Bosses at Intertissue's paper mill in Swansea Bay are considering a massive expansion that could bring 150 jobs to Port Talbot.
The state-of-the-art mill at the Baglan Energy Park, which already employs about 300 people, could become half as big again.
The Sofidel group manufactures and sells a range of products, including toilet paper, tissues, kitchen paper and napkins.
Baglan Bay
It has asked Neath Port Talbot Council for a so-called scoping opinion, which is usually a precursor to a full planning application, on the proposed extension.
Phase one of the £70million complex at Baglan, one of the most advanced in Europe, opened in 2006, and has an annual production of 60,000 tonnes, using one paper machine, operating 24 hours a day with 12-hour shifts.
A second phase development was included in the original planning consent for the paper mill, but that has now expired.
The current submission to Neath Port Talbot Council states: "The proposed development at the site will comprise an expansion of the existing activities and the installation of a second paper machine on site.The manufacturing processes will be identical to those currently undertaken on site. This will result in a doubling of paper production at the Intertissue paper mill to approximately 120,000 tonnes. It is anticipated the proposed expansion will create in the region of 150 additional jobs."
Neath Port Talbot Council's head of economic development Gordon Andrews said it would be extremely welcome news for the county if the expansion went ahead. "Baglan Energy Park has a lot of positives in terms of its location and its proximity to the M4 — Intertissue is there to service the UK market, which it can do from Port Talbot."
"They have the land available for expansion and a rail spur, should they choose to use it. I would argue the case for the energy park very strongly if there was to be an investment."
South Wales Evening Post - 8 December 2009
