ANDRITZ to deliver Africa’s first spunlace production line with SNC Kherib in Algeria

ANDRITZ to deliver Africa’s first spunlace production line with SNC Kherib in Algeria

(IN BRIEF) ANDRITZ has secured an order from SNC Kherib et Cie. to supply a complete spunlace line for its plant in Bejaia City, Algeria, marking the first ANDRITZ spunlace line to be installed in Africa. Scheduled to start up in late Q3 2026, the line will process viscose and polyester fibers to produce high-quality spunlace roll goods for the growing wet wipes market. The investment, driven by the Kherib family, underscores the company’s pioneering role in advancing the spunlace industry on the continent. Farid Kherib described the partnership with ANDRITZ as a commitment to bringing innovative, state-of-the-art solutions to meet the needs of African consumers.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRAZ, 19-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — ANDRITZ has received an order from SNC Kherib et Cie. to deliver a complete spunlace production line for the company’s facility in Bejaia City, Algeria, with commissioning scheduled for the end of the third quarter of 2026. The installation will mark a historic milestone as the very first ANDRITZ spunlace line to be set up on the African continent.

Contract signature at Kherib familly’s facility in Bejaia, Algeria. From left to right: Caterina Potenza (Sales Agent), Farid Kherib (Founder of SNC Kherib), Nicolas Canas (ANDRITZ Area Sales Manager), Smail Kherib (General Manager of SNC Kherib), Arnaud Laroche (ANDRITZ Head of Sales Spunlace)

The new line will process viscose and polyester fibers, enabling SNC Kherib to manufacture premium-quality spunlace roll goods specifically for the wet wipes market. This investment aims to respond to the increasing demand from African consumers and represents a pivotal step in the advancement of the spunlace industry across the region. By introducing state-of-the-art spunlace technology, SNC Kherib is positioning itself as a pioneer and opening doors for future opportunities among local converters.

The project reflects the strong involvement of the Kherib family, with each member contributing to the development of this strategic investment. Farid Kherib, founder of SNC Kherib, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “We are proud to collaborate with a global leader like ANDRITZ. This partnership highlights our commitment and passion for developing innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of the African market using state-of-the-art equipment.”

Although the order value remains confidential, it is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2025.

Located in the Bejaia region of Algeria, SNC Kherib is a diversified family business with activities ranging from nonwovens production—including viscose and cotton cleaning cloths, polyester wadding for mattresses and pillows—to PVC cling film, PP woven bags, PVC doors, and sandwich panels. With this new project, the company is strengthening its role as a key industrial player while contributing to the modernization of Africa’s textile and nonwovens sector.

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ provides advanced plants, equipment, services, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries, including pulp and paper, metals, hydropower, environmental, and others. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in Austria, the publicly listed group employs about 30,000 people at 280 locations in over 80 countries.

As a global leader in technology and innovation, ANDRITZ is committed to fostering progress that benefits customers, partners, employees, society, and the environment. The company’s growth is driven by sustainable solutions enabling the green transition, advanced digitalization for highest industrial performance, and comprehensive services that maximize the value of customers’ plants over their entire life cycle. ANDRITZ. FOR GROWTH THAT MATTERS.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides sustainable technology, automation, and service solutions for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on increased production efficiency, lower overall operating costs as well as innovative decarbonization strategies and autonomous plant operation.

The product portfolio also includes boilers for power generation, various nonwoven technologies, and panelboard (MDF) production systems. With waste-to-value recycling, shredding and energy solutions, waste and by-product streams from production are converted into valuable secondary raw materials as well as into sustainable resources for energy generation. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

Media Contact:

Susan Trast
HEAD OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
susan.trast@andritz.com

SOURCE: ANDRITZ