Aldar Tissue, Ireland’s largest household and commercial tissue paper manufacturer and part of the Zeus Group, has officially opened its new €15 million, purpose-built manufacturing facility in Rathcoole, Dublin. The 100,000 sq ft facility will see the workforce at Aldar Tissue double by 2026, creating 30 new full-time jobs.
Both Aldar Tissue and Zeus are committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, actively reducing carbon footprints by prioritising local manufacturing and sustainable raw materials. Aldar Tissue supplies major customers such as Musgrave, Lidl, Aldi, and Essential Supplies. The state-of-the-art Dublin plant features fully automated, high-speed production lines, robotic packing, and wrapping technologies. These innovations will enable Aldar Tissue to transition from a 24/5 to a 24/7 operation by 2026, further increasing capacity. Aldar Tissue was acquired by Zeus, Europe’s leading independent packaging manufacturer and distributor, in 2019.
Speaking at the facility’s opening, Keith Ockenden, CEO of Zeus, commented: “Our goal is to help our customers reduce their packaging usage and lower their carbon emissions by providing innovative products and services. By processing industrial production rolls into smaller, finished products on-site in Ireland, Aldar Tissue significantly reduces the need for long-distance transportation of raw materials, thereby cutting carbon emissions from shipping bulk materials from mainland Europe. This streamlined approach not only lowers our carbon footprint but also enhances supply chain efficiency, ensuring products are delivered to customers more sustainably and cost-effectively.
“Currently, 80% of the Irish tissue market is supplied from the UK and mainland Europe. This new facility increases our production capacity and will enable us to fulfil up to 40% of Ireland’s bathroom tissue and kitchen towel needs. This will allow us to meet the evolving demands of local markets while driving sustainability within the industry.”
Ockenden further commented: “With the addition of 30 new jobs, Aldar Tissue is doubling its workforce to meet growing demand. We have plans to further expand production capacity by 2026. Our products adhere to the highest standards of performance, offering a real alternative to imports and supporting the Irish economy. Aldar Tissue’s investment aligns with Ireland’s broader sustainability goals, with the new production lines capable of using paper-based wrapping materials. At Aldar, we are not just producing tissue products; we are building a sustainable future for Ireland.”
The plant’s cutting-edge technology enables high-speed production of consumer and professional tissue products at a rate of 600 meters per minute, or 200 packs per minute, offering more than 60 variations of kitchen towels and bathroom tissue. As of 2023, the Irish toilet tissue market is valued at approximately €155 million, driven by demand from both retail and away-from-home sectors.
ABOUT ALDAR:
Aldar Tissue is proud to be a member of Guaranteed Irish. Our operations are backed by a series of certifications, demonstrating our commitment to quality, sustainability, and safety. We hold ISO 9001 for quality management, ensuring that our processes consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. This dedication was recognised in 2023 with the Silver award from Greenly for their carbon management progress. The ISO 14001 certification highlights our proactive approach to environmental management, reducing our environmental impact across all areas of operation.
Aldar Tissue is accredited with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), underlining our dedication to sourcing materials from sustainably managed forests. Our products meet rigorous standards for responsible forest management, helping to promote sustainable forestry practices worldwide.
We also hold BRC (British Retail Consortium) accreditation, which ensures that our products meet the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and quality in manufacturing. These certifications, combined with our membership in Guaranteed Irish, reflect Aldar Tissue’s unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and supporting Ireland’s economy.
ABOUT ZEUS:
Zeus is a leading global packaging solutions company, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. As a leading specialist manufacturing and distribution group, Zeus provides a diverse range of sustainable packaging solutions tailored to the unique needs of businesses worldwide.
Zeus has 61 locations worldwide, including Ireland, UK, Germany, Spain, Central & Eastern Europe, New Zealand, Canada, China and Australia.
Zeus employs 1,370 people with a presence in 38 countries worldwide.
We provide integrated solutions by leveraging global manufacturing and sourcing services, innovative packaging design and engineering, and technology-driven supply chain and sustainability solutions.
