SSM 18 Block Making Machine for CSCEC – Powering Pakistan’s CPEC Motorway (2017–2019)

Introduction – The CPEC Motorway Challenge

The China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the largest infrastructure project in Pakistan’s history. A cornerstone of CPEC is the Peshawar–Karachi Motorway (PKM), a 1,152‑km long north‑south artery. One of its most demanding sections is the Multan–Sukkur motorway (M‑5) – 392 km of six‑lane, high‑speed road built by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) on an EPC (Engineering‑Procurement‑Construction) basis.

To construct such a mega‑project, CSCEC needed colossal quantities of concrete blocks, pavers (tuff tiles), and curbstones. Initially, the company sourced these from multiple Pakistani suppliers. However, quality was inconsistent, volumes were insufficient, and delivery delays threatened the tight construction schedule.

In 2017, CSCEC turned to Silver Steel Mills. Over the next two years, we supplied and installed multiple SSM‑18 fully automatic block making plants at strategic locations along the motorway. This article tells the real story of that partnership – from the first plant at Kotri to the last one at Jalalpur Pirwala – and how locally built machinery outperformed even Chinese equipment on a Chinese‑led mega‑project.

The CSCEC Pakistan Connection

CSCEC was formally established in 1982 and is the world’s largest construction and investment group. In Pakistan, CSCEC had already successfully completed five thermal power plant projects, including Kotri, Jamshoro, Muzaffargarh, Faisalabad and Lakhala. By 2016, the company was awarded the EPC contract for the M‑5 motorway, a USD 2.9 billion project that was the first six‑lane, intelligent bi‑directional motorway in the country.

The motorway runs from Multan to Sukkur, passing through major towns such as Rohri, Ghotki, Jalalpur Pirwala, Rahim Yar Khan, and Khanpur. By August 2016, construction was under way, with a planned completion in 2019. But the pace of construction depended on one thing above all: a reliable, high‑volume supply of concrete blocks, pavers and curbstones.

Why CSCEC Moved from Local Sourcing to In‑House Production

CSCEC initially tried to buy blocks and pavers from different suppliers across Punjab and Sindh. The problems were numerous:

Inconsistent quality – blocks from one supplier differed in strength, size and curing.
Volume shortages – no single supplier could meet the daily demand of the project.
Logistical delays – transporting blocks from distant plants created supply gaps.
Price volatility – each supplier quoted different rates and frequently raised prices.

After evaluating the situation, CSCEC took a strategic decision: set up captive block‑and‑paver plants right on the motorway route. The requirements were strict – the plants had to be reliable, produce multiple products (tuff tiles, solid blocks, curbstones), and be capable of running two shifts daily.

Silver Steel Mills Steps In – The First Plant at Kotri (2017)

In 2017, CSCEC contacted Silver Steel Mills. After detailed discussions and site visits, we installed the first SSM‑18 plant at Kotri Industrial Estate, near Hyderabad. Kotri was chosen because of its proximity to the southern end of the motorway and its existing industrial infrastructure.

The Kotri plant was the pilot project. It demonstrated that our SSM‑18 machinery could consistently produce the required quality and volume. After successful trials, CSCEC signed orders for three more SSM‑18 plants:

Ghotki section – one SSM‑18 plant
Ghotki section (expansion) – a second SSM‑18 plant
Jalalpur Pirwala section – two SSM‑18 plants

In total, five SSM‑18 fully automatic block making plants were deployed along the Sukkur–Multan motorway between 2017 and 2019.

SSM‑18 Machine – Daily Production Capacity (Real Numbers)

The SSM‑18 is a semi‑automatic to fully automatic block making machine designed for medium‑to‑large scale projects. On the CSCEC motorway sites, each plant consistently achieved the following daily output (operating two 8‑hour shifts):

Product	Daily Production	Notes
Tuff tiles / pavers (50‑60 mm)	18,000 tiles	Enough to pave approx. 200 m² of road shoulder
Solid blocks (6″×8″×12″)	8,000 solid blocks	Used for substructures and retaining walls
Curbstones (road edging)	2,000 curbstone units	For drainage channels and median boundaries

In peak construction months, the plants operated extra shifts and achieved even higher outputs.

The SSM‑18’s ability to produce three different product types from the same machine (by simply changing moulds) gave CSCEC the flexibility to respond to rapidly changing site needs.

How Silver Steel Mills’ Machinery Outperformed Chinese Equipment

A surprising outcome of the CPEC collaboration was that the locally manufactured SSM‑18 plants often outperformed comparable Chinese machinery used on other parts of the motorway.

Key advantages of Silver Steel Mills’ technology:

Feature	Benefit
Heavy‑duty dual vibration	Higher density blocks, fewer cracks
Hydraulic overload protection	Prevents damage from hard aggregates
Quick mould change system	Swapping between tile, block and curbstone moulds takes under 20 minutes
Low power consumption	40‑45 kWh per hour – ideal for remote sites with limited generators
Rugged steel frame	Withstands 16‑hour continuous operation in extreme summer heat (45‑50 °C)

CSCEC’s site engineers noted that Silver Steel Mills’ plants required less downtime for repairs and produced more consistent product quality than some imported machines. This was a proud moment for Pakistani engineering – a local manufacturer supporting a Chinese contractor on a CPEC flagship project.

Section‑by‑Section Installation

Kotri Industrial Estate (First Plant – 2017)

Location: Kotri, near Hyderabad.
Purpose: Supply blocks and pavers for the southern portion of the M‑5.
Outcome: CSCEC fully validated the SSM‑18 technology and ordered four more plants.

Ghotki Section (Two Plants – 2018)

Location: Ghotki district, northern Sindh.
Purpose: Production of solid blocks for bridge abutments and culverts.
Outcome: Daily output of 16,000 solid blocks from two plants met all concrete structure requirements.

Jalalpur Pirwala Section (Two Plants – 2018‑2019)

Location: Jalalpur Pirwala, near Multan.
Purpose: Tuff tiles for rest areas, service areas and toll plazas.
Outcome: Produced over 1 million tuff tiles used in the 22 toll stations and 6 pairs of service areas along the motorway.

Impact on the Motorway Completion Schedule

The M‑5 motorway was completed in 2019, two months ahead of schedule. While many factors contributed to this early completion, the reliable on‑site production of blocks, pavers and curbstones was a critical enabler.

No supply gaps – CSCEC never had to halt work because of shortage of blocks or pavers.
Consistent quality – Every batch met CPEC’s strict quality standards.
Cost savings – In‑house production cut out middlemen and transport costs.

“Our SSM‑18 plants became the workhorses of the motorway construction. The local machinery proved to be reliable even in the most extreme conditions.” – CSCEC Site Engineer (2019)

SSM‑18 Specifications (For Motorway Projects)

Parameter	Specification
Machine cycle time	25‑35 seconds
Hydraulic pressure	200 tons
Vibration motors	Two units (10 HP each)
Total connected load	45‑50 kW
Pallet size	650 × 750 × 28 mm (wooden)
Mould change time	< 20 minutes
Products	Tuff tiles, solid blocks, hollow blocks, curbstones
Control	Semi‑automatic (digital panel) with manual override

Long‑Term Impact – From CPEC to National Recognition

The successful CSCEC collaboration became a turning point for Silver Steel Mills. In 2018, the company signed key agreements with CPEC project stakeholders and became a recognised partner of CSCEC, delivering precision steel solutions. In 2020, we partnered with the Pakistan Army on multiple infrastructure projects.

Today, Silver Steel Mills is an exporting company, with block‑making machines delivered to Oman, Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries. The CPEC motorway project remains the most prestigious reference in our portfolio.

Summary – Why SSM‑18 Was the Right Choice for CPEC

Requirement	How SSM‑18 Delivered
High daily output	18,000 tiles + 8,000 solid blocks + 2,000 curbstones
Multi‑product flexibility	Changed moulds in under 20 minutes
Reliability in extreme heat	Rugged steel frame and hydraulic overload protection
Low power consumption	45‑50 kW – ideal for generator sites
Local after‑sales support	Silver Steel Mills technicians on call

Conclusion – A Proud Chapter in Pakistan’s Industrial History

The CPEC motorway project demonstrated that Pakistani‑manufactured block making machinery can compete with – and even outperform – Chinese equipment on a project led by China’s largest construction company. The five SSM‑18 plants installed between Kotri, Ghotki and Jalalpur Pirwala produced millions of blocks and pavers, helping complete the M‑5 motorway months ahead of schedule.

Today, those same SSM‑18 plants remain operational, serving as a lasting testament to local engineering excellence. For Silver Steel Mills, the CSCEC collaboration opened doors to defence projects, national infrastructure schemes and export markets.

Are you involved in a large‑scale housing, road or industrial project? Contact Silver Steel Mills for a free site survey and customised quotation for SSM series block making plants (SSM‑15, 18, 24, 28, 35, 50). We offer complete turnkey solutions – design, manufacture, installation, training and after‑sales support.

Initial Challenge: Material Shortage on CPEC Motorway Projects

During early phases of motorway construction, different contractors attempted to source:

Interlocking paver tiles
Cement blocks (solid & hollow)
Curbstones for road edging
High-strength concrete units for heavy traffic load

Initially, multiple local suppliers were engaged. However, a major issue appeared:

Demand vs Supply Gap

Production capacity of local suppliers was limited
Quality inconsistency in blocks and tiles
Delays in delivery schedules
Unable to match motorway-scale demand continuously

For a project like CPEC motorway sections, even a small delay in material supply could affect thousands of workers and heavy machinery operations.

This created a critical need:

A high-capacity, reliable, and on-site production solution.

Entry of Silver Steel Mills in the Project

To overcome production limitations, CSCEC engineering teams explored the idea of setting up dedicated production plants near project sites instead of relying on external suppliers.

At this stage, they contacted Silver Steel Mills, a Pakistani engineering company specializing in:

Block making machines
Paver tile plants
Curbstone production machines
Fully automated concrete batching solutions

The idea was simple but powerful:

Instead of buying finished materials, produce everything on-site with dedicated machinery.

First Installation: Kotri Industrial Estate (Hyderabad Region)

The first experimental setup was installed at:

Kotri Industrial Estate – Hyderabad

This plant was established as a trial production unit to test:

Production efficiency
Quality consistency
Output capacity under motorway workload
Machine durability under continuous operation

After installation, the plant successfully passed performance testing and demonstrated:

Stable high-speed production
Uniform product quality
Reduced dependency on external suppliers
Significant cost and time savings

This trial became the foundation of further expansion.

Expansion for Sukkur Motorway Section

After successful results from Kotri, the system was adopted for larger motorway sections, especially:

Sukkur Motorway Segment

For this section, CSCEC placed orders for multiple SSM-18 block making plants from Silver Steel Mills.

These machines were selected due to:

High production capacity
Strong hydraulic system
Continuous 24/7 operation capability
Easy maintenance design
Rapid mold change system

Further Expansion: Ghotki Section

As motorway construction expanded, demand increased further.

For the Ghotki section, CSCEC installed:

2 additional SSM-18 plants

This ensured uninterrupted supply of:

Paver tiles for road surfaces
Solid blocks for structural works
Curbstones for road boundaries and drainage systems

The on-site production model significantly improved project speed and efficiency.

Jalalpur Pirwala Project Deployment

Later, in the Jalalpur Pirwala motorway-related construction zone, another major expansion occurred:

2 more SSM-18 plants installed

By this stage, Silver Steel Mills machinery had become a standard production system for multiple motorway segments.

SSM-18 Machine Performance & Capacity

The success of these projects is largely attributed to the performance of the SSM-18 model, which is designed for industrial-scale production.

Daily Production Capacity

Paver Tiles: ~18,000 units/day
Solid Blocks: ~8,000 units/day
Curbstones: ~2,000 units/day

This combination makes it ideal for highway and motorway projects where continuous supply is critical.

Why SSM-18 Became a Game Changer

The SSM-18 plant gained popularity due to several key advantages:

1. High Output Efficiency

One machine could replace multiple small suppliers, ensuring centralized production.

2. Consistent Quality

Every product is produced under controlled hydraulic pressure and vibration systems.

3. On-Site Production Advantage

No need for transportation delays or external procurement.

4. Reduced Project Cost

Eliminates middlemen and reduces logistics expenses.

5. Fast Installation & Operation

Plants can be deployed quickly near project sites.

Comparison with Imported Chinese Plants

Initially, some projects were dependent on imported machinery from international suppliers, including Chinese manufacturers.

However, operational experience showed:

Higher maintenance delays in imported systems
Difficulty in spare parts availability
Less adaptability to local raw materials

In contrast, Silver Steel Mills machines:

Were designed according to Pakistani material conditions
Offered easier servicing support
Delivered stable long-term production

This is why many project engineers preferred local industrial solutions over imported alternatives.

Impact on Pakistan’s Construction Industry

The successful deployment of Silver Steel Mills machinery in CPEC motorway projects created a major shift in the industry:

1. Local Manufacturing Confidence Increased

Pakistani machinery started competing with international suppliers.

2. Fast Project Execution

On-site production reduced delays significantly.

3. Industrial Independence

Reduced dependency on imported block production systems.

4. Standardization of Quality

SSM-18 became a benchmark for highway construction materials.

Silver Steel Mills as a National Industrial Identity

Over time, Silver Steel Mills machines became recognized as:

Reliable for mega infrastructure projects
Suitable for motorway-grade production
A long-term industrial solution for Pakistan

The repeated adoption of SSM-18 plants across different motorway sections proved its capability in real-world, high-pressure environments.

CPEC Mega Infrastructure Project: Chinese Giant CSCEC Ne Motorway Ke Liye Silver Steel Mills (SSM) Ke Multiple SSM 18 Plants Kyun Chune?

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Pakistan ki tareekh ka sab se bada aur ahem tareen infrastructure project hai. Jab is mega network ke tehat Sukkur-Multan Motorway (M-5) aur digar ahem sections par kaam shuru hua, toh aala miyaar ke concrete blocks, interlocking tuff tiles, aur road safety curbstones ki aisi massive demand paida hui jo Pakistan ki local market ke paas maujood nahi thi.

CPEC ke is ahem tareen project par kaam karne wali dunya ki sab se badi construction company CSCEC (China State Construction Engineering Corporation) ne shuruat mein bohot si local companies se blocks aur pavers khareede. Magar motorway ke sakht international standards aur tezi se barhti hui daily demand ke mutabiq supply na milne ki waja se project delay hone ka khatra paida ho gaya.

Is critical supply chain challenge ko hal karne ke liye, Chinese engineering giant CSCEC ne Pakistan ke leading industrial machinery manufacturer Silver Steel Mills (SSM) se rabta kiya. Unhone faisla kiya ke market se material khareedne ke bajaye, wo motorway ke sath-sath apne khud ke high-capacity automatic production plants lagayein ge.

Pehla Qadam: Kotri Industrial Estate, Hyderabad Mein Kamyab Trial

CSCEC ne Silver Steel Mills ki technology aur structural integrity ko test karne ke liye Hyderabad ke Kotri Industrial Estate mein apna pehla plant install kiya.

The Trial Stage: Is pehle setup par local material aur sand-aggregate ratios ke sath automatic cycles test kiye gaye.
The Result: Silver Steel Mills ke heavy hydraulic compaction aur high-frequency vibration system ne pehle hi trial mein aisi top-notch compressive strength deliver ki jo Chinese state-owned engineers ke benchmarks par poori utri. Is behtareen performance ke baad CSCEC ne baqaida taur par SSM ko apna official machinery partner bana liya.

Sukkur, Ghotki Aur Jalalpur Pirwala Sections Mein Plants Ki Line-Up

Hyderabad trial se mutasir hokar Chinese company CSCEC ne motorway ki different chainages (sections) par kaam ko tezi se mukammal karne ke liye aik ke baad aik, multiple SSM 18 Automatic Plants buy kiye:

Sukkur Motorway Section: Sab se pehle Sukkur motorway section ki heavy requirement ko poora karne ke liye SSM 18 Plant order aur install kiya gaya.
Ghotki Section: Kaam ki raftaar ko double karne aur logistic cost kam karne ke liye CSCEC ne Ghotki section ke liye aik sath Do (2) Mazeed SSM 18 Plants khareede aur install kiye.
Jalalpur Pirwala Section: Motorway ke aglay ahem phase ko cover karne ke liye CSCEC ne mazeed Do (2) SSM 18 Plants Jalalpur Pirwala ki site par active kiye.

Pakistan Ki Pehchan: Chinese Plants Se Behtar Production Aur Reliability

CPEC projects par aam taur par China se mangvayi gayi machinery istemal ki jati hai, magar Silver Steel Mills ne is riwayat ko badal kar rakh diya. Hamari Pakistani engineering aur locally manufactured heavy-duty block making machines ne Chinese imported plants se kahin zyada behtar aur consistent production deliver ki.

Heavy-Duty Structural Framework: Local power fluctuations aur tough environmental weather conditions ko jhelne ke liye hamari machines ka structural steel aur hydraulic cooling system zyada stable raha.
Zero Breakdowns: Chinese engineers ne mana ke SSM 18 ki maintenance asaan thi aur iska mechanical design continuous shifts par bina ruke chalta raha, jis se daily targets time par poore huwe.

Production Capacity Matrix: SSM 18 Plant Outputs

SSM 18 aik fully automatic high-output plant hai jo heavy concrete structures aur customized geometric designs ko second ke hisab se mold karta hai. CPEC sites par is plant ne darj-zeel daily production deliver ki:

Interlocking Tuff Tiles / Pavers: Rozana 18,000 Premium Tuff Tiles (Motorway interchanges, toll plazas, aur footpaths ke liye).
Solid Concrete Blocks: Rozana 8,000 Heavy-Duty Solid Blocks (Boundary walls aur structural buildings ke liye).
Road Curbstones: Rozana 2,000 High-Compaction Curbstones (Motorway lane segregation aur road boundaries ke liye).

Data-Driven Technical Parameters (SSM 18 Model)

Google search algorithms real industrial achievements aur factual data ko high authority dekar top rank karte hain. Neeche CPEC sites par chalne wale SSM 18 plant ka core technical profile hai:

Operational Feature	Technical Specification (Silver Steel Mills)
Plant Model Fitted	SSM 18 Fully Automatic Plant
Primary Client Partner	CSCEC (China State Construction Engineering Corporation)
Project Coverage	CPEC Sukkur-Multan Motorway (M-5) Project
Total Plants Deployed	Multiple Units (Hyderabad, Sukkur, Ghotki, Jalalpur Pirwala)
Operation System	Auto Pallet & Heavy Hydraulic Pressure System
Daily Output Profile	18,000 Tiles
Mould Flexibility	Multi-mould Interchangeable (Uniblock, Cobble, Curbstones, Hollow Blocks)

Turnkey Installation Aur International Trust By SSM

Silver Steel Mills ki expert engineering aur erection team ne CPEC ke har section par khud maujood reh kar in tamaam plants ki on-site mechanical assembly, electrical panel wiring, aur heavy mixer synchronization ko mukammal kiya. Hamari team ne Chinese company ke local operators aur staff ko digital weighing operations aur preventive maintenance ki professional training di, taake project ke strict deadlines mein aik din ka bhi delay na aaye.

CSCEC jaisi dunya ki top construction company ka baar baar Silver Steel Mills par bhrosa karna is baat ka wazeh saboot hai ke hamari machinery dunya ke kisi bhi international brand ka muqabla ba-aasaani kar sakti hai.

Kya Aap Apne Mega Infrastructure Project Ke Liye Reliable Plant Lagana Chahte Hain?

Agar aap Pakistan mein kisi highway, motorway, housing society, ya commercial pre-cast production unit ke liye heavy-duty automatic block making machinery lagana chahte hain, toh us brand par bharosa karein jis par international giants ne kiya.

Customized BOQ Aur Free Engineering Assessment Ke Liye Aaj Hi Rabta Karein:

Silver Steel Mills (SSM)

SSM 18 Block Making Machine for CSCEC Motorway PROJECT Multan