Keeping Track

General Emballage Selects ANDRITZ to Supply Africa’s Largest Paper Machine

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International technology group ANDRITZ has received a major order from General Emballage to supply a complete PrimeLine paper production line for a greenfield mill in Naama, Algeria.

It will include the widest and highest-capacity paper machine in Africa. Start-up is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028.

The order value is in the low three-digit million-euro range. It is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026.

With this investment, Algeria’s largest corrugated packaging producer is implementing its first paper production line, which will produce testliner and fluting paper grades. The paper machine will have a capacity of 350,000 tonnes per year, a web width of 7.5 metres, and a design speed of 1,200 metres per minute.

ANDRITZ’s scope comprises the complete paper production line, including stock preparation, winder, automation and digitalisation package, spare and wear parts, and service contracts. The line will be designed to support General Emballage’s key strategic goals, including minimal freshwater consumption, high energy efficiency and maximum plant availability through advanced automation and digitalisation solutions.

This investment is a milestone for us, so we were very careful in choosing our partner. ANDRITZ convinced us not only with its outstanding technology, but also with the way it responded to our specific situation and needs. We expect a fruitful and long-term partnership between our two companies.

Ramdane Batouche, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Emballage

Gerald Steiner, Senior Vice President Paper & Tissue of ANDRITZ added, “With this major project, ANDRITZ underscores its commitment to being a reliable, and sustainable partner supplying complete paper production lines to the industry – today and in the future.”

Advanced technology for efficient and sustainable production
The ANDRITZ supply includes state-of-the-art equipment and systems designed to maximise efficiency, product quality and sustainability:

  • Stock preparation: The stock preparation line is optimised for efficient processing of 100 per cent OCC to provide consistently high-quality fibre. It enables efficient contaminant removal, optimised fibre development and high operational stability, while minimising specific energy and freshwater consumption.
  • Paper machine: The core of the production line is the headbox and gap former concept. ANDRITZ will supply a two-layer PrimeFlow AT headbox with an accelerating tube design and optimal turbulence control at minimum energy and water consumption. This will be combined with a PrimeForm TW shoe-blade gap former designed to deliver excellent mechanical properties of the recycled furnish at maximum dewatering rate. The scope of supply also includes roll covers and machine clothing.
  • Automation and digitalisation: The line will be equipped with a comprehensive package of solutions to drive efficiency, sustainability and operational excellence. The Metris Automation & Digitalisation All-in-One platform provides real-time insight, intelligent control and data-driven optimisation of paper quality and machine performance. The scope also includes an advanced operator training simulator, Procemex systems for quality assurance and material tracking, high-performance NAF control valves and a fully integrated distributed control system (DCS). Together, these technologies transform operational data into actionable intelligence, enabling reliable operation and a future-ready production line.