Crown Paper Mill (CPM) has unveiled a new tissue paper mill in Saudi Arabia, featuring a high-speed Valmet tissue paper machine—the fastest in the world capable of producing 2,200 meters of tissue paper per minute. With an initial capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per year, the facility will boost CPM’s total manufacturing capabilities to 160,000 metric tonnes annually. In an exclusive with Paper Mart, Mr. Abdullah Al Khateeb, Managing Director of CPM and Ittihad Paper Mill (IPM), shares about the mill’s expansion in Saudi Arabia, and further plans about establishing presence beyond Saudi- across the MENA region. The company eyes to develop new innovative tissue paper products, and an investment in next-gen sustainable technologies to reduce environmental footprint.
Paper Mart: Can you provide an overview of the new tissue paper mill in Saudi Arabia?
Abdullah Al Khateeb: Our newly established tissue paper mill in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in the region’s paper industry. As part of our strategic vision to expand our manufacturing capabilities, this facility represents a substantial investment aimed at revolutionizing tissue paper production. The project was driven by our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and efficiency.
To ensure we achieve world-class production standards, we partnered with Valmet, a globally recognized leader in paper industry technologies. By incorporating cutting-edge machinery and implementing a phased development strategy, we have successfully built a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant that prioritizes high-quality output while minimizing energy and chemical consumption.
This new facility strengthens our foothold in the MENA region, reinforcing our commitment to providing premium tissue paper products that cater to growing consumer and industrial demands.
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PM: Can you elaborate on the state-of-the-art infrastructure setup and the production capacity?
AAK: The new mill is equipped with some of the most advanced infrastructure and manufacturing technologies available in the industry. At the heart of our operations is a high-speed Valmet machine, capable of producing tissue paper at an impressive speed of 2,200 meters per minute, making it the fastest tissue paper machine in the world.
With an initial production capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per year, this facility is set to significantly enhance our overall manufacturing capabilities. As part of our long-term growth strategy, we have already planned future expansions that will increase our total production capacity to 160,000 metric tonnes per year, further strengthening our position as a market leader.
PM: What is the comprehensive product range offered and innovations introduced in the new mill?
AAK: Our new tissue paper mill is designed to manufacture a wide range of high-quality tissue paper products tailored to meet diverse consumer needs. Our product lineup include: toilet paper – designed for superior softness and strength; paper towels – highly absorbent and durable for home and commercial use; maxi rolls – ideal for large-scale usage in the hospitality and healthcare sectors; napkins – crafted for premium softness and convenience; and facial tissue paper – delicate yet strong, offering the best in comfort and hygiene.
By leveraging Valmet’s latest technology, we are able to produce tissue paper with enhanced softness, strength, and absorbency, ensuring superior quality across all our product categories. Additionally, our commitment to sustainability drives us to develop eco-friendly tissue paper products with a lower environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.
With an initial production capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per year, this facility is set to significantly enhance CPM’s overall manufacturing capabilities to 160,000 metric tonnes per year.
PM: How does your mill stand apart from the rest of the competitive tissue paper mills? Please tell us about the cutting-edge technologies and sustainable manufacturing operations practiced at your mill.
AAK: One of the standout features of our new mill is the integration of Valmet’s state-of-the-art machinery, which offers numerous advantages such as higher production efficiency – faster processing speeds ensure greater output without compromising quality; reduced energy consumption – advanced technology minimizes power usage, leading to significant cost savings and lower environmental impact; minimized chemical usage – innovative processing techniques allow us to use fewer chemicals while maintaining superior tissue quality; and optimized raw material utilization – advanced fiber treatment processes enhance product quality while reducing waste.
By embracing these next-generation manufacturing technologies, we are not only increasing efficiency but also positioning ourselves as a pioneer in sustainable tissue production.
PM: How do you envision the market demand and industry growth trends evolving over the years?
AAK: The tissue paper industry has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, fuelled by an increasing global focus on hygiene and sanitation. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this demand, making tissue paper products an essential commodity in households, businesses, and healthcare facilities.
As consumer awareness regarding hygiene continues to rise, the market demand for high-quality tissue products will grow exponentially. Our new mill is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, delivering innovative, eco-friendly, and high-performance tissue products that cater to the evolving needs of both retail and commercial customers.
PM: What are your key target market segments?
AAK: Our tissue mill will serve a diverse range of market segments, ensuring we cater to various consumer and industrial needs. We will cater to the consumer goods market – supplying top-tier tissue products to retail customers across supermarkets, hypermarkets, and e-commerce platforms; Away-From-Home (AFH) market – providing high-volume tissue solutions for hotels, restaurants, malls, offices, healthcare institutions, and public facilities; and industrial customers – delivering customized solutions to businesses requiring bulk tissue paper for further processing and packaging.
Our ability to manufacture tissue products with varying softness, strength, and absorbency levels ensures that we meet the unique preferences of each market segment. Furthermore, our commitment to sustainability allows us to develop customized, eco-friendly solutions tailored to the specific needs of our clients.
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PM: What are your future plans? Do you plan to expand beyond Saudi Arabia?
AAK: The launch of this tissue paper mill is just the beginning of our long-term vision. We have ambitious plans for continuous growth and expansion, which include: increasing production capacity to meet the ever-growing market demand, expanding our product range by developing new and innovative tissue products, exploring new markets beyond Saudi Arabia to establish a strong presence across the MENA region, and investing in next-generation sustainable technologies to further reduce our environmental footprint.
We are confident that this new facility will elevate our status as a dominant player in the tissue paper industry, not just in Saudi Arabia, but across the Middle East. PM4 is just the beginning—we are committed to expanding our footprint across all MENA regions, solidifying our leadership in premium tissue paper manufacturing.
With this state-of-the-art tissue mill, we are shaping the future of the industry, setting new standards for quality, efficiency, and sustainability. This is just the start of our journey towards becoming a global leader in tissue paper production.
At the heart of the operations of this new mill is Valmet’s high-speed tissue paper machine, capable of producing tissue paper at an impressive speed of 2,200 meters per minute, making it the fastest tissue paper machine in the world.
