Sofidel completes its 14 million euro tissue machine modernization at the Roanne plant

Upgrading legacy assets for energy efficiency

Sofidel has officially completed the comprehensive modernization of its PM1 tissue machine at the Roanne facility in France. The project, backed by a €14 million investment initiated in 2025, breathes new life into a production line that originally dates back to 1985, aligning it with the Italian group's current operational and environmental standards.

The core of this technological overhaul, supplied by Toscotec, focuses heavily on the dry section of the machine. Sofidel has integrated a new TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer paired with a TT NextPress shoe press. This specific configuration is engineered to optimize dewatering, thereby increasing post-press dryness and preserving paper bulk. By maximizing water removal before the thermal drying phase, the mill significantly reduces its thermal energy consumption.

Targeting carbon footprint reduction

Beyond the Yankee cylinder and shoe press, the upgrade encompasses new high-efficiency hoods, an advanced steam and condensate system, and an upgraded air system featuring a TT Swing System. Modifications were also applied to the winding and spinning sections to ensure consistent product quality and operational reliability.

For the European tissue sector, where energy costs and environmental regulations dictate competitiveness, upgrading legacy assets is often more viable than greenfield investments. Sofidel anticipates that these modifications will reduce the Roanne plant's carbon footprint by approximately 1,200 tons of CO2 annually. The successful start-up and full operational status of the PM1 reinforce Sofidel's strategy of incremental technological upgrades to maintain its position in the highly competitive French tissue market.