Grigeo Hygiene: growth from the Baltics to the European market

With over 200 years of industrial tradition, Grigeo Hygiene is now one of the leading tissue paper producers in the Baltic region. The company has production sites in Lithuania and Poland and mainly serves the European market, standing out for its quality, sustainability, and constant investment in technology. In this interview, Darius Belevičius, CEO of Grigeo Hygiene (or Milda Zopelė, Employer Branding Partner), talks about the company’s growth and the strategic choices behind it, focusing on the key role of OMET in developing the folded towel segment. “OMET is a technology partner that offers flexible, high-performance solutions, perfectly in line with today’s market needs”.

Can you share the history of your company and explain its current structure?

Summarizing 200 years isn’t easy. The AB Grigeo Group includes several companies with rich histories, many surviving wars, occupations, and nationalization. This reflects our deep-rooted expertise, adaptability, and commitment, shaped by our origins.
Our story began in 1823, when paper was first produced in Lithuania at the Kučkuriškiai paper factory, marking the birth of the national paper industry. Today, we operate in three segments: paper & packaging, fibreboard, and tissue paper. Grigeo Hygiene leads our tissue business, with production sites in Grigiškės, Lithuania, and Niedomice, Poland (acquired in 2024).
Grigeo AB is the only paper and wood industry group in Lithuania and one of the largest in the Baltics. It includes companies such as Grigeo Hygiene UAB, Grigeo Tissue UAB, and others. Tomas Jozonis is Group CEO; Darius Belevičius leads Grigeo Hygiene.

What have been the key milestones in your growth, and what products and markets do you serve today?

We’re the only tissue paper producer in the Baltics, with unique expertise and constant investment in advanced technologies. Our GRITE brand, launched 20 years ago, offers hygiene solutions in two lines: GRITE (household) and GRITE PROFESSIONAL (business). We focus on quality, innovation, and user comfort.

How did you first discover OMET machines, and what made you decide to invest in OMET technology?

We’ve known OMET for years through trade fairs, industry events, and visits to other factories using your machines. While evaluating several suppliers, OMET stood out for innovation and reliability. We made the final decision to invest in OMET technology in 2021, impressed by their technology and service quality.

Which OMET machine did you choose, and what features convinced you?

We chose the OMET ASV Tornado line for folded hand towels, as it matched our needs in capacity and flexibility. OMET offered more advanced technology, intuitive controls, and higher efficiency than competitors. Adaptability to our product requirements, strong reliability warranties and high technical support were key in our decision.

How do you evaluate the performance of the machine and the technical support from OMET?

The machine runs reliably and meets our production targets. OMET’s technical support is quick, professional and responsive. The investment has proven successful in both quality and performance.

How has OMET technology helped to grow your business, and what products are you producing with it?

The OMET line helps us stay competitive in the folded towel segment. In response to growing demand for folded paper towels across both retail and business sectors, —especially in exports and the Baltic region—we expanded our product range to meet customer needs. We are recognized as a trusted partner offering folded towels that meet high usability standards, such as one-sheet–at-a-time dispensing without tearing. We help clients building ideal products that meets end-user expectations, and standing out in a competitive market.

What is your current market position, and what growth prospects do you see?

Grigeo Tissue is a leading tissue paper producer in the Baltics, known for its high quality associated to the GRITE brand. We’re growing our exports, focusing on the Baltics, Scandinavia, and Western Europe. Our main customers are retail chains and the HoReCa sector. According to Euromonitor, the market is set to grow 1–4% annually, depending on the country.

Where are you focusing your investments today, and how do you see the market evolving in the coming years?

Sustainability, quality, and rising demand are key trends in the hygiene products market. Customers seek eco-friendly, soft, and durable products. We meet these expectations with high standards of quality and sustainability.
Market demand is steadily rising, especially in the US and Scandinavia. As global economies grow, hygiene product consumption is expected to increase, revealing strong potential for future growth.