Pollina invests US$10.8M to expand French printing plant as activity peaks shift to second half

FRANCE – Pollina has invested over €10 million (approximately US$10.8 million) to expand its Vendée printing facility by 5,000 square metres, adding a seventh Komori offset press and a sixth bindery line to absorb surging second-half demand for books, catalogs, and school diaries.

The Luçon-based printing plant, which employs 210 people, will reach 47,000 square metres by May following construction that began in September 2025.

The expansion allows the company to redeploy its workshop, moving stock to the new area and freeing space to reposition equipment at the centre of the enlarged site.

New Capabilities with Acrylic Varnish

The seventh press, a Komori 5-color sheetfed offset machine with acrylic varnish unit—arrived in September 2025.

Acrylic varnish represents a new finish for Pollina, offering customers a less costly alternative to laminating or UV varnish for book covers and industrial catalogs.

Laurent Pollina, the company’s manager, noted that this finish has proven highly popular since its installation.

The company also ordered a sixth Müller Martini bindery line for cardboard bindings in February 2026, further expanding its finishing capacity.

Solar Power Covers Quarter of Energy Needs

Photovoltaic panels installed on the new building’s roof will cover 25 percent of the site’s total electricity consumption, aligning with broader industry efforts to reduce carbon footprints in printing operations.

Responding to Shifting Demand Patterns

The expansion addresses a fundamental shift observed since 2022-2023: the second half of the year now concentrates most business, with orders for back-to-school materials, Christmas books, and school diaries accumulating over a short period.

The company previously relied on up to 50 temporary workers to meet these peaks, and existing machinery was reaching capacity limits.

Financial Performance and Future Plans

Pollina reported revenue of €35 million (approximately US$37.8 million), reflecting its position as a significant player in the French printing sector.

The company specializes in offset printing for books, catalogs, and industrial publications, segments that have shown resilience despite broader print industry pressures.

Laurent Pollina indicated that other investment projects are under consideration but declined to provide further details.

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