March 18, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WILMINGTON, Del. (USA) — Solenis LLC, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, is proud to honor Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company (SPM) with the 2024 Solenis Sustainability Award. This recognition highlights SPM’s commitment to sustainability through the implementation of advanced process efficiency solutions that optimize resource use, reduce emissions, and improve operational performance.
Operating a large-scale paper mill comes with significant challenges, particularly in maintaining process water quality and reducing chemical consumption. At SPM’s Dammam site, frequent issues with fine particle accumulation led to numerous machine performance problems, including excessive use of wet strength resin and increased environmental impact. To address these issues, Solenis introduced PerForm™ SP 4715 KR, a retention and drainage aid that significantly enhanced system performance, stabilized machine operations, and improved resource efficiency.
"The collaboration between Solenis and Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company exemplifies how targeted process improvements can lead to significant environmental and financial gains," said Mahmoud Abu Baker, Sales & Technical Manager, Middle East at Solenis. "By enhancing retention performance and reducing resin consumption, SPM has not only optimized production but also cut carbon emissions on a large scale. Their proactive approach to sustainability serves as an industry model, and we are proud to support them in achieving their ambitious environmental goals.”
Sustainability Achievements
- Enhanced process stability and resource efficiency: Improved ability to filter out fine particles by 70%, reducing chemical demand and optimizing operational performance by using PerForm™ SP 4715 KR retention and drainage aid.
- Reduced Wet Strength Resin Consumption: Achieved a 27-30% reduction in resin use, equating to eight fewer full container loads per year.
- Water and Effluent Improvements: Reduced wastewater solids from >400 ppm to <250 ppm, improving water quality and system efficiency.
- Carbon Footprint Reduction: Lowered Scope 3 CO₂ emissions by 338,536 kg annually, cutting emissions from both production and transportation.
- Cost Savings: Achieved an annual operational cost reduction of over $353,000 through efficiency gains.
“This recognition is a testament to the strong collaboration between our two companies. The synergy between our teams has been instrumental in achieving meaningful results that benefit not only our organizations but also the communities we serve.” said Mohamed Abdelghaffar, the Group Operations Director.
Beyond these achievements, SPM continues to explore additional sustainability initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to long-term environmental responsibility. The company is evaluating further process optimizations to sustain and enhance these gains.
Established in 2020, the Solenis Sustainability Awards recognize projects that excel in reducing water use, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste. SPM exemplifies these principles through its innovative approach to resource management and operational excellence.
About Solenis
Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including pulp and paper, institutional, industrial, food and beverage, and pool and spa water markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 70 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 16,500 professionals in 130 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2024 Best Managed Company Gold Standard honoree.
For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com or follow us on social media.
About Saudi Paper Manufacturing
Established in 1989 as a small individual firm, Saudi Paper embarked on its journey into paper manufacturing in 1991. Just a year later, in 1992, the company set up its first production unit with an annual capacity of 16,000 tons.
Over the past 35 years, Saudi Paper has evolved into a leading force in the tissue paper industry, continuously expanding its production capacity. Today, we are among the largest tissue paper manufacturers in the region, with an annual capacity of 121,000 tons. This growth trajectory continues, with our capacity set to reach 150,000 tons by the end of 2025 and 190,000 tons by 2026.
Saudi Paper remains committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability, shaping the future of the tissue paper industry.