As the Mexican market continues to grow, three companies have reportedly chosen plant engineering solutions from Sacmi. Interceramic chose Sacmi to implement an expansion at its facility in Chihuahua, Mexico. The new plant, Planta 9B, will reportedly increase its large porcelain tile output by 3.5 million sq m per year. Key to the project are two Sacmi PH 3800 presses, equipped with a rapid mold changeover system that can allow a rapid response to a range of market needs. The high-performance presses can reportedly produce tiles as large as 600 x 1200.

Sacmi also supplied a FMP 2950 kiln over 140 m long. It is equipped with a heat recovery circuit and the Hercules control system to optimize performance and consumption. The plant will officially come online on July 15.

The Lamosa-Porcelanite Group, another Mexican producer, has decided to focus on large sized tiles by choosing Sacmi plant engineering solutions. Its modernization and output enhancement program reportedly involves several factories: Planta Benito Juarez, where red body production line capacity is being doubled with PH 3800 presses combined with a FMP 2950 kiln; Planta Porcel, which is installing a PH 3200 (also with a rapid size changeover system); and Planta San Luis Potosì, where a new dryer for two new glazing lines is being installed. Lamosa-Porcelanite has also placed orders for the San Josè Iturbide Italgres 2 plant, where a PH 6500, reportedly the largest press currently operating in Mexico, will soon come online. The production line will also be upgraded to manage not only large tiles (600 x 1200) but also those of considerable thickness.

Vitromex, a ceramic company based in Saltillo at the San Josè Potosì facility, will reportedly receive a boost in terms of both output capacity and flexibility due to the installation of two PH 3590 presses, which will allow production of standard sizes (600 x 1200 and 600 x 900) and their every sub-multiple obtained by cutting and polishing.

For additional information, visit www.sacmi.com.