1897-1958
The early years
1897 - The seed is sown to Duni Group with the foundation of the paper mill in Skåpafors, Sweden. The first machine produces kraft paper for industrial use.
1914 - During a train journey, an ingenious doctor invents the waxed paper cup in the USA. It will be our first product when introduced in the Swedish market in 1949.
1949 - Duni is founded and starts marketing waxed paper cups. The name “Duni” is the winner in a competition to name tissue napkins. It alludes to the feelings of soft down (dun in Swedish).
The Bonnier Group acquires the company.
1950s - Production focuses on further processing of the company’s paper. Napkins with multi-color printing is the main product.
After several years of development work, napkins made of white tissue are launched.
The first colored napkins are red and become a huge Christmas success.
1958 - Our international expansion starts in 1958 when we opened our first office outside Sweden, in Hamburg, Germany.
1965-1977
Adding new materials
1965 - The production of Dunicel® starts. It is our first unique premium material and is still popular. Since then, several more have followed, e.g., Dunilin®, Dunisilk®, and Evolin®.
1972 - Production begins in Bramsche, Germany, in a former textile factory.
1977 - Operations begin in the USA.
1989-1997
The Marieberg years
1989 - Swedish-based media company Tidnings AB Marieberg buys 100% of Duni’s shares. The share is removed from the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
1990 - Duni acquires Sweden’s second-largest manufacturer of tissue-based napkins, doubling the operation. It strengthens our position in the European and international markets.
1995 - A new paper machine is installed in Skåpafors for airlaid production, which uses air instead of water to form the fibers.
1997 - Tidnings AB Marieberg sells 50% of its shares in Duni to EQT Scandinavia.
2000-2019
Expansion in the new century
The 2000s - The company continues to grow in Europe and globally, for example, acquiring shares in Song Seng, Singapore (2013); Paper+Design, Germany (2014); Terinex Siam, Thailand (2016); Sharp Serviettes, New Zealand (2017); Biopac UK, Great Britain (2018); and BioPak Australia, (2018).
2001 - EQT acquires the remainder of the Duni shares and became its 100%-owner.
2005 - Duni Group founds EFF in Poznań, Poland, offering accounting and tax services and bookkeeping on an international scale.
2006 - Duni divests its North American business.
2007 - In November, Duni is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm.
2008 - EQT divests its remaining shares, making Mellby Gård Duni Group’s principal owner.
2019 - The umbrella term “Duni Group” is introduced. Duni Group and the Duni brand get separate logotypes.
2021-2024
Updated strategy, new direction
2021 - An updated strategy sharply focuses on sustainability and innovation, making them the backbone of the business going forward.
Bio Dunicel® placemats and Bio Dunisoft® napkins with fossil-free binders are launched.
Minority investments in German Relevo and Spanish Bûmerang offer reusable packaging solutions.
2023 - Launch of our startups, Unmo, which connects restaurants and potential employees, and Idun, which offers sustainable and circular food packaging solutions.
2024 - Duni Group celebrates 75 years.
