Figueira, Portugal 12 February 2015 -- Portucel has decided to add tissue papers to its portfolio. As part of the strategy, the company announced the acquisition of tissue producer AMS BR Star Paper in Portugal.

Portuguese pulp and paper manufacturer Portucel has taken over Portuguese tissue producer AMS BR Star Paper S.A. (AMS) in Vila Velha de Rodão in the east of the country. AMS produces and converts tissue for the Consumer and Away from Home markets. The company has an annual production capacity of 30,000 t of tissue and a converting capacity of 50,000 t. According to Portucel, AMS is currently expanding its production meaning that tissue capacity will rise to 60,000 t in September this year. The value of the transaction was put at €80m, including the costs for the expansion project.

Portucel announced that it had decided to add sanitary papers to its product portfolio, planning to become one of the leading European suppliers in the sector. In its financial report, the company said that the Cacia pulp mill in Portugal, where pulp capacity is currently being enlarged from 285,000 to 360,000 tpy of BEK, was well suited for the installation of a tissue machine.

AMS booked an EBITDA of €9.5m and sales revenues of €51.3m last year and has 146 employees. The company said it sells its products not only on the Iberian Peninsula, but also in France, Morocco and other Portuguese-speaking African countries.