Successful start-up of cutting-edge paper machine Grupo Gondi PM 7 in Mexico

At the beginning of January, the PM 7 of Grupo Gondi, one of Mexico's largest paper manufactures, was successfully commissioned at the new Papel y Empaques mill in Monterrey. The paper machine is set to produce 400,000 tons of high-performance light weight recycled containerboard annually with Voith's leading technology.

"The plant is one of the most modern recycling board mills in Latin America. The start-up of PM 7 is an important step for us. Together with Voith, we will continue our efforts to increase our market position for high-performance lightweight recycled containerboard in Mexico and Latin America with innovative production solutions," says Eduardo Posada, CEO of Grupo Gondi.

Dr. Felix Rocha Echeverria, Business Group Director Paper of Grupo Gondi, adds: "It was a great pleasure to work with the Gondi Voith team. The success of the project would not have been possible without our experts from Grupo Gondi and the trusting partnership with Voith. We have now laid a good basis and look forward to the next steps."

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Voith was able to hand over the line to Grupo Gondi to its satisfaction. "We were only able to achieve this because of the successful cooperation of the entire team and the trusting partnership between Voith and Grupo Gondi," says Christian Deide, Project Manager Voith Paper. "With the PM 7, Voith contributes to Latin America's sustainable paper production."

As a full-line supplier, Voith supplied the entire production line, including the BlueLine stock preparation line, including the conveying and reject handling, the XcelLine paper machine, as well as the MCS, DCS and QCS automation solutions. The XcelLine paper machine, with a working width of 6,600 mm at the reel and a design speed of 1,200 m/min, produces testliner and corrugating medium with basis weights in the range of 90 to 250 g/m2.