Mepco unit breaks ground on tissue manufacturing facility at Saudi's KAEC
Middle East Paper Company (Mepco), one of the largest paper manufacturers in the region, has announced that its key unit - Juthor Paper Manufacturing Company - has broken ground on TM6 - the second production line for tissue manufacturing at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) - near Jeddah.
TM6, which is being set up at a total investment of SAR345 million ($92 million), will significantly expand Juthor's manufacturing output, increasing annual capacity to 120,000 tonnes and operating at a speed of 2,100 m per minute.
Andritz, an Austria-based international technology group, will be assisting Juthor in the project by providing advanced plants, equipment, services, and digital solutions, to the group.
It will also be responsible for the manufacture, supply, and installation of the facility within a two-year period.
TM6 supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by advancing local manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports, creating skilled jobs, and adhering to world-class environmental standards.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by senior representatives from different government and private entities like Modon and Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority along with the Juthor and Mepco senior leadership teams.
Commenting on the launch, Musab Al-Muhaidib, the Chairman of the Board at Mepco Group, said: "The launch of TM6 is a testament to our unwavering belief in Saudi Arabia's industrial future. As we align with Vision 2030, this expansion strengthens our role in enabling local manufacturing and advancing the Kingdom's self-sufficiency in the tissue sector."
The facility will utilise cutting-edge technology and sustainable manufacturing methods to align with Mepco's environmental goals, including efficient resource use and minimizing carbon emissions," he stated.
Mepco Group President Eng. Faisal Haddawi said: "We do not simply build capacity - we build value, resilience, and trust. TM6 will accelerate our strategy for sustainable growth while deepening our contribution to the Saudi economy and regional markets."
Juthor remains committed to continuous investment in manufacturing innovation to meet the growing demand for high-quality tissue paper products in the Kingdom and the wider Mena region, he added.
Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
30 minutes ago
- Zawya
Tunisia ranks 2nd in Africa and 62nd globally in Energy Transition Index
Tunis – Tunisia has made significant progress in the global energy transition landscape, climbing 27 spots to rank 62nd worldwide out of 118 countries in the 2025 Energy Transition Index (ETI), published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This marks a notable improvement from its 89th position in 2024, making Tunisia the second-highest ranked country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With an overall score of 54.6 points, Tunisia stands out for its steady advancements toward a more sustainable and secure energy system. The Energy Transition Index (ETI) provides a data-driven framework to assess how 118 countries are positioned to navigate the evolving energy landscape. It measures both system performance (security, equity and sustainability outcomes) and transition readiness (enablers of progress, including regulations and political commitment, finance and investment, education and human capital, infrastructure, and innovation), resulting in an ETI score. According to the report, Tunisia demonstrates strong preparedness to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, particularly in the structure and readiness of its energy system. The country performed well in areas such as system performance, security, sustainability, and equity, despite ongoing needs to strengthen governance and enhance innovation and investment. In the MENA region, Tunisia ranks just behind Saudi Arabia (60th with 55.0 points) and ahead of the United Arab Emirates (48th with 58.4 points). On the African continent, Nigeria leads at 61st with a score of approximately 54.8, followed by Tunisia. Other African countries trailing behind include Namibia (64th), Mauritius (69th), Morocco (70th), Egypt (74th), South Africa (79th), Kenya (88th), and Algeria (89th). Côte d'Ivoire completes the African top 10 at 90th globally. Tunisia's detailed scores are: System Performance (Security, Sustainability, Equity): 59.7 Transition Readiness (Governance, Infrastructure, Innovation, Investment): 46.9 Commenting on the ETI ranking, Director of Solar Energy at the National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME) Nefaâ Baccari underlined that Tunisia's progress is both significant and expected, showing nearly a decade of sustained national efforts toward energy transition. He cited ongoing reforms, such as the establishment and updating of the regulatory framework and the simplification of administrative procedures. "The installed solar energy capacity in Tunisia currently stands at around 700 MW (across solar, wind, hydro, etc.) and is expected to reach 1,000 MW by the end of 2025," Baccari told TAP. He emphasized that the country is now beginning to reap the benefits of these long-term efforts, and that their impact will become increasingly visible each year. Tunisia remains committed to achieving its energy transition goals by 2035 and ultimately reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Gulf Business
3 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Riyadh lands its first official Monopoly board game
Image: Supplied Saudi Arabia's capital has just passed 'Go' for one of the world's most iconic board games. Riyadh Monopoly , the city's first official edition of the world's best-selling board game, was officially unveiled on Thursday at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), turning skyscrapers, heritage sites and infrastructure projects into tradable tiles. The launch, hosted at the KAFD Conference Centre, brought together senior figures from government, business, education and culture to celebrate what organisers called a 'storytelling platform' for Riyadh's transformation. First launched in 1935, Monopoly has sold over 275 million copies and holds a Guinness World Record as the best-selling board game in history. Riyadh now joins the ranks of global cities, including Dubai, with custom editions. The game will be available in stores across the Kingdom from September 2025. This edition of Monopoly is licensed by Hasbro and produced by KEAD Entertainment. 'Riyadh Monopoly reflects our goal of making big, strategic projects accessible and engaging to all ages,' said Mazroua Al-Mazroua, chief marketing and experience officer at the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC). 'As the leading destination for international and local businesses in Saudi Arabia, we are creating new opportunities for the next generation to thrive.' More than just a novelty, Riyadh Monopoly is being positioned as a cultural artefact: one that captures the Kingdom's economic ambitions, youth demographics and growing global visibility. With over half the city's population under the age of 20, the game's developers see it as both an educational tool and a piece of national branding. 'This colourful board game captures the city's energy and ambition,' Al-Mazroua added. 'It's a fun way for families and friends to connect with Riyadh's heritage and its exciting future.' Featured landmarks include KAFD, key government entities, and prominent schools such as the British International School Riyadh (BISR). 'We're thrilled to be featured on the board,' said Anna Power, Principal at BISR Diplomatic Quarter. More than just a game The move also reflects Saudi Arabia's broader cultural shift. In line with its diversification goals, the Kingdom has rapidly emerged as a hub for leisure and entertainment. Sharif Hamad bin Majed Alowaishiq, founder and chairman of the Saudi Youth Society, said the game offers a rare blend of education and civic pride. 'This is a brilliant platform for young Saudis to engage with their culture while dreaming big. New generations can see the city's stunning transformation, with important investment in both urban development and cultural preservation.'


Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Oman's Rakiza Fund eyes key infrastructure opportunities
MUSCAT: Oman-based infrastructure fund manager Rakiza, a platform under the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), is eyeing new investment opportunities in the water and digital infrastructure sectors, according to the Fund's Chief Executive Officer, Muneer al Muneeri. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg TV on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Annual Meeting 2025, held in Beijing, Al Muneeri said the Fund continues to leverage its strong regional ties and deep market insight to build a robust and resilient infrastructure portfolio across Oman and Saudi Arabia. Rakiza, which manages a billion-dollar infrastructure-focused fund, currently invests in a mix of core assets, including logistics, power, social infrastructure, and increasingly, digital infrastructure. Over the past five years, the Fund has concentrated its efforts in Oman and Saudi Arabia, amassing a portfolio of five key assets across both countries. Among its notable holdings is a stake in Oman International Container Terminal (OICT), the main shipping gateway for northern Oman. Rakiza also owns 30% of Helios Oman, the largest independent telecom tower company in Oman, and 40% of Oman Broadband, the country's monopoly provider of fibre-to-the-home networks. In Saudi Arabia, Rakiza holds a 40% interest in Tihama, a power generation project serving Saudi Aramco, while in Oman, it is invested in the Khazaen Fruits & Vegetable Market (Silal)—a major logistics hub for the food sector developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis just outside Muscat. Looking ahead to the next 12 to 24 months, Al Muneeri said Rakiza remains focused on its core sectors, but sees rising opportunity in water infrastructure and continued potential in digital infrastructure. 'We continue to explore opportunities that offer the right balance of risk and fair returns for our investors,' he said. He added that the Fund targets low- to mid-teen internal rates of return (IRR) and has been able to consistently find such opportunities in the region. Addressing competition from global funds entering the region, Al Muneeri emphasised Rakiza's unique position as a local and regional champion. 'That's our story — we're local, we understand the market, we speak the language, and we know the legal and regulatory frameworks,' he said. 'We've been able to demonstrate to strategic investors that we are the right local partner. And certainly, we've secured several off-market transactions thanks to our regional credibility and positioning.' When asked about investor sentiment in light of recent regional tensions, particularly following the escalation of conflict in Iran, Al Muneeri acknowledged short-term concerns but underscored the resilient nature of infrastructure investing. 'Yes, in the short term, such events may impact sentiment and lead to repricing of risk,' he said. 'But infrastructure is by design a long-term, essential investment — covering sectors like power, water, ports—often backed by long-term contracts or concession agreements that insulate it from short-term volatility.' He added that Rakiza's deep understanding of regional dynamics has allowed the Fund to navigate risks effectively and identify solid, forward-looking investment opportunities.