JEDDAH/HEIDENHEIM. 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. 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.

Sami Al Safran, President & CEO of MEPCO

After earlier excellent cooperation with Voith subsidiary Toscotec, we are very delighted that MEPCO now has chosen Voith for this major order. 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.

Joachim Huber, Regional Account & Sales Manager at Voith Paper

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.