The Navigator Company has approved an investment of approximately €115 million to install a new tissue paper machine at its industrial complex in Aveiro, Portugal. The new production line will have an annual capacity of 70,000 tonnes and is expected to begin operations in March 2028.
The investment is part of Navigator’s strategy to strengthen its position in the European tissue market and to support the converting operations in the United Kingdom, acquired in 2024. The UK facility currently has the capacity to process around 130,000 tonnes of tissue per year but does not produce its own parent reels.
The new machine will therefore help create a more vertically integrated industrial structure, balancing reel production with converting capacity and reducing dependence on external suppliers. According to the company, this approach will also improve operational efficiency and contribute to a more sustainable production model.
The decision follows a feasibility study launched in 2025 as part of Navigator’s broader growth and internationalisation strategy in the tissue segment. In recent years the company has expanded its presence through acquisitions aimed at increasing industrial scale, geographic diversification and competitiveness in the European market.
The Aveiro industrial complex had already been designed to accommodate a second tissue machine since the installation of the first unit. The new equipment will benefit from shared infrastructure with the existing operation, enabling efficiencies in logistics, utilities and workforce management.
Another advantage of the project is the integration of pulp production at the site. By using pulp produced locally, the company can reduce the environmental impact associated with pulp drying, transport and steam supply while improving the overall sustainability of the process.
Navigator also highlighted that the new machine will allow the development of tissue products better aligned with the needs of customers in the UK market, while leveraging the company’s forest-based supply chain in Portugal.
The total investment of €115 million will be phased over several years: €48 million in 2026, €53 million in 2027 and €14 million in 2028. The project will also benefit from support under the Portugal 2030 programme.
