consolidating its growth strategy in Europe.
As part of its growth and internationalisation strategy in the Tissue segment, Navigator has made a series of acquisitions in recent years that have significantly strengthened its industrial scale, geographical diversification and competitive positioning in this business unit.
Maintaining its ambition to grow profitably and sustainably through organic expansion – with increased capacity and new product development – and selective growth through M&A operations, in 2025 the Company began a feasibility study for the installation of this new tissue paper production machine. Following this study, the final investment decision was made to install the new machine at the Aveiro site. This new equipment is intended to supply the UK operation, acquired in 2024, whose converting unit, which currently does not produce its own reels, has the capacity to process around 130,000 tonnes per year.
The strategic rationale behind the project is to create a more vertically integrated operation, balancing reel production with converting needs. This solution reduces exposure to the risk associated with purchasing external reels, improves efficiency and enhances the sustainability of the process, furthering Navigator’s position in the European tissue market. It will also enable the development of products more aligned with the needs of customers in the United Kingdom, taking advantage of sustainable integration with the forest in Portugal.
Since the construction of the first machine, the Aveiro industrial complex has been ready to receive a second tissue machine, benefiting from the sharing of assets with the existing operation. In addition, the integration of pulp at the site itself reduces the associated impact of pulp drying and transport and steam supply, and the location next to the TM1 machine in Aveiro also enables efficiency gains in terms of human resources.
The start of operation is scheduled for March 2028. The total investment amounts to around €115 million (€48 million in 2026, €53 million in 2027 and €14 million in 2028) and will benefit from support under the Portugal 2030 programme.
Photo/The Navigator Company
RELATED NEWS
