• Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO) commissions Voith with the construction of state-of-the-art production line
• With an annual production capacity of 450,000 tons of lightweight recycled containerboard (RCCM), the new PM 5 will almost double MEPCO’s production capacity at its Jeddah site
• Construction will start in Q3 2024, with commissioning expected in Q4 2027

Saudi Arabia’s Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO) has commissioned full-line supplier Voith with the construction of an entire production line for recycled containerboard at its Jeddah mill. The state-of-the-art and highly efficient line will achieve an annual production volume of up to 450,000 tons of high-quality Testliner and Corrugated Medium in the basis weight range of 70 to 140 gsm. The planned design speed is 1,600m/min. The start-up of the complete production line is scheduled for Q4 2027.

“We are very pleased to be able to further strengthen and expanding our leading market position in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries with this highly efficient production line and state-of-the-art technologies from Voith,” says Sami Al Safran, President & CEO of MEPCO. “Voith’s professional full-line-supplier approach that reduces interfaces, its excellent reputation and references as well as the trustful joint cooperation of both teams were decisive for our decision.”

“After earlier excellent cooperation with Voith subsidiary Toscotec, we are very delighted that MEPCO now has chosen Voith for this major order,” says Joachim Huber, Regional Account & Sales Manager at Voith Paper. “With the new PM 5 production line we will supply an efficient system that enables optimized and resource-saving production of recycled fiber-based container grades (RCCM). Our latest automation and digitalization technologies will further improve availability and efficiency of the plant and complete the full-line supplier scope of supply for MEPCO.”

One of the most efficient RCCM machines in the world
Designed as one of the most efficient RCCM machines in the world, the order covers the entire paper production process from BlueLine OCC stock preparation line, reject and sludge handling system from Voith subsidiary Meri and wet end process with water-saving chemical dosing technology FlowJec, to the state-of-the-art XcelLine paper machine featuring a TwinDrive double unwind and VariFlex Performance winder with fully automated FlyingSplice reel change.

The sustainability and efficiency of the production line is further ensured by an AquaLine Flex integrated wastewater treatment plant from Meri with anaerobic reactors, a resource-saving DuoCentri NipcoFlex press, an EcoHood dryer section hood, DuoDry CC single tier after dryer section and a Prevo ropeless threading system in the dryer section.

Voith’s scope of supply also includes the basic and detail engineering as well as erection and commissioning supervision of the line. Further, MEPCO will benefit from a comprehensive fabrics package and a wide range of automation and digitalization solutions from Voith’s Papermaking 4.0 portfolio including field instruments for the entire line, OnControl MCS/DCS, OnQuality MD/CD control, OnCare solutions for condition monitoring and asset management, OnEfficiency solutions for process optimization and a unified user interface.

About MEPCO
MEPCO is one of the largest vertically integrated paper manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa, offering a diverse range of containerboard and specialty paper products serving the packaging, construction, furniture, and paper core industries around the world. MEPCO supplies its products to the local Saudi market, as well as the GCC, Middle East and Africa. Furthermore, the company has developed a growing presence in South Asia, the Americas, and Europe and currently has three Containerboard machines and one Tissue machine in operation.

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 21,000 employees, sales of € 4.9 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market and offers paper manufacturers holistic solutions from a single source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.

Contact: Julia Schaefer, Manager Global Communication Voith Paper Tel. +49 7321 37 6995  Julia.Schaefer@Voith.com –  www.voith.com

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