Cellulose maker Dunacell invests HUF 7 billion in capacity expansion

The government is supporting the investment, which will preserve more than 150 jobs, with a 1.7 billion forint grant, Peter Szijjarto said.

The investment will see Dunacell expand its capacities to produce powdered dietary fiber, the minister said, adding that the project was set to be completed by May 31, 2023.

Szijjarto said the coronavirus pandemic had caused supply shortages in a number of areas, and the uncertainty had led to severe panic food buying.

“The old dogma that supply chains were putting their trust in internationalisation appeared to be on the way out,” he said. Szijjarto emphasised the importance of self-sufficiency and treating the food industry as a strategic sector.

The output of Hungary’s food industry rose by around 7 percent in 2020 to 3,800 billion forints and saw a 16 percent increase last December to exceed 4,000 billion forints, Szijjarto said.