The Saica Paper management committee, together with part of the MP9 team.

25 years of PM 9: Saica and Voith set standards in paper production

El Burgo de Ebro (Zaragoza), Spain / Heideneim, Germany, 10 Oct 2025

• PM 9 was initially launched as the fastest paper machine for lightweight containerboard and increased Saica’s production capacity by 350,000 tons per year.

• Successful collaboration between Voith and Saica set new benchmarks in the paper industry and today maintains PM 9’s leadership position in operational efficiency and product quality.

On October 12, Saica Group and Voith will celebrate 25 years of the PM 9 production line at Saica in El Burgo de Ebro, Zaragoza, Spain. Today, the board and packaging machine is regarded as a true benchmark and leader in terms of operational efficiency and product quality.

PM 9 started up on October 12, 2000. The production line was designed to meet Saica’s goal of producing a basis weight range of 75 to 110 g/m2 with operational speeds from 975 to 1,450 m/min and a production capacity of 350,000 tons per year. These speeds were totally unknown in those times for board and packaging grades. The line set new standards in the production of high-performance lightweight containerboard and has since reached annual production outputs well above its original design.

“When Saica’s board of directors decided to invest in a new facility for the production of lightweight corrugating medium grades, we knew we needed a machine that didn’t yet exist,” recalls Roberto Arnaiz, Mill Manager at Saica Paper El Burgo de Ebro. “Voith supported us from the beginning, and together we developed a facility that exceeded all our expectations.”

“The PM 9 at Saica is a prime example of innovation and technical excellence,” says Ralf Sorg, President Projects at Voith Paper. “Since its commissioning, it has not only significantly increased Saica’s production capacity but also set new standards for efficiency and quality in paper production. The PM 9 is a symbol of the success of the long-standing and trusting partnership between Voith and Saica.”

“The successful commissioning and smooth operation of the PM 9 are the results of long-lasting and close collaboration and high commitment from both teams,” Arnaiz continues. “We are proud that the PM 9 remains a significant element of our production line even 25 years later.”

Voith and Saica have made history together and look back on a quarter-century of innovation and success. The PM 9 remains a symbol of technological excellence and partnership in the paper industry. Voith looks forward to continuing to participate in the optimization and further development of the facility in the coming years.

To mark this milestone, Saica and Voith will collaborate on an innovative project to further increase the efficiency and sustainability of the production line. The upgrade is scheduled for March 2026.

About the Saica Group

The Saica Group offers sustainable paper solutions for the manufacturing of corrugated cardboard and packaging, promoting circularity in waste management. With more than 12,000 employees and a presence in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States, the Saica Group has four business divisions: the manufacturing recycled paper for corrugated cardboard (Saica Paper), waste management and environmental services (Saica Natur), the production of corrugated cardboard packaging (Saica Pack) and flexible packaging (Saica Flex). The group's turnover is 3,662 million euros (consolidated sales on 31 December 2024).

About the Voith Group

The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport. Founded in 1867, Voith today has around 22,000 employees, sales of € 5.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and thus is one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market, and offers paper manufacturers integrated solutions from a single source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and supports customers in significantly reducing their carbon footprint. With its comprehensive automation products and leading digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve the availability and efficiency of their systems in all sections of the production process.