GapCon tissue S.r.l. to supply a new tissue machine to Copelme S.A. in Bolivia

In February 2017, the Italian GapCon tissue S.r.l. (since 2017 a member of the PAPCEL Group of companies) signed a contract with the Bolivian paper producer Copelme S.A. to supply a new tissue machine (paper width on reel 2,760 mm, operating speed 1,600 mpm).

It is a “turn-key” green-field project. The new paper machine will be installed in a new production plant, which is located in a newly established industrial park in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The company GapCon acts as a general contractor in this project, including complete engineering services, deliveries of all the accessories, mill site transportation and on-site mechanical and electrical erection.

The paper mill Copelme S.A., part of Grupo Mendoza de Inversiones, established on 1996 by Mr. Charbel Mendoza Abs, is the leading Bolivian tissue paper manufactures with its brand NACIONAL. The main reason for building a new tissue plant is to increase the production output and improve the logistic benefits. The new tissue machine start-up is scheduled for mid-2018. GapCon tissue S.r.l. will supply an advanced tissue machine technology with Crescent Former, including stock preparation line and complete auxiliary systems such as boiler house, compressed air system, overhead cranes and mill electrification. The machine capacity is 85 tpd (toilet paper, napkins and kitchen towels).

Through the acquisition of GapCon tissue S.r.l., the PAPCEL Group has actively entered into the tissue market and gained a strong partner with a long tradition and experience in supplies not only for tissue technology, but also for the production of graphic and packaging grades.