Voith and Modern Karton achieve successful start-up of high-speed PM 6 in Zonguldak, boosting containerboard capacity in Turkey and Europe

The joint team after start-up

(IN BRIEF) Voith, Modern Karton, and Harbin Electric International (HEI) have announced the successful start-up of the high-speed PM 6 paper machine and BlueLine stock preparation system at Modern Karton’s Zonguldak facility. Capable of producing up to 640,000 metric tons of recycled containerboard annually, the new plant will boost Modern Karton’s overall production capacity to nearly two million metric tons per year, reinforcing its role as Turkey’s largest packaging paper producer and one of Europe’s leading manufacturers. The project was delivered through close cooperation between Voith, Modern Karton, and HEI, underscoring decades of trusted partnership. Voith supplied its full-line portfolio including advanced stock preparation, automation, digital Papermaking 4.0 solutions, and comprehensive training. The new plant enhances efficiency, sustainability, and technological innovation, ensuring Modern Karton’s competitiveness in global markets.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZONGULDAK/HEIDENHEIM, 6-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Voith, together with long-standing partner Modern Karton and project execution partner Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI), has successfully launched the new XcelLine PM 6 paper machine and BlueLine stock preparation plant at Modern Karton’s Zonguldak site. The advanced facility is designed to produce up to 640,000 metric tons of recycled containerboard annually, significantly boosting Modern Karton’s production capacity to nearly two million metric tons per year. This milestone strengthens Modern Karton’s position as Turkey’s largest packaging paper producer and one of the largest in Europe.

The achievement highlights the decades-long collaboration between Voith and Modern Karton, built on mutual trust and technical expertise. HEI also played a vital role as the project execution partner, contributing to the smooth and timely delivery of the plant.

Leadership voices on the achievement
Hamdullah Eren, Chairman of Eren Holding, said: “The successful start-up of this new plant is a milestone for Modern Karton. Our cooperation with Voith has once again demonstrated that together we can deliver exceptional results. This expansion not only enhances our production capacity but also consolidates our leadership position in the market.”

Ralf Sorg, President Projects at Voith Paper, emphasized: “We are proud that Modern Karton has chosen to rely on our most efficient technologies. The successful start-up of PM 6 demonstrates the strength of our solutions, which combine performance, sustainability, and reliability. This provides Modern Karton with an excellent foundation for the future.”

Additional perspectives were shared by Tamer Zengin, Project Manager of PM 6 at Modern Karton, who highlighted Voith’s customer-focused approach, and Christian Deide, Project Manager at Voith Paper, who praised the trust-based collaboration. Xu Tie, Project Manager at HEI, noted that this first paper industry project for HEI was a success thanks to strong partnerships.

Technology and scope of supply
Voith’s scope for PM 6 included the BlueLine stock preparation system with approach flow, the XcelLine paper machine, and the VariFlex Performance winder equipped with SmoothRun vibration damping and TwinDrive double unwinding. Subsidiary Meri delivered a complete reject and sludge handling system.

Advanced automation and digital solutions were integrated, including the OnQuality quality control system, OnCare.Health condition monitoring, and OnControl MCS and DCS. The facility is also equipped with Papermaking 4.0 tools such as the OnCumulus IIoT platform, OnEfficiency.Strength process optimization, and OnCare.Asset maintenance management. Voith also provided e-learning and VR training programs via PaperSchool to train Modern Karton’s staff for future operations.

This comprehensive package ensures maximum efficiency, sustainable production, and the latest digitalization capabilities for Modern Karton’s operations in Turkey.

About Modern Karton Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.

Modern Karton Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. is headquartered in the town of Istanbul, with three paper machines located in Ergene (Corlu) in the European part of Turkey, 100 km northwest of Istanbul. Founded in 1978, Modern Karton is now the largest packaging paper producer in Turkey and one of the largest packaging paper producers in Europe. The mill has an annual production capacity of over 1,450,000 tons based on 100 percent recycled fibers.

About Harbin Electric International Company Limited

Harbin Electric International Co., Ltd. (HEI), an important member of HE Group, is China’s leading large-scale enterprise in power project contracting and export of power equipment. Established in 1983, HEI is primarily engaged in the supply of complete sets of equipment; the undertaking of EPC projects; and the construction of relative substation, transmission lines and other utilities in the area of thermal power plants, hydropower station projects, combined-cycle power plants and wind power projects. HEI also provides comprehensive professional after-sale service for the power plant.

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 & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 22,000 employees, sales of € 5.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

About Voith Paper

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 holistic solutions from one source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.

Media Contact:

Dworschak Niklas
Global Communication Manager Voith Paper
TeL: +497321372051

SOURCE: Voith