A GREENOCK export firm is playing a key role in ensuring that the country does not run out of loo roll due to coronavirus panic-buying.

PG Paper, which operates from Custom House, was asked by a customer to source 200 tonnes of cellulose - 100 per cent virgin tissue - to be converted into toilet paper.

The firm's tissue expert, based in Gothenburg in Sweden, worked alongside PGs logistics team to co-ordinate the international operation.

It saw raw reels of cellulose making their way from the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh to Liverpool.

High speed converting machines then transformed the material on the 2.5 tonne reels into loo roll.

PG Paper's head of logistics, Fiona Dempster, said the project was the firm's largest ever tissue order for a UK-based customer.

Fiona said: "We move large quantities around the globe but this is our biggest project so far in terms of UK production.

"It was a real team effort to get the material delivered."

The customer first contacted the PG Paper procurement team and explained exactly what they were looking for.

The firm's tissue expert found out more about what was needed for the project and the technical specification of the converting machines.

The team was then able to research cellulose-producing paper mills all over the world and matched the customer with one in India.

Founded in 2003 by Kilmacolm-based entrepreneur Poonam Gupta OBE - who runs the business with husband Puneet - PG Paper specialises in selling all kinds of paper, from newsprint to tissue and cardboard.

It now operates in 55 countries worldwide, including China, India and South America, and also has a sales office in New York.

Loo roll has been in short supply in many stores around the country since shoppers began stockpiling amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Fiona added: "Our team anticipated increased demand given the impact of COVID-19 and we worked with our customer base to keep the flow of materials to their facilities to ensure production was not interrupted or halted.

"With everyone being concerned about a potential lack of toilet paper on our supermarket shelves, my team here in Greenock was delighted to do their bit to ensure UK production continued to keep the nation stocked up."