Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO) marked a significant engineering milestone in the delivery of its fifth paper machine project, PM5, with a ceremony commemorating the installation of the machine’s sole plates. This milestone represents a tangible step forward in translating MEPCO’s growth ambitions into industrial progress. The sole plates provide the foundation for the paper machine’s installation, supporting its components and enabling precise alignment and stability as the project advances through subsequent assembly and installation stages. Located in Jeddah’s Third Industrial City in Jeddah, PM5 is designed to add 450,000 tons of annual production capacity for lightweight fluting and liner grades. Incorporating advanced technology from Voith, the machine will have a design speed of 1,600 meters per minute and produce paper with basis weights ranging from 70 to 140 grams per square meter. The project reflects MEPCO’s commitment to expanding its manufacturing capabilities, developing its product portfolio, and strengthening its ability to serve customers across domestic, regional, and international markets, with a continued focus on product quality, operational efficiency, and resource optimization. This milestone also reflects the coordinated efforts of the project teams and partners, whose technical expertise and collaboration are essential to delivering a complex industrial development while maintaining quality and safety standards throughout execution. Through PM5, MEPCO continues to invest in the future of papermaking, create greater value from recycled materials, and strengthen local supply chains, contributing to the development of Saudi Arabia’s industrial base and supporting the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.
