Sofidel Breaks Ground on $775 Million Expansion at Oklahoma Tissue Manufacturing Facility

Sofidel has broken ground on a $775 million expansion of its manufacturing facility at the Port of Inola, marking one of the largest industrial investments in northeast Oklahoma in recent years.

The project will expand Sofidel’s footprint at the port to approximately 3 million square feet and is scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2028.

The expansion includes nearly 1 million square feet of new facilities and infrastructure. According to the company, the project will add a new building housing a 75,000-ton-per-year Valmet Through-Air-Drying (TAD) tissue machine, new converting lines, expanded pulp and parent reel storage, and a fully automated finished goods warehouse capable of storing 100,000 pallets.

The upgraded facility will also feature automated logistics systems, including laser-guided vehicles that transport materials throughout the plant.

Sofidel said the investment is intended to strengthen its manufacturing capacity in the United States and support growing demand for premium tissue products across North America.

“We have found at the Port of Inola the right environment for continued growth and innovation, and this expansion underscores our confidence in the region,” said Sofidel Chief Executive Officer Luigi Lazzareschi.

The company said the investment coincides with Sofidel’s 60th anniversary and reflects its long-term commitment to Oklahoma.

State and regional officials welcomed the project as a major economic development initiative. Officials from the Tulsa Regional Chamber and Oklahoma state government said the expansion reinforces the region’s position as a destination for advanced manufacturing and international investment.

Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell said the project demonstrates the state’s growing attractiveness for global businesses and manufacturers.

Sofidel currently operates 14 production sites across 11 U.S. states and has become one of the largest tissue producers in North America.