Toscotec Starts Up AHEAD 2.2 Tissue Line at Saudi Paper Group

Saudi Paper Group (SPG) has started up a Toscotec-supplied AHEAD 2.2 tissue machine and OPTIMA slitter rewinder at its Dammam mill in Saudi Arabia. The new machine (PM2) is already producing high quality tissue.

The AHEAD 2.2 line has a sheet trim width of 2,850 mm, a maximum operating speed of 2,100 m/min, and an annual production capacity of over 30,000 tons. Equipped with Toscotec’s upgraded shoe press design TT NextPress, a third-generation TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer with patented deckle head insulation, and high efficiency TT Hood, the tissue machine ensures optimal energy efficiency. Toscotec also supplied the stock preparation system and its patented Short Approach Flow with double dilution, which guarantees a further reduction of electrical consumption.

In 2022, SPG placed a new order with Toscotec for the full-on turnkey supply of a new tissue line, including an AHEAD 2.2L machine (PM5) and two OPTIMA 2600L slitter rewinders. The project is slated to add 65,000 tons to the group’s annual capacity in 2024.

Mohamed Abdelghaffar, SPG Group Operations Director, says, “We are very pleased with this successful start-up, and with Toscotec’s ability to manage the entire project with flexibility and competence. We expect to quickly achieve excellent performances on PM2 both for tissue quality and production efficiency. SPG’s project team is already working with Toscotec on the engineering phase of PM5, our new, double-width AHEAD tissue line. We are happy to continue this partnership, taking together another important step in our growth strategy.”

Andrea Paganucci, Toscotec Project Manager, says, “The good cooperation between SPG and Toscotec throughout the entire project could only result in a successful outcome. Considering that Toscotec’s new line replaced an older machine in an existing building, we’ve faced a few challenges linked to space restraints of the plant layout. This is when Toscotec’s well-known flexibility can really shine bright: the customized design we delivered has effectively resolved all these issues. We look forward to continuing this close partnership on SPG’s second Toscotec machine.”

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