The RRK Wellpappenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG in Bottrop, a member of the Panther Group, is set to expand significantly over the next few years.
In July 2025, the company acquired a neighboring piece of property measuring around 30,000 m². According to current plans, a new corrugator as well as a paper and semi-finished goods warehouse are to be built on the site. The then fully automated production is to increase the plant’s capacity to over 300 million m² p.a. supported by IT.
Around EUR 40 million will be invested in the new production facility. Depending on the economic development in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, the exact timing of the investments will be determined in 2026. With the new machinery and equipment, the plant’s relative CO2 emissions are also set to be significantly reduced.
Further investments are also being made at the other locations of the Panther Group. For example, the new production and warehouse building at Coswiger Wellpappe in Saxony-Anhalt will go into operation in August 2025; this will allow the site to grow by around 30%.
Education and training remains another focus of investment. Around EUR 6 million is invested annually in this area of the Panther Group. Around 11% of the entire workforce are currently apprentices. All children and grandchildren of employees are currently guaranteed an apprenticeship at the Panther Group. As a family-owned company, the group aims to involve all employees’ families in the company in the long term.
