Valmet enhances Sofidel America’s ultra-premium tissue production with new Advantage ThruAir line
Sofidel America announced an investment in a state-of-the-art Valmet tissue line designed to meet the growing demand for ultra-premium tissue products in the North American market. The new Advantage ThruAir tissue line will enable Sofidel America to significantly expand its production capacity for ultra-premium consumer products in the region. Valmet’s scope of supply includes a complete tissue production line, an automation package, as well as flow control and Industrial Internet solutions.
The partnership between Valmet and Sofidel extends over three decades. Sofidel currently operates 20 tissue lines, with the most recent addition – a Valmet Advantage DCT line – successfully starting up at Sofidel’s Circleville, Ohio mill in September 2025.
“With this new, significant investment, we are putting down even stronger roots in the United States, improving our ability to meet customer demand and further enhancing our capacity to supply first-quality products through TAD technology. The Advantage ThruAir technology is a benchmark in the industry for efficient production of the excellent tissue quality which will support our growth in the United States. The successful start-up of the new line in Circleville in September was a testament to the trust and mutual respect that characterized the teamwork throughout the project. We expect the same success in the new project,” stated Luigi Lazzareschi, CEO of Sofidel.
“This is a milestone for our tissue business and the largest full-scope tissue delivery for Valmet to date. Our long-lasting partnership with Sofidel is built on shared values of innovation, expertise and teamwork. The new production line will feature the latest advancements in production efficiency, capacity and environmental performance, supporting their long-term goals. We are proud to be trusted with yet another project, working together for common success,” commented Jon Jested-Rask, Executive Vice President, Tissue Business Area at Valmet.
Start-up scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.
Technical information about the delivery
The new tissue production line will have a width of 5.6 meters and an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons. The line is optimized to minimize fiber consumption while delivering superior paper quality. Valmet’s delivery includes a complete tissue production line with an extended scope: Mill Engineering, Stock Preparation equipment, and an Advantage ThruAir 200 tissue machine. The automation package will feature Valmet DNA Distributed Control System (DCS) with integrated machine condition monitoring, Valmet IQ Quality Control System (QCS), and Web Monitoring System (WMS).
Additionally, the delivery includes Valmet’s flow control and Industrial Internet solutions, Valmet Performance Center services, as well as quality prediction and centerline applications to optimize performance and operational efficiency.
About Sofidel Group
The Sofidel Group, a privately held company established in 1966, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tissue paper for hygienic and domestic use. The Group operates in 13 countries, employs over 9,500 people, and recorded consolidated net sales of €3.225 billion in 2024 with an annual production capacity of nearly 2 million tonnes.
Sofidel America manages 14 production sites across 11 U.S. states—Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, South Carolina, and North Carolina—and has its corporate office in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
