SWM International Opens São Paulo Innovation Hub, Accelerating Sustainable Packaging Growth Across the Americas

LUXEMBOURG / SÃO PAULO, 16 April 2026 – SWM International, a global leader in engineered specialty papers and sustainable fiber-based solutions, today announced the opening of its São Paulo office, establishing a strategic innovation and commercial hub in the heart of Latin America’s largest economy.

The new facility, located on Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima – São Paulo’s premier business corridor and home to Brazil’s leading financial institutions and multinational headquarters – will serve as a multifunctional center for business development, sales, R&D, and customer service. The office begins operations with a team spanning commercial, technical, and administrative functions, with R&D and HR experts providing regular on-site support.

The investment deepens SWM’s presence in a region where the company has operated for over a century through its Santanésia manufacturing site. Producing 44,000 metric tons annually, Santanésia supplies customers across Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Africa, the United States, and Europe – making it one of the company’s most globally connected production facilities.

This is not simply about opening an office – it is about positioning SWM at the frontier of the sustainable materials evolution, said Katrin Hanske, President and CEO of SWM International.

The world is demanding alternatives to plastic, and our São Paulo hub puts us closer to customers, closer to markets, and better equipped to deliver the high-performance, sustainable solutions they need. When you combine a century of paper engineering expertise with the innovation culture of Latin America’s largest business center, you create something powerful. This investment reflects our confidence in the region and our commitment to leading the transition to a more sustainable future.

The São Paulo office will drive SWM’s expansion in sustainable packaging, a high-growth segment where the company has invested significantly in product development. SWM’s portfolio now includes ultra-lightweight papers for medical pouches, oil- and grease-resistant papers for food applications, and advanced straw wrap and greaseproof solutions designed to replace single-use plastics.

The company’s deep expertise in tobacco-related papers – including cigarette papers, plug wrap, and tipping papers – provides the technical foundation for these sustainable innovations. SWM’s fiber engineering capabilities, developed over decades of precision manufacturing, translate directly to the demanding specifications of medical and food-grade packaging applications.

The new hub is expected to strengthen customer relationships across the Americas, accelerate product development cycles, and enhance SWM’s ability to respond to market opportunities. By establishing dedicated local teams with direct access to global R&D and manufacturing resources, SWM aims to combine the agility of a regional operator with the capabilities of a global enterprise.

With the addition of São Paulo, SWM now maintains direct commercial and operational presence across South America, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The company views this global reach, supported by expert local teams, as a distinctive competitive advantage in an industry where customer proximity and technical responsiveness are critical success factors.

About SWM

SWM International is the leading global supplier of premium, highly engineered, lightweight fiber-based solutions, with deep expertise in reconstituted botanicals. Backed by centuries of experience in paper manufacturing and committed to accelerating the transition to safer and more sustainable solutions, the company’s broad product portfolio, global footprint, and expert service offerings help drive innovation across all its markets. These include combustible and smokeless applications, as well as next-generation categories such as heated tobacco and oral delivery solutions. The company’s advanced natural fibers also play a critical role in a wide range of markets, including energy storage, surface protection, filtration, and packaging. SWM International, headquartered in Luxembourg, employs nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals across its facilities in Europe, the United States, Latin America, and Asia.