Export company based in Greenock is set to double in size over the next two years

Bosses of PG Paper have ambitious plans to expand the business by branching out into new and emerging markets, including growing worldwide demand for tissue paper.

The company currently employs 24 staff at its Custom House HQ, with more employees being taken on as the firm branches out into China, Africa and Latin America.

PG Paper was founded in 2003 by chief executive Poonam Gupta - who was recently named Scottish businesswoman of the year - along with husband Puneet, who is the chief operating officer.

Mr Gupta said: "We have ambitions to double in size over the next couple of years and it's using things like tissue to try and do that. "It's an exciting time for the business."

In the firm's most recent accounts, turnover increased by over £13 million to just under £36m, leading to a pre-tax profit of £1.4m - up from £573,000.

But that is expected to rise even further when the latest set of financials are released next month.

Last year the firm secured a £10m funding package from Santander to aid growth plans, which could see as many as 20 extra staff taken on.

PG Paper now does business in over 50 countries across five continents.

Traditionally, the firm has supplied paper for publications and packaging and is now branching out into tissue which is used in a wide variety of products such as toilet rolls, napkins and hankies.

Mr Gupta said: "We're diversifying the current business.

"Growth and consumption of tissue paper, for example, is going to be tenfold in India in the next few years. "This is a new division almost.

"We've had quite a successful year in terms of growth and the number of people we're employing, and that will be shown in the year-end accounts, which come out in the last week in December."