GrandBay Group orders third Toscotec tissue line for its Mexican expansion

Strategic Capacity Injection in Latin America

The Latin American tissue market continues its aggressive consolidation and capacity expansion. In a clear signal of its regional ambitions, GrandBay Group has tapped Italian manufacturer Toscotec for a new turnkey tissue line at its Blue Tissue facility in Apizaco, Mexico. Scheduled for start-up in the first half of 2027, this PM2 project marks the third major collaboration between the two companies in just five years, following successful installations in Guatemala and Colombia.

Technical Specifications and Premium Focus

The technical specifications of the new line reflect a deliberate pivot toward high-efficiency, premium production. The AHEAD 2.2 machine features a sheet trim width of 2,750 mm and is engineered to add 30,000 tons of annual capacity to GrandBay’s Mexican operations. The output will be strictly dedicated to premium tissue and kitchen towel grades, segments that are currently driving margin growth across the North American and Latin American borders.

Energy Efficiency at the Core

What makes this installation technically noteworthy is the comprehensive scope of the energy-saving components. Toscotec is delivering its TT NextPress shoe press technology alongside a TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer and high-efficiency TT Hoods. In the current industrial landscape of 2026, where energy costs and sustainability mandates dictate market competitiveness, this configuration is no longer a luxury but a baseline requirement for profitability. The turnkey package also includes the complete stock preparation system, the TT Brain DCS control system, full electrification, erection, and training services.

Market Dynamics in Mexico

GrandBay’s expansion in Apizaco is not happening in a vacuum. The Mexican tissue market has seen robust growth, fueled by urbanization, a booming hospitality sector, and shifting consumer preferences toward higher-quality, multi-ply products. Recent market data indicates that Mexico produces over 2 million tons of tissue annually, with a significant portion relying on recycled fibers. By integrating Blue Tissue into its broader network and immediately injecting state-of-the-art virgin and recycled capacity, GrandBay is positioning itself to capture a larger share of this expanding pie, directly challenging established domestic players.

The Value of Technological Standardization

The recurring partnership between GrandBay and Toscotec also highlights a broader industry trend: tissue producers are increasingly relying on trusted, single-source technology partners to standardize operations across different geographies. Having identical or highly similar machine architectures in Guatemala, Colombia, and now Mexico simplifies maintenance, operator training, and spare parts management for the group. This level of standardization reduces downtime and accelerates the learning curve for mill operators, a critical advantage in a tight labor market.

Furthermore, the focus on premium kitchen towels and bath tissue aligns with the rapid expansion of modern retail and e-commerce channels in Mexico. Consumers are demanding products that offer higher absorbency and strength, which requires advanced pressing and drying technologies like those provided by the AHEAD 2.2 platform. The ability to produce these grades efficiently will give GrandBay a significant edge in both consumer and away-from-home (AfH) markets.

GrandBay’s aggressive capacity expansion with Toscotec’s proven AHEAD platform demonstrates a textbook approach to scaling premium tissue production while keeping a tight leash on energy consumption. Will this standardized, multi-country technology strategy become the blueprint for other regional players looking to dominate the Latin American tissue market? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai