The trial run of Vajda-Papír's latest paper machine has started, which will triple the company's base paper production capacity at one of the world's most modern tissue paper mills.

The first roll has been rolled off the world-class base paper machine, which will ensure the company's continued growth in Europe's most modern hygiene paper mill. The equipment, which is the main element of the expansion of Vajda-Papír's Dunaföldvár mill with a new mill unit, was supplied, installed and commissioned by the Italian company Toscotec in Dunaföldvár. The world-class, energy-efficient base paper machine will be the "heart" of the new mill, which will be handed over soon, with a production capacity of 10 tonnes per hour and 80 000 tonnes of rolls per year. One of the largest and fastest paper machines in Europe, it will ensure the self-sufficiency of Hungary's leading manufacturer of tissue paper products in base paper and double the company's production capacity. The investment was made with government support.

Attila Vajda, founder and managing director of Vajda-Papír, described the world-class paper machine as another milestone in the company's life, increasing its production capacity from 35,000 to 115,000 tonnes, significantly improving the company's ability to expand its foreign markets. He said the decision to purchase the world-class base paper machine as part of its soon-to-be-converted mill expansion investment was also made to meet the growing domestic and foreign market demand for high quality. Attila Vajda emphasized that the company's annual production of hygienic base paper significantly exceeds the domestic demand, and Hungary's self-sufficiency can be ensured by the consumption of hygienic paper even with the increasing sanitary requirements and demands.

He said that in the summer of 2022, a new mill will be inaugurated in one of the world's most modern hygienic paper mills, with a world-class Toscotec paper machine capable of producing a 5.6 m wide stock roll, a production capacity of 80,000 tonnes/year, outstanding energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, after being equipped with a multi-stage energy recovery system. The state-of-the-art base paper machine is one of the largest and fastest paper machines on the continent, weighing thousands of tonnes, twice the size of the first paper machine at Vajda-Papír's Dunaföldvár mill, which went into operation in 2018.

The electrical installation and control, dust and vapour removal systems, boiler house, bridge cranes, air compressor station, automated roll handling and packaging systems, and hall ventilation with conditioning system are all part of the paper machine. Vajda-Papier has also purchased a comprehensive turnkey service package, which includes training of the company's technicians in addition to commissioning.

Attila Vajda also mentioned that Toscotec's experience in turnkey plants has enabled it to complete the project, which started at the beginning of the year, on time despite the tight deadline. "At Vajda-Papír, we choose the most advanced and energy-efficient machine to produce premium quality paper products for our customers and consumers," he said.

Marco Dalle Piagge, Toscotec's Sales Director, noted that the Vajda-Papier investment also strengthened its position as a leading global supplier of turnkey solutions for the paper industry. He also said that with the Vajda-Papier order, Toscotec will increase its market penetration in Eastern and Central Europe.

Attila Vajda pointed out that since 2018, the Group has been producing part of the hygienic base paper needed for production at its plant in Dunaföldvár, and now the Vajda-Papír Group will be fully self-sufficient in the supply of base paper at its new mill. The Dunaföldvár mill, one of the world's most modern hygiene paper mills, was inaugurated in 2018 with an investment of HUF 15 billion, and the development and expansion has been in progress practically since its opening, he said. He recalled that this year they won the Factory of the Year 2021 award. The company has invested more than HUF 20 billion in the past 10 years to ensure that production and operations are carried out using the most modern and environmentally friendly technologies.

He highlighted that after 2020, 2021 was another record year for Vajda-Papír, and this year's prospects are also encouraging. In 2020, the group's total turnover reached HUF 52 billion, which represents a ten percent increase compared to 2019. And last year, the turnover of the 22-year-old Vajda-Papír Group, Hungary's market leader and largest manufacturer of hygiene paper products with the largest output, increased by another ten percent, from HUF 52 billion to HUF 57 billion.

The company's Ooops! branded and private label hygiene paper products - toilet paper, tissue paper, paper towels, paper napkins - are supplied to Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Central and Eastern Europe and more than 30 countries around the world.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Vajda-Papír was established 22 years ago as a family business, employing around 650 people across the group. In addition to sales in Hungary, the company's tissue paper products are exported to more than 30 countries worldwide. In 2013, the group entered the Norwegian market and has been successfully operating a factory there for 10 years, employing more than 130 people.