MEPCO and Toscotec signed a turnkey supply contract for a high efficiency AHEAD 2.2L tissue machine. Toscotec is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, specialized in turnkey projects, complete lines, rebuilds and single equipment for the tissue and paper & board industries.

MEPCO’s tissue machine will have a production capacity of over 60,000 tons per annum of tissue jumbo rolls, covering a wide range of basis weights. The AHEAD 2.2L machine features a TT NextPress shoe press with an upgraded design, a third-generation TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer, and top efficiency TT Hood- Multigen with cogeneration integrated air system. Toscotec will supply the new line on a turnkey basis, including two OPTIMA 2600L slitter rewinders designed to ensure superior bulk and softness preservation. The manufacture of the machinery will take place in Lucca, Italy starting from the first quarter of 2021, and is expected to complete within 12 months. The test-run of the new line is scheduled in the first quarter of 2023, followed by commercial production.

MEPCO announced entering the tissue jumbo roll manufacturing in December 2020. A lucrative opportunity to fill a significant import gap in the local market, which enjoys population growth and high GDP per capita, but limited local supply.

Sami Safran, CEO of MEPCO, commented: “This is the first milestone in our new tissue project. We are progressing according to the planned timeline. Signing the machinery supply contract with Toscotec puts us at comfort about the product quality and efficiency, which are essential to position our products perfectly in the market. We think big and have an ambitious vision to realize. MEPCO enjoys an international reputation for being among the lowest cost producers of containerboard. With the expertise of its management team, it has a concise plan to extend its cost efficiency techniques to the tissue manufacturing business. With Toscotec as our partner of choice, I am looking forward to realizing the maximum potential of this milestone project”.

Alessandro Mennucci, CEO of Toscotec, said: “We are delighted to receive a new order for a state-of-the- art turnkey operation from such an important group as MEPCO. It is also a milestone for Toscotec, who is entering the Middle East market with an advanced high-speed tissue line designed to manufacture premium quality tissue, with a high level of energy efficiency ensured by the integration with the cogeneration system”.

About MEPCO

MEPCO is the leading vertically integrated paper manufacturer in the Middle East, 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. The Company’s innovative approach to doing business enables it to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits to Saudi Arabia. MEPCO is listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) under symbol ‘1202’.

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