Hong Kong’s biggest paper maker Lee & Man is opening a new HK$5.1-billion production plant in Malaysia, as it looks to build on its growing presence in Southeast Asia and meet China’s increasing demand for paper. 

The new factory in Sepang, also the site of the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix, will allow Lee and Man Paper to expand its capabilities in high-grade packaging paper. At full production, the plant will be able to churn out 700,000 tons of paper and 550,000 tons of pulp.

“Lee and Man Paper has been looking to boost our developmental scale and diversify the paper and pulp business overseas. We see Malaysia as a competitive location for export to China,” said Lee and Man’s chief executive Edmond Lee.