Kruger Inc. to invest US$333 million to enter sustainable nonwovens market in Canada
The company will install Canada’s first hybrid production line of its kind in Trois-Rivières, focused on biodegradable and plastic-free materials for wipes applications
Kruger Inc. announced a US$333 million investment to enter the nonwovens sector as part of its long-term portfolio diversification strategy. The new division will focus on manufacturing sustainable materials for a wide range of wipes applications.
The project includes the installation of a hybrid production line on Île-de-la-Potherie in Trois-Rivières, adjacent to the company’s Wayagamack paper mill. Commissioning is scheduled for 2028, and the line will be the first of its kind in Canada.
The technology will combine wet-laid and dry-laid forming processes to develop high-performance nonwoven materials for cleaning and personal care products. According to the company, the materials will be manufactured without plastic fibres or chemical binders, aiming to provide biodegradable and compostable alternatives in a market still largely dominated by plastic-based products.
Kruger stated that the future materials will be made from 100% natural ingredients, primarily wood fibres sourced from responsibly managed Canadian forests. The company also highlighted features such as high absorbency, wet and dry strength, and a cloth-like texture.
The project will receive support from both the Canadian and Québec governments. The announced funding includes a US$35 million contribution from the Government of Canada through the Strategic Response Fund, as well as financing and additional investment from Investissement Québec.
The initiative is expected to create 56 new permanent jobs at the Île-de-la-Potherie site, bringing total employment there to more than 340 workers and nearly 700 jobs across Trois-Rivières. During the construction and equipment installation phase, the project is also expected to generate approximately 500 direct and indirect jobs.
