CHINA
New Andritz PM starts up at Hengan


International technology Group Andritz has successfully started up a PrimeLine tissue machine - the new PM 7 - for Hengan Holding Co Ltd, a leading manufacturer of high-quality tissue products in China.

Like two earlier machines supplied to Hengan by Andritz Pulp & Paper (PM3 and PM5), the new PM7 is a 5.55 m wide tissue machine for high quality and very soft tissue paper. It has an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons at a design speed of 2000 m/min. A two-layer headbox with dilution profiling system (PrimeProFiler F) ensures the paper quality required by Hengan. The Andritz scope of supply also included the virgin fibre stock preparation and fibre recovery.

With this start-up, Andritz Pulp & Paper now has nine tissue machines in operation in China and is the leading supplier of high-tech machines to the Chinese tissue paper industry, it says.

TURKEY
Ipek Kagit to build new tissue plant

Ipek Kagit is building a new tissue converting plant in Manisa, western Turkey. The facility is set to start up by the end of the year. The company plans to install a 60,000 ton/yr tissue PM at the site at a later stage. It has yet to pick a supplier for the machine and finalize a timetable for the project.

Ipek Kagit currently owns one mill, in Yalova, some 150 km east of Istanbul, which houses three machines, producing some 100,000 tons/yr of tissue paper. The firm, a 50:50 joint venture between Eczacibasi Holding and Koch Industries, primarily manufactures toilet rolls, napkins, handkerchiefs, kitchen towels and facial tissue for home and commercial use.



Ucal Donusen Kagit to install new tissue PM

Ucal Donusen Kagit has unveiled plans to install a new 24,000 ton/yr tissue machine, PM 4, at its mill in Caycuma, near Turkey's Black Sea coast.

The firm is currently in talks with several potential Italian suppliers. The company hopes to conclude negotiations within the next two to three months. Installation is expected to start toward the end of the year or early next year, with start-up to follow in June 2010. The machine will be similar to the mill's other unit, PM 3, which came on stream back in March 2006. A Celli supplied the 2.8 m wide crescent former PM, while fellow Italian firm Fomat provided the machine hood. News from RISI(www.risiinfo.com)

MIDDLE EAST
FINE sees robust retail sector

FINE, the market leader in the Middle East's hygienic paper industry, expects to benefit from what it predicts will be another productive year for the Gulf's fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in 2009 and sustain its growth from 2008, it announced in March. The regional FMCG market has not been as affected by the economic crisis as other industries, although there is a consumer trend towards more economical products. Expectations that the Middle East's retail sector overall will be worth $500 billion by 2010 have fuelled a positive outlook among the Gulf's FMCG companies, more so as the Gulf countries account for more than 60% of total retail in the Middle East. FINE has been one of the stronger performers in the FMCG segment, posting 15% growth in 2008 to maintain its market leadership in the toilet roll and facial tissue segment of the hygienic paper industry.

"FINE is in a very good position to post another strong year as we maintain a wide range of products which cater to all income levels and consumer types. What we want to focus on in 2009 is to offer more tangible value for our products which can lead to significant savings. We also intend to further enhance our customer services, and create products which have high levels of environmental friendliness," said Peter Janho, the company's chief area officer for the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.

In 2008, FINE held 22% of the total UAE hygienic paper market, with facial tissues acquiring 21%, toilet paper 23%, kitchen towels 13% and baby diapers 10%. The company aims to further boost its share through the recent introduction of its Finee brand of high-quality baby diaper, a segment in which it has steadily strengthened its market presence. It also constantly offers volume deals to provide customers with added value. It has been consistently included in the Forbes Arabia Top 40 Arab Brands list among the top 10 brands in the Middle East, affirming its status as a major household name in the hygienic paper market.

The company is a part of the Nuqul Group and has its headquarters in Jordan.

SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Paper starts up new tissue PM

Saudi Paper Manufacturing has started up a fourth tissue paper machine at its plant in\ Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Metso Paper supplied the 5.5 m wide PM, which has a design speed of 2200 m/min and a capacity of 55,000 tons/yr. The project cost Riyal 300 million ($80 million) and has boosted the mill's total tissue paper capacity to 125,000 tons/yr.

The PM will manufacture facial, toilet and towel grades, based on both virgin pulp and recycled fibre. Some output will be converted by Saudi Paper Manufacturing and some will be sold as jumbo rolls on the market. The Dammam facility already housed three tissue machines with a total capacity of 70,000 tons/yr.

Elsewhere, Saudi Paper Manufacturing has also invested Riyal 50 million in building a new 25,000 ton/yr tissue converting plant in Jeddah. The facility kicked off trial runs at the end of last month.

With its existing 25,000 ton/yr converting operation in Dammam, the new unit boosts the company's total tissue paper processing capacity to 50,000 tons/yr. The scheme is part of the firm's plan to become fully integrated. News from RISI(www.risiinfo.com)