Valmet will supply an Advantage DCT100HS tissue production line, including an extensive automation package, to Papelera San Andrés de Giles in Argentina. The new tissue line will fulfill Papelera San Andrés de Giles' demand of new capacity of high quality tissue products for the Argentinian market. Start-up is planned for the second half of 2018.

The order was included in Valmet's second quarter of 2018 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

"Our first contact with Valmet was at their Tissue Making Conference in Karlstad, Sweden in 2012. Since that moment, we have been convinced that Valmet's technology is what we need to differentiate and keep our position as a frontrunner in the Argentinian tissue market," says Mr. Sebastian Schiaffino, Plant Manager, Papelera San Andrés de Giles.

"Even more important is to work with skilled people within Valmet. This is a long-term partnership for us. Valmet has met, and exceeded, all expectations as an advisor during our cooperation," Mr. Schiaffino continues.

"This newfound relationship means a lot for Valmet. This will be the first running Advantage DCT tissue machine in Argentina," says Kent Nika, Sales Manager at Valmet. "Not only does this mean breaking ground in Argentina, but we are also excited to welcome Papelera San Andrés de Giles to our ever-growing tissue community. And of course, we are very proud that our capability to supply tissue mill equipment with superior technology, e.g. Advantage ViscoNip press, were considered as important success factors in their expansion plans."

Both companies are now looking forward to step in to the future with a shared aim of realizing Papelera San Andres de Gilés' expansion plans and ambitions of providing high quality products to their customers.

Technical information about the delivery

The new tissue machine will have a width of 2.8 meters and a design speed of 2,000 meters/minute. It will add 35,000 tons of tissue paper per year to Papelera San Andrés de Giles' current production of high-quality facial, toilet tissue and kitchen towels.

Valmet's scope of delivery will comprise of a tissue production line featuring stock preparation systems and an Advantage DCT100HS tissue machine. The machine is equipped with OptiFlo headbox and Valmet steel Yankee cylinder as well as the Advantage technology including ViscoNip press, AirCap hood, WetDust dust system and SoftReel reel. The delivery also includes an extensive automation package with Valmet DNA, process controls, tissue line training simulator and Valmet IQ quality controls. Engineering, supervision, training, start-up and commissioning is also included in the delivery.

Information about the customer

Papelera San Andrés de Giles today has an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons of tissue for facial, toilet, kitchen, towel and napkin for the Argentinian market and surrounding region. The highly modern tissue mill, with its converting lines, is situated in the Buenos Aires province and has 150 employees.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has successfully completed the start-up of new production technologies and equipment for the extension of SCA’s Östrand pulp mill in Timrå, Sweden.

ANDRITZ recovery boiler Photo: Andritz

ANDRITZ supplied the following equipment for the SCA Östrand mill:

• a complete debarking plant with two parallel debarking and chipping lines each consisting of a PowerFeed de-icing conveyor, a hydrostatically supported debarking drum for a capacity of 425 m³ sob/h and measuring 5.5 x 39 meters, and a horizontally fed, XL-size HHQ-Chipper operating with a TK-IV knife system. The delivery also includes two new-generation HQ-Press bark presses resulting in excellent bark dry content, as well as modernization of the existing chip handling system;

• the new innovative EvoDry pulp drying system with its energy-saving technologies that substantially reduce the mill’s operating costs, including a boiler exhaust energy recovery system, fine screening, a twin wire dewatering system with a fully automatic tail threading system to meet strictest health, safety, and environmental regulations, a new-generation sheet dryer for lowest downtime and fast start up, as well as a cutter and two baling lines;

• new recausticizing machinery including a LimeGreen green liquor filter enabling efficient green liquor filtration with a minimum of waste going to landfill, two LimeFree centrifuges for dregs, LimeSlake technology, LimeWhite white liquor disc filter to optimize white liquor quality, and LimeDry lime mud disc filter upgrade;

• ANDRITZ LimeFlash technology, enabling a substantial increase in the capacity of the existing lime kiln without the need to invest in a new lime kiln. The delivery also included upgrade of the existing wood dust burning system, which ANDRITZ supplied in 2011 in order to support the new increased lime kiln capacity.

• substantial increase in the recovery boiler capacity from 3,300 to 5,000 tds/d. The existing boiler was supplied by ANDRITZ in 2006 and had already been designed to enable a major extension by moving the boiler side wall and widening the heating surfaces of the superheater, boiler generation bank, and economizers. The boiler extension by moving the side wall allows optimum flue gas flux before and after the rebuild, which has great benefits compared to traditional technology for expanding the recovery boiler by moving its front wall. The total increase of the boiler width was 3.8 meters. In addition to boiler enlargement, one additional ESP°(electrostatic precipitator) chamber and feed water pump were added.

The mill expansion was one of the largest industrial investments in Sweden and the largest ever in northern Sweden. SCA Östrand is doubling its annual production capacity from 430,000 to 900,000°tons, thereby becoming the largest mill in the world for softwood kraft pulp.

At the beginning of the year the new Tissue XcelLine TM 7 successfully started up at the Ejea de los Caballeros mill of Gomà Camps Consumer in Spain. The smooth startup of the tissue line was achieved thru the modern and efficient XcelLine concept.

“From stock on wire, to paper on reel it took only 30 minutes and the TM 7 speed-up is over achieving the planned start up curve. This was a great team performance.” José Ignacio González Sarasúa, Mill Manager of Gomà Camps Consumer S.L.U., confirms. “With passion and technological knowledge all the specialists involved teamed up, resulting in the remarkable success of TM 7 project.”

Voith TM 7 XcelLine Tissue Machine at Gomà-Camps Ejea de los Caballeros, Spain

The TM 7 will have a working width of 2,800 millimeter and produces toilet paper and paper towels from 100 percent virgin pulp at a working speed of 2,000 meters per minute. Voith delivered the entire process line package to Gomà Camps: from BlueLine stock preparation and the double dilution approach flow system, the TM 7 XcelLine tissue machine, auxiliary equipment and system accessories all the way to the full automation, electrification and engineering. In addition, extensive services and replacement parts were included in the delivery, such as the entire clothing package, which is ideally coordinated with the requirements of shoe press technology. The entire new plant will be serviced 100 percent by Voith in an integrated maintenance and service concept.

Voith's XcelLine machines feature seamlessly coordinated and integrated components, technologies and services that enable fast start-up, excellent performance and high added value for its customers' investments. The scope of supply includes technologies that enable increased productivity and a lower use of energy and natural resources, including the MasterJet Pro T headbox, the modern NipcoFlex T shoe press, the EvoDry Y steel plate Yankee cylinder, the high-efficiency EcoHood T drying hood and the EcoChange T reel with automatic reel spool exchange. The NipcoFlex T shoe press contributes to the low energy consumption as well as to high super soft tissue qualities.

“With the integration in the Ejea site, the new TM 7 is a strategic step to strengthen our presence in the Iberian Peninsula and to deliver superior tissue quality with focus on sustainability,” explains Jordi Gomà-Camps, President of Gomà-Camps Group S.L., “From the very first minute of the project Voith was a true and reliable partner. With the latest Voith technologies installed in the process line, we ensure to have a competitive advantage for the best of our customers.”

The Italian company, a well-known producer of graphic and special papers, turned to A.Celli Paper for the supply of a high-tech Pope Winder to be used at its facility in Lugo di Vicenza.

A.Celli designs and develops technological solutions that meet or anticipate the needs of the target market and achieve the objectives set by its customers.

In this case, the Customer Service team of A.Celli Paper will install, in line with a pre-existing plant for the production of special paper, a complete Pope Winder that includes, in addition to nip control and an assisted transmission system for secondary carriages and primary arms, the new A.Celli integrated supervision system which will interface with the current DCS system of the paper mill. The aim is to ensure the best and most consistent production performance over time, as well as complete safety and ease of operation.

During the It’s Tissue event (from the 25th to the 29th of June) the equipment, courtesy of the Burgo Group, was exhibited at the A.Celli Paper factory. Some of its features were demonstrated, arousing the interest of the many people present.

Delivery is underway, in compliance with the contractual agreements and to the customer’s complete satisfaction, while commissioning is scheduled for the end of August.

A.Celli Paper remains at the complete disposal of the Burgo Group, proud to be able to serve and assist a constantly evolving market.

Cascades Packaging entrusted Toscotec with a major rebuild of the dryer section of PM1 at Kingsey Falls mill, Canada. In view of the challenging targets of the project, Cascades decided that Toscotec’s technology was the right match for this rebuild, thanks to the flexibility and high level of customization guaranteed by the Italian supplier with regards to the seamless integration between the existing equipment and the new tailor-made solution.

Toscotec’s rebuild will achieve an 8% production increase. The Italian supplier will accomplish this substantial upgrade without increasing the overall length of the dryer section and without increasing the actual width of the dryers’ frame in cross direction. Toscotec’s TTSteelDryer allows better performances in terms of specific evaporation rate, thanks to its reduced shell thickness. Due to its shorter taper length, TT SteelDryer dries a wider sheet with the same space requirements of a traditional dryer section.

The scope of supply includes a number of TTSteelDryers, specifically designed for an operating steam pressure of 14 barg, as well as doctors, wire tensioning system, guiding and sheet stabilizing components. Toscotec’s service specialists will also provide supervision, commissioning and start-up assistance.

With this new contract, Toscotec strengthens its reputation as a top P&B machinery supplier on technically demanding markets such as North America. In particular, through its proven ability to supply all-round tailor-made solutions based on the specific features of the existing equipment and to deliver significant upgrades, over the years Toscotec gained the trust of major papermaking producers across the globe.

Delivery is forecast within the end of August 2018.

About the Cascades Group

Established in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibers. The Company employs 11,000 employees, who work in more than 90 production units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to deliver the innovative products that customers have come to rely on.

Domtar’s Biomaterials team and research partners have been focusing time and resources on lignin development — specifically, developing lignin-based materials that could eventually serve as sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to petroleum and other fossil fuel–based products.

We recently took another step forward in lignin development and the process of commercializing lignin-based applications by investing in Prisma Renewable Composites, which is developing advanced materials from lignin and other natural resources. With this investment, we will help commercialize the process of using lignin to make engineered plastic compounds, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and other high-value applications.

“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to partner with an industry-leading renewable composite company,” says Mark DeAndrea, Domtar’s vice president of Biomaterials. “This investment leverages Prisma’s scientific research capabilities and unique product development strategy with Domtar’s commercialization and lignin production expertise.”

Lignin Development Gains Momentum

Lignin, the natural glue that holds wood fibers together, is a byproduct of the kraft pulping process. Traditionally, lignin has been burned to provide energy to a pulp and paper mill. However, it also has the potential for use in a wide range of industrial applications as a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to petroleum and other fossil fuels.

Lignin development and the use of lignin as a biomaterial has gained momentum in the past few years, beginning with our installation of a commercial-scale lignin separation plant in Plymouth, North Carolina, in 2013. Today, we use state-of-the-art extruding equipment to deliver commercial-grade lignin in dried, compounded and modified lignin granules/pellets, as well as lignin-polymer blends.

We also recently installed a demonstration plant at a mill in Ontario to showcase lignin pellets as a potential bioalternative to plastic, chemicals and other industrial products. This project has garnered interest from several industries, as well as support from provincial and federal governments, specifically through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program.

We’re learning more in the lab every day, and we hope to expand our research to understand the full potential, capabilities and commercial opportunities for lignin-based graphene and lignin-based carbon fiber.

“Innovation is core to Domtar Biomaterials’ growth strategy,” DeAndrea says. “Domtar Biomaterials is a bridge between science and commercialization, and we’re very excited by the numerous opportunities we see in lignin.”

A.Celli Paper presents a new revolutionary concept for the production of Yankee Dryer Shells.

The two goals were to minimise mechanical issues and maximise uniformity and heat transfer.

Both have been achieved with iDEAL^® forged YD: the new production technology conceived and patented by A.Celli Paper to respond to these very needs.
iDEAL^® forged YD is characterised by a shell made with a single piece of steel moulded and processed using hot forging and rolling systems.

The result is a highly innovative and seamless product that stands out for its exceptional quality of manufacture.

The homogeneous material and structure, free from residual stress, allow for greater variation in operating pressure and enhanced safety by reducing the risk of failure.

The conventional method, which requires welding, poses the risk of defects; therefore, regular maintenance and inspection is required throughout the life span of the vessel, reducing confidence and increasing cost from expensive inspections and loss of production due to periods of inactivity.

Furthermore, iDEAL^® forged YD is innovative in terms of the shape of its internal grooves; the patented shell corner minimises deformation and stress at the edges resulting in a thinner root increasing drying capacity. No less innovative is the head insulation system; comprising of a patented ceramic layer reducing heat loss and steam consumption.

A.Celli Paper iDEAL^® forged YD: the future of Steel Yankee Dryers!

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, is transforming its office paper portfolio, with focus on the needs of the consumer for a clearly structured premium and universal office paper offering. Therefore, instead of differentiating between B and C paper qualities, Mondi is launching a universal office paper that combines the best features of both grades and holds a unique position on the market in terms of whiteness.The new strategy applies to Mondi’s office paper brands IQ and MAESTRO^®, which take two of the top five spots for paper mill brand awareness in Europe according to the latest EMGE cut-size and brand positioning survey.

“With our new approach, we are initiating a significant change in the office paper market,” says Johannes Klumpp, Marketing & Sales Director, Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper. “Through our own market research, we have learned that our consumer care most about the whiteness, the runnability and the appeal of our paper. That was the driving force behind our new office portfolio strategy, which builds on the strengths of our Mondi mills.”

Mondi’s market research across several European countries showed that the difference between universal office papers, traditionally separated into B and C qualities, is becoming smaller and smaller, with the key differentiator being whiteness. Mondi’s new strategy disrupts this outdated classification and instead differentiates between premium papers and a single universal quality. Today’s end-users value premium quality paper for high-end company communication materials, while one universal product is sufficient for everyday office needs. Mondi’s new office portfolio offers customers the best of both worlds.

High-bulk lightweight premium office paper launched

Within premium qualities, Mondi is launching another innovation with the new portfolio: A high-bulk office paper with a weight of 75 g/m². The new product looks and feels like a high quality 80 g/m² paper, offering great opacity and the high whiteness customers expect of a premium paper, combined with the efficiency of a lightweight sheet.

Produced by Mondi mills in Austria and Slovakia, both of the new products in the premium and universal segments are FSC^™ or PEFC™ and EU Ecolabel certified.

Strong distribution partners for Mondi’s mill brands

In the B2B environment, Mondi cooperates with merchants partners throughout Europe and in overseas markets to sell its office portfolio. Mondi’s IQ portfolio is exclusively distributed by Europapier in Central Eastern Europe. “Feedback from our customers across Europe has been very positive towards Mondi’s new office range,” says Wolfgang Riedl, Purchase & Product Manager for office papers at Europapier. “IQ smart convinces with its above-average thickness, its perceptibly bulky feel and its fresh and cool white shade. Its excellent opacity is ideal for duplex printing and it offers superior quality in terms of inkjet printability. IQ economy+, on the other hand, is a very efficient office paper with great runnability and a new and improved high whiteness.”

In Germany, Mondi works closest with IGEPA, the exclusive distributor of MAESTRO^® in that market. “Our customers appreciate the sharp focus of Mondi’s new portfolio,” says Bernd Loschelder, Business Unit Director Office & Packaging of IGEPA Germany. “The new MAESTRO^® beat creates an 80 g/m² premium experience at 75 g/m² and thus offers more value per sheet, making it a very unique solution on the market. MAESTRO^® standard+, on the other hand, is a multi-purpose paper for everyday office needs. It offers high whiteness, and it is smoother than the previous qualities.”

Mondi’s unique TRIOTEC^® sandwich technology

The Group’s new strategy makes use of its assets in its paper mills, including the patented TRIOTEC^® technology in Mondi Neusiedler. As its name indicates, TRIOTEC^® technology combines three layers that are sandwiched together into one product. While the outer layer of all TRIOTEC® papers contain sustainably produced and certified virgin fibers, the middle layer can consist of various raw materials, such as recycled fibre or BCTMP (Bleached Chemi-Thermomechanical Pulp). The benefits include excellent bulk, high opacity and increased paper stiffness, enabling perfect runnability for high-volume print jobs and minimizing machine downtime, as well as reduced machine wear thanks to low dusting.

“With the customer always in focus and together with our strong merchant partners, we are convinced that the time is right to transform how we position and sell our office papers and make this change happen on the market,” concludes Johannes Klumpp.

Stora Enso has decided to install a new steam turbine with a closed-loop cooling system and additional biomass storage at its mill in Maxau, Germany. The investment cost is approximately EUR 25 million and implementation of the project is scheduled to start during the third quarter of 2018 with completion in 2020.

Stora Enso wants to secure the long-term profitable energy production in Maxau Mill by increased electricity generation and higher efficiency. The new 57 MW extraction-condensing turbine complements the existing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant which started up in 2010. The investment will reduce the energy cost and secure long term cost competitiveness of the paper mill. Once installed, the payback time will be around four years.

The investment contributes to Stora Enso’s carbon neutral roadmap and science-based targets through higher share of biomass and higher efficiency ( >50 000t CO2 savings per year). The closed loop cooling system will relieve the Rhine River significantly by less thermal output and considerably lower river water extraction.

“We are happy to announce this important investment which underpins our long-term commitment to serve our customers with high-quality paper products from cost-efficient and sustainable operations. It also highlights our ambition to replace fossil-based materials and to contribute to a greener economy,” says Kati ter Horst, EVP Head of Paper Division.

Maxau Mill
Located on the Rhine River near Karlsruhe in southwest Germany, Maxau Mill is the key pillar in the Uncoated Magazine Paper (SC) product segment. The mill is strategically and geographically well located to serve its customers, including major European publishers, retailers and printing houses. It has a short distance access to all raw materials and biofuels. The two paper machines produce approx. 530 000 tonnes of uncoated magazine papers per year. Paper for Recycling (PfR) serves as the main raw material for the paper production.

The Pulp and Paper Industry just gained an advocate for teamwork, naming Jacques Beauchemin as President and CEO of AFT. In his previous position as CFO, Jacques was instrumental in helping to acquire two of AFT’s largest innovations with Finebar and POM. He has built a reputation for fostering teamwork within the organization, travelling regularly to AFT’s five manufacturing sites and promoting global collaboration.

Jacques BeaucheminSays Jacques: “My focus is to strengthen our teams, built around core capabilities. Each person in our company has the support to grow and continuously improve; together we have a strong work force. We are doing more to understand our customer’s needs and bring opportunities for personal growth to our employees. We want big picture thinkers who understand customer processes, good collaborators, and individuals who can multi-task. That’s the essence of a great team.

One recent example for key change has been to unify our global project management and service teams. This change presents a single face to our customers and strengthens our internal collaboration. It is at times a challenge to stay locally focused while being globally collaborative within the organization; my past leadership with our global information technology team will help. Our support needs to be at the same high level for customers located around the world."

Follow this link for more of Jacques interview as he steps in to lead AFT: http://ow.ly/JEa030kVnr1