Thinking of the future Sofidel

THINKING OF THE FUTURE

As the second largest group in the European paper tissue industry, Sofidel has established a reputation as the sector’s most ecologically aware company. In 2008, it became the first company not only in Italy, but within the entire paper tissue sector, to become a member of WWF’s international Climate Savers programme. Ross Davies reports.

Headquartered in Porcari, Tuscany, Sofidel was founded in 1966 during the years of Italy’s post-war economic boom. Initially serving its home market, the group began to diversify during the 1980s which saw the beginning of a number of acquisitions abroad in tandem with expansion in production—most notably, the launch of the flagship brand Regina in 1987. Today it has 27 production sites and a portfolio which includes 22 subsidiary companies.

Its workforce of 4563 employees is distributed across Europe with production sites located in Italy, Spain, Sweden, the UK, France, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Poland, Romania, Greece and Turkey. In recent years Sofidel has concentrated on expanding its coverage in the developing markets of eastern and central Europe.

Sofidel’s most notable recent investments include the acquisition of Sofidel Papir in 2010, in a move to homogenise sales in the Balkans region, and also the completion of the purchase of Comceh SA in 2011. Having previously acquired 30 per cent shares in 2010, it obtained the remaining 70 per cent in January. As one of the largest Romanian companies in the paper sector, Comceh is also ideally positioned close to the Bulgarian border, opening a gateway to the southeastern European markets.

The company also has its sights set on western Europe as highlighted by the acqui-

sition of Leicester-based LPC Group which is also active in Belgium and France. LPC’s considerable production capacity – approximately 190,000 tonnes – has contributed significantly to Sofidel establishing itself as one of the fastest-expanding operators within the paper tissue industry.

For over 20 years, Sofidel’s flagship brand has been Regina. Present in most European markets, it offers a wide range of formats including toilet paper, kitchen paper, paper napkins and handkerchiefs, and facial tissues. The company’s extensive research has allowed it to focus on high-quality products, especially concerning softness and length. One of the group’s most notable brands in eastern Europe is Soft & Easy, also represented by a vast range of products consisting of toilet paper, kitchen towels, handkerchiefs and facial tissues; particularly prevalent in Poland, it is also popular in Russia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Climate Savers

Whilst maintaining a clear and continuous investment policy, Sofidel has also led the way in terms of its ethos based on ecological transparency, accountability and sustainability. ISO-14001 certified, for a number of years, the group has identified climate change, protection of the forests and the saving of water and energy resources as paramount concerns. In addition to all Sofidel products bearing major international marks of ecological quality such as Nordic Swan (a mark of sustainability in Scandinavian countries) and Der Blau Engel (a German indicator of paper products made from recycled paper), in 2008 Sofidel became a member of the WWF Climate Savers programme.

In joining the programme, which encourages companies to voluntarily reduce CO2 emissions using innovative strategies and technologies, Sofidel has pledged to reduce emissions by 11 per cent by 2012 and hopefully by 26 per cent by 2020. Having been a member for close to three years, Sofidel also participated in Earth Hour at the end of March, a global WWF-promoted event in which millions of participants across every continent will join together and acknowledge the importance of sustaining the environment. The event has already been endorsed by a host of keynote names including Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

In fact, 2011 has been another eventful year for Sofidel all round. The group was present at some of its industry’s most important exhibitions including Europropre Paris 2011 at the beginning of April, and PLMA 2011, held in May in Amsterdam. Sofidel’s stance on environmental accountability was further highlighted at these exhibitions as the group continues to promote its belief that sustainability not only results in a cleaner environment, but a healthier business too. n