Toscotec starts up PM5 tissue line for Saudi Paper Group in Saudi Arabia
Toscotec successfully started up the PM5 tissue production line at Saudi Paper Group’s facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The project represents a full turnkey supply and follows the installation of a complete AHEAD 2.2S tissue line delivered to the same customer in 2022.
The PM5 project covered the entire scope of a turnkey solution, from advanced stock preparation and detailed mill engineering to full erection activities and final start-up assistance. The delivery highlighted the scale of the installation and the close cooperation between Toscotec and Saudi Paper Group throughout all project phases.
The project
The new PM5 line has been designed primarily for the production of facial tissue, while also allowing flexibility for towel, napkin and toilet paper grades. The AHEAD 2.2L tissue machine features a sheet trim width of 5,600 mm, a maximum operating speed of 2,200 m/min and an annual production capacity exceeding 60,000 tonnes.
Engineered for high performance and energy efficiency, the tissue machine is equipped with Toscotec’s TT NextPress shoe press, a TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer with advanced design features and a high-efficiency TT Hood. The supply also included two OPTIMA2600L slitter rewinders, designed to preserve bulk and softness while ensuring optimal winding performance.
Toscotec’s scope further comprised the complete stock preparation plant with two independent lines, plant electrification and automation, including the company’s TT Brain distributed control system (DCS). The turnkey package was completed with detailed mill engineering, erection supervision, operator training, commissioning and start-up support.
“It is a great pleasure to work alongside Saudi Paper Group as an established partner in the successful delivery of this project. The strong trust and collaboration between our companies were key to its success. For Toscotec, this event is particularly important as it helps to further consolidate our presence in the Saudi Arabian market. The expertise and commitment of the colleagues and partners involved in the erection and commissioning resulted in a truly high-quality job,” says Stefano Raffaelli, Project Manager at Toscotec.
“The PM5 project represents a major leap forward for Saudi Paper Group, and we are proud to partner with Toscotec on a truly state-of-the-art tissue mill design. This machine brings together the latest advancements in energy efficiency, process automation, operational reliability, safety, and product quality. PM5 is not just a new production line – it is a modern benchmark for future tissue mills, combining smart design, optimized water and fiber management, and world-class technology to support our long-term strategy of sustainable, high-performance manufacturing,” says Mohamed Darwish, Group Operations Director at Saudi Paper Group.
About Saudi Paper Group
Saudi Paper Group (SPG) is a leading tissue manufacturer in the GCC and Middle East. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, the group operates through several subsidiaries, including Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company (SPM), Saudi Paper Converting Company (SPC) and Saudi Recycling Company (SRC). SPM produces a wide range of tissue products, including facial tissues, toilet paper, kitchen towels, table napkins and other tissue grades, supplying domestic, regional and international markets.
