INOLA, Oklahoma (OBV) — Sofidel Group finalized plans for a $775 million expansion at its integrated production facility in Inola, marking another major investment in Oklahoma’s manufacturing sector.
The project includes construction of a new building for a 75,000-ton-per-year Valmet Through-Air-Drying tissue machine, along with converting lines for finished goods production. Sofidel also plans to expand its pulp and parent reel warehouse and build a fully automated finished goods warehouse with 100,000 pallet positions. The new buildings will cover about 1 million square feet.
Machine startup is scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.
“The new TAD machine we will install at our Inola, Oklahoma facility will further strengthen our production footprint and expand the availability of premium tissue products in the United States,” Sofidel Group CEO Luigi Lazzareschi said. He said the investment will help the company meet growing customer demand, particularly in the South.
The company said the expansion will include state-of-the-art internal logistics, including laser-guided vehicles to move parent reels and an automated loading system connected to the finished goods warehouse.
Sofidel, founded in Italy and celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, operates 14 production sites across 11 states. The company said North America now accounts for 50% of its total revenue, and Sofidel has become the fourth-largest tissue producer in the North American market.
