Get ready for potential changes in your local grocery store’s toilet paper aisle. Royal Paper, a key supplier of toilet paper to retailers such as Trader Joe’s and brands like Kroger, has filed for bankruptcy and is selling off its assets. This business shakeup could lead to shifts in the options available on store shelves.
In April 2025, Royal Paper filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure and sell assets. Sofidel, one of the nation’s largest tissue paper companies, has shown interest in purchasing certain assets of Royal Paper, a subsidiary of Royal Interco, LLC. The proposed deal includes four manufacturing plants in the United States, with facilities in Arizona and South Carolina. The agreement allows other entities to bid on the assets as well.
For over 30 years, Royal Paper has supplied paper goods, including toilet paper and paper towels, as private label products to retailers across the U.S. Their own brands like Earth First, SuperSoft, and EcoFirst are commonly found in store-brand products. Depending on the outcome of the restructuring, consumers may see changes in the availability, appearance, and cost of these products, impacting their shopping choices.
What to expect during Royal Paper’s restructuring and asset sale
The acquisition deal by Sofidel is still in progress and requires judicial approval. If successful, Sofidel will expand its U.S. presence, following recent acquisitions in Minnesota and Ohio. The company’s focus on sustainable manufacturing and private label market growth could lead to more eco-friendly products on store shelves. With potential disruptions from the restructuring, consumers may rethink their toilet paper brand preferences.
