July 15, 2026 — Solo Soft White Tissues of Egypt and Shandong Hicredit Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. signed an agreement at the China National Convention Center in Beijing for the purchase of two tissue paper production lines.
Upon completion, Solo Soft White Tissues' annual tissue production capacity will account for approximately 31% of Egypt's total tissue production capacity, with projected annual sales of US$168 million.
This marks the second collaboration between the two companies. In 2023, Shandong Hicredit Heavy Machinery supplied Solo Soft White Tissues with its first intelligent tissue paper production line, introducing green lightweight-basis-weight technology to the Egyptian market and helping the local tissue industry enter the 'four-ply tissue era.' Building on its confidence in Chinese equipment and technology, Solo Soft White Tissues has now ordered two additional production lines from Hicredit Heavy Machinery, which will undertake the complete engineering, procurement, and construction of the high-speed, energy-efficient, intelligent integrated production systems with a combined annual capacity of 56,000 tonnes.
According to the companies, once the project is commissioned, it will significantly strengthen Egypt's domestic tissue manufacturing capabilities, reduce reliance on imported finished tissue products, and stimulate the development of supporting industries such as logistics and equipment maintenance. The project aims to achieve 100% localized production and is expected to create a substantial number of highly skilled jobs in Egypt.
Against the backdrop of the alignment between China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Egypt's Vision 2030, Chinese papermaking equipment manufacturers are actively supporting Egypt's industrial digitalization and green transformation through their technological expertise and cost advantages. Shandong Hicredit Heavy Machinery has exported more than 150 papermaking production lines worldwide, with its products serving customers in over 30 countries and regions.
Hassan Akef, Chairman of Solo Soft White Tissues, stated that Hicredit Heavy Machinery's intelligent manufacturing solutions will further leverage the group's competitive strengths. Once operational, the new production lines will create significant employment opportunities in Egypt and enhance the country's sustainable export capacity and foreign exchange earnings.
Jia Keqin, Chairman of Shandong Hicredit Heavy Machinery, said that this renewed cooperation is a vivid example of the deep integration of the real economies of China and Egypt. The company will continue to support the upgrading of Egypt's traditional manufacturing industry with internationally advanced green and low-carbon technologies.
Representatives from the China-Africa Business Council, the China Paper Association, the China National Association of Light Industry Machinery, along with senior executives from both companies, attended the signing ceremony to witness the partnership.
