EGYPT
ZERITIS STARTS UP TISSUE PM IN EGYPT (News supplied by RISI)
The Zeritis Group has kicked off trial runs on a tissue paper machine at its Pyramids Paper Mill in Egypt. Commercial production is expected to start early next year.

The group transferred the unit from its Thrace Paper Mill in Greece to the Egyptian plant in 6th of October City last year. The machine, which was known as PM 1, has now become PM 4 and produces 11,000 tons/yr of tissue. Its output will be converted into facial and balsam tissue products.

Pyramids Paper Mill now houses four machines. PMs 1, 2 and 3 produce some 32,000 tons/yr of tissue paper. Most of the output is converted on site, with some sold to the domestic and export markets.

The company recently expanded its converting capacity, adding four new lines, two for pocket tissues, one for toilet rolls and one for napkins. The new units started up in August and September. The firm has the capacity to convert 20,000 tons/yr of tissue paper, but is currently processing 15,000 tons/yr. It hopes to hit full capacity once PM 4 starts commercial production.

Thrace Paper Mill is left with two machines, PMs 2 and 3, which manufacture 42,000 tons/yr of tissue paper, at its plant in Xanthi, Thrace.

JORDAN
NUQUL S AL SNOBAR MILL STARTS UP
Equipped with the latest world class technology, Nuqul Group’s Al Snobar Paper Mill in Jordan recently began production. The factory is the largest in the Middle East and North Africa with the total investment of $100 million, according to Nuqul.

“The factory is located in the eastern part of Arainbeh-Al Jeezeh area among four other companies working under the umbrella of Nuqul Group. It has been equipped with the latest technology to include cogeneration power plant and sophisticated effluent treatment plant” said Nuqul Group’s area tissue director Hani Nuqul, “We started production 19 days ahead of the scheduled time, our production capacity will reach up to 54,000 tons/yr” he added.

Al Snobar factory includes an electric power generation station using natural gas to fulfill the electrical needs of the whole industrial complex with five factories. In addition, there is a station for the effluent treatment and usage of water, all of which falls within Nuqul Group’s strategy towards the preservation of the environment.

The project was initially intended to be constructed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); however it has been relocated to Jordan due to promises made regarding the supply of local gas and also to reassert public confidence in Jordan as a destination for investment pursuant to the Amman bombings. Al Snobar factory started its production without the supply of natural gas.

Employees at Nuqul Group’s industrial complex, of which Al Snobar factory is also part, are expected to reach 800. The Group also owns three factories for the production of hygienic tissue paper jumbo rolls, one in Jordan, next to Al Snobar, and two in Egypt, in addition to other tissue converting factories in the region. New board structure

Nuqul Group has announced a new board structure aimed at endorsing the organisation’s strategy and developing directional policy to ensure accountability and to build on past success.

The board consists of five internal members: Elia Nuqul, Ghassan Nuqul, Marwan Nuqul, Nidal Eses and Salim Karadsheh are internal nominations, while Jabra Ghandour (general manager, National Bank of Kuwait) and Bisher Jardaneh (CEO, Arabtech Jardaneh Engineers and Architects) are independent members.

In 2004 Nuqul Group strategically decided to separate its ownership from management and embarked on the implementation of a model guided by the institutionalisation of the company. Believing in long term visions the group appointed two CEOs and initiated a series of organizational change guided by the principles of corporate governance.

Established in 1952, Nuqul Group brings together 30 regional and global companies, more than 5,500 employees and exports its products to over 45 exports markets worldwide.