Valmet will supply a sizing section rebuild to Productora Nacional de Papel in Mexico. In the project, the board machine 1 (BM 1) will be upgraded to improve strength properties and add new coated white-top testliner grades (WTL) to the machine’s product portfolio. The start-up of the rebuilt machine is scheduled to take place by the end of 2023.

The order is included in Valmet's orders received of the first quarter 2022. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The total value of an order of this type and delivery scope is typically around EUR 15–20 million.

“We want to increase the number of board products in our product portfolio and improve the strength properties of all our products. We consider Valmet to be a very reliable and trusted partner. Our previous projects with Valmet have been successful,” says Francisco Torres Vázquez, CEO of Productora Nacional de Papel and Cartones Ponderosa, a sister company of Productora Nacional.

“Valmet has had the pleasure to work with Productora Nacional and its sister companies in many successful projects. Our good references, technical know-how on the sizing process, and the low energy consumption of our air dryers were seen as clear differentiating factors,” says Hector Rios, Director at Valmet, Mexico.

Technical information about the delivery

Valmet’s delivery for BM 1 will include a new OptiRun Hybrid afterdryer section to increase the machine’s drying capacity. OptiSizer Film with supply systems will be installed to improve board strength. The sizer will be followed by a TurnFloat web turning unit, an OptiDry Coat air dryer and an OptiAir heat recovery system for the air dryers. The delivery will also include spare parts and consumables.

The board machine with a 6,700-mm-wide fabric will produce testliner, corrugated medium and coated WTL grades within a basis weight range of 90–250 g/m². The design speed of the new parts will be 700 m/min with a daily design capacity of approximately 700 tons.

About the customer Productora Nacional de Papel

Productora Nacional de Papel is located in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and is part of the Mexican Editorial Organization (OEM). Productora Nacional de Papel has a total of 370 employees across its facilities.

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. 

We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Our 17,000 professionals work close to our customers and are committed to improving our customers’ performance – every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved, when flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. The combined company net sales in 2021 was approximately EUR 4.5 billion based on the respective company figures. 

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.     

Follow us on valmet.com

How to handle the risk factor linked to the unstable cost of traditional raw materials by using alternative fibers capable of guaranteeing the same results in terms of quality.

At the dawn of paper production and before the invention of the mechanical and chemical pulping processes in the 19th century, paper was produced using fibers from numerous materials, such as mulberry tree bark, rags, cotton, hemp and linen. Nowadays, with the exclusion of secondary fibers, the paper production process involves the use of a mix of two main types of fibers:

• Softwood, or long fiber
• Hardwood, or short fiber

Long fibers obtained from slow-growing conifers such as pine, are used to impart strength to paper, while the short fibers obtained from broad-leaved trees such as birches, acacias or eucalyptus are responsible for the bulk and softness.
As regards the current pulp market, it is dominated by few producers and the price of raw materials is very unstable. This is a significant risk factor for the profitability of paper mills which, combined with the growing attention towards the sustainability of production processes and resources used, leads producers to consider alternative raw materials...(Click the banner below to download the full case study!)

Toscotec will rebuild the forming and press sections of PM1 at Cartonificio Sandreschi’s paper mill in Villa Basilica, Italy. Cartonificio Sandreschi had previously installed on PM1 several custom-made TT SteelDryers of 2,000 mm diameter to replace its existing cast iron cans. With this new order, the Italian cardboard manufacturer taps Toscotec for a complete rebuild, scheduled for the third quarter of 2022.

The project consists of a modification of the wet end with the inclusion of mould cylinder at the end of the Fourdrinier section, and the rebuild of the press section with the replacement of the existing frame of the first two presses with a new stainless steel frame, the felt runs re-design and the addition of a new suction press roll to increase the post-press dryness rate. The scope also includes the renovation of the auxiliary systems, as well as dismantling and erection operations, commissioning, and start-up assistance. The rebuild is aimed to increase machine efficiency by achieving an important upgrade of PM1 with the replacement of obsolete parts with a robust stainless steel frame.

Benedetto Sandreschi, Owner of Cartonificio Sandreschi, says: “We trust in Toscotec’s expertise to successfully deliver this project. Even in difficult times, we carry on investing in technology to strengthen our position and continue offering high quality cardboard to our customer base.”

Enrico Fazio, Sales Director of Toscotec’s Paper & Board division, says: “It is a pleasure to collaborate with a cardboard manufacturer well rooted in the territory of Tuscany such as Cartonificio Sandreschi. In the past, Toscotec had installed its steel cylinders on this paper machine. We are now eager to start this partnership with them on a complete rebuild for the first time.”

About Cartonificio Sandreschi
Founded in 1863, Cartonificio Sandreschi specializes in the production of high quality cardboard from recycled paper for the tissue and textile industries. Its product range includes cores, line and spiral tubes and packaging edge protectors.

For more information, please contact:
Enrico Fazio, Sales Director, Paper & Board division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

emtec Electronic GmbH will present a wide product range of specialized measuring and testing instruments for the pulp, paper, and board industries at the Paper & Biorefinery Conference from May 18-19, 2022 in Graz, Austria.

After a  two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the  Paper & Biorefinery Conference will once again take place in Graz, this time under the central theme of “Paper for Future: Mitigating climate change.” Industry professionals in the pulp, paper, and biorefinery sectors are invited to attend the trade show and conference dinner to discuss ideas and solutions for more sustainable industry practices.

Leipzig-based device manufacturer emtec Electronic GmbH will be on site this year to present their complete product range. The more than 25-year-old company specializes in the manufacture of measuring and testing equipment for pulp, paper, board, as well as textiles and serves customers in more than 80 countries around the world.

A special focus is on products that help paper professionals optimize production processes and reduce resource waste, such as the FPA touch! Fiber Potential Analyzer and the CAS touch! Charge Analyzing System. By accurately determining the zeta potential and particle charge of a stock suspension, both devices help technicians avoid the use of unnecessary additives, conserve resources and reduce chemical waste in the wet-end of the paper production.

“In the paper manufacturing industry, knowing precisely how much chemical addition is needed can lead to enormous gains in cost savings and reduce waste, which benefits not only the bottom line, but the environment as well,” says Alexander Grüner, Global Marketing and Business Development Manager at emtec.

Those interested in attending the Conference can find more information about registration and program schedule by visiting the website here.

About emtec Electronic

Emtec Electronic GmbH develops, produces and distributes worldwide testing and measuring devices for the detection of relevant processing properties of paper, board, nonwoven and textile materials. The portable measuring devices enable manufacturers and converters of paper, nonwoven and textile products for example, to control and optimize the manufacturing and converting processes during ongoing production. From the wet end to the final product, the application of the devices enables an efficient process to achieve and ensure the best possible quality with the least possible effort.

For more than 25 years, we have relied on innovative, highly specialized measuring instruments combined with a high degree of service orientation. Since the company was founded, we have been intensively involved in scientific cooperation with institutes and companies, further developing instruments for our customers and offering a broad network in over 80 countries from our Leipzig location.

For more information about emtec Electronic, please visit the website:

www.emtec-electronic.de

James Cropper, one of the world’s most innovative papermakers, has announced that Isabelle Maddock, who sits on the company board, has been appointed as a Standing Committee Chair for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The CBI speaks on behalf of every sector in the economy and works with government to help businesses embrace and lead change, providing a voice for firms at a regional, national and international level to policymakers. 

Isabelle MaddockIsabelle will chair the influential CBI Economic Growth Board (EGB), one of the CBI’s main member forums that works to drive its economic focus, intelligence and systemic change for the long-term benefit of UK business and society.

One of the focuses for the CBI is to drive collaboration between government and business to achieving a Net-Zero economy – a movement that is of particular relevance for the paper and packaging sector as manufacturers look to use resources more efficiently and keep waste to a minimum.

Speaking about her appointment, Isabelle says: “The drive towards a circular economy presents an opportunity for industry to lead the charge in sustainability. By 2030, the UK will see an acceleration in economic growth, with prosperity spread across every region. We will champion green growth, creating new technologies and jobs that accelerate the race to net-zero. Achieving this ambition requires all UK businesses to play a part.

“It is a privilege to be appointed as Chair of the Economic Growth Board and be in a position to shape the future of business. My experience in UK manufacturing will help me create beneficial change and prosperity for industry and society.”

Isabelle joined James Cropper in 2006 as Group Financial Controller and has served as Chief Financial Officer since August 2014.

Phil Wild, James Cropper CEO, says: “We are incredibly proud that Isabelle has been elected chair of the Economic Growth Board. Her contribution to James Cropper as a member of the leadership team has been instrumental in helping us to drive circular innovation.

“We look forward to supporting her role at the CBI as she helps the organisation to shape and embrace change.”

Isabelle will be speaking at the CBI’s ‘Achieving Net Zero’ conference series taking place in June 2022 at the Science Museum in London. Isabelle will take part in a session entitled ‘Too hard to decarb? Net zero for heavy industry’, on the 7th June at 12:30pm. For more information visit https://www.cbi.org.uk/events/conference-series-achieving-net-zero-2022/.

About James Cropper   

James Cropper is a prestige paper innovator based in the English Lake District, supplying distinct, custom-made paper products to many of the world’s leading luxury brands, art galleries and designers.    

Throughout 176 years of high-quality paper production, the business has been carefully stewarded and nurtured by six generations of the Cropper family and is renowned globally for individual expertise in colour and fibre innovation.       

https://www.jamescropper.com/tailor-made 

About James Cropper COLOURFORM™    

Blending technological solutions and innovative design with a growing eco-conscious consumer mind-set, COLOURFORM is a thermoformed, moulded fibre packaging solution, offering a full service direct to brands. 

COLOURFORM is no stranger to innovation. The moulded-fibre packaging company has been born from a group with tremendous heritage, who continually looks to the future with its innovation and progressive thinking. Coupled with the creative capability to go head-to-head in the design stakes with undesirable plastics, COLOURFORM is meeting the needs of complex and high-end design, while blazing a trail for sustainable luxury packaging in the future.  

https://www.jamescropper.com/Colourform   

Zume, the sustainability solutions company creating economically viable substitutes for single-use plastics, have just announced it is furthering its partnership with Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals. Together, the companies are launching a comprehensive line of PFAS-free packaging to replace plastic and styrofoam with a sustainable alternative for food service applications.

• The companies are introducing a comprehensive line of 100% PFAS-free molded fiber packaging, including hot cup lids, bowls, egg cartons, protein trays and more  
• 40% of manufactured plastics is for packaging; most of it is discarded within minutes of opening and about 8M tons of plastic waste ends up in oceans from coastal nations
• Zume and Solenis aim to help global food brands replace plastic and styrofoam packaging with a sustainable and cost-effective solution

Popular for their grease- and water-resistant properties, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used chemicals commonly found in food packaging. While molded fiber packaging can be composted, PFAS do not degrade naturally and can leach from containers and move through soils, contaminating drinking water sources and significantly damaging the sustainability and circularity profile of molded fibers.

The joint partnership furthers efforts from Zume and Solenis to expand PFAS-free molded fiber solutions to replace entire categories of single-use plastic without harmful chemicals. Zume will provide its advanced molded fiber manufacturing capabilities and professional services, and Solenis will supply its unparalleled expertise in functional additives and surface coatings which increase the strength and functionality of Zume’s fiber recipes. 

“Development of an economically viable solution for brands to transition from plastic and foam packaging is the goal of the collaboration,” said Zume CEO and Chairman Alex Garden. “Our patented molded fiber manufacturing equipment system and technology enable us to offer sustainable packaging at the same price or less than plastic. This partnership with Solenis advances efforts to eliminate single-use plastic and enables brands to keep commitments to stop using PFAS.”

“Our partnership with Zume showcases the deep expertise of both of our companies in packaging production and design,” said Solenis CEO John Panichella. “Bringing together our technical talents, we can create truly sustainable food packaging without sacrificing the quality and performance of packaging containing PFAS.”

The companies have outlined a technology roadmap of solutions they will collaborate on, including hot cup lids, bowls, plates, premium egg cartons, coffee cup lids, protein trays, and yogurt cups. Zume and Solenis aim to help global food brands replace their plastic and foam packaging with a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.

Today’s announcement builds on other breakthrough work from Zume and Solenis, which brought the packaging community together to accelerate the removal of PFAS with the world’s first open-source guide to PFAS-free packaging for global food manufacturers and CPG brands. 

To learn more about how Zume and Solenis are helping brands replace plastic and styrofoam packaging with a sustainable PFAS-free solution, visit: zume.com/zume-x-solenis.   

About Zume
Founded in 2015 and HQ in Camarillo, California, Zume is actively reducing the world’s plastic waste with economically viable substitutes for plastic packaging. As creators of the world’s most advanced molded-fiber manufacturing system, Zume is a global provider of sustainability solutions and offers a growing range of sustainable manufactured solutions and services across the food, beverage, healthcare, and CPG categories. For more information visit www.zume.com.

About Solenis
Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, packaging paper and board, tissue and towel, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power, municipal, and pool and spa markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids and functional additives, as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact and maintain healthy water. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 47 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 6,000 professionals in 120 countries across five continents. Solenis is a 2021 US Best Managed Company.

WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK) has just announced it will permanently cease operations at its mill in Panama City, Florida, by June 6, 2022.

The mill produces containerboard, primarily heavyweight kraft, and fluff pulp, with a combined annual capacity of 645,000 tons. Select grades of containerboard currently produced at the mill will be manufactured at other WestRock facilities.

“A decision to close a facility and impact the lives of our employees is never easy to make,” said David B. Sewell, chief executive officer at WestRock. “As we implement our plans to close the Panama City mill, we do so with great appreciation for the many contributions of the team there. We are committed to assisting our Panama City team with exploring roles at other WestRock locations and outplacement assistance.”

WestRock is committed to improving its return on invested capital as well as maximizing the performance of its assets, and the Panama City mill would require significant capital investment to maintain and improve going forward. In addition, production of fluff pulp is not a priority in the company’s strategy to focus on higher value markets. By closing this mill, significant capital that would be required to keep the mill competitive in the future will be deployed to improve other key assets.

The Panama City mill employs approximately 450 people. Employees of the Panama City mill will receive severance and outplacement assistance in accordance with Company policy and labor union agreements.

About WestRock

WestRock (NYSE: WRK) partners with our customers to provide differentiated, sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock’s team members support customers around the world from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.

ABB has released its High-Performance Infrared-Reflection (HPIR-R) moisture sensor, which provides the fastest, most precise moisture monitoring available on the market today. Taking up to 5,000 measurements per second, the sensor delivers precise, high-resolution measurement that enables mills to increase throughput while reducing operating costs.

• ABB’s new patented technology offers unprecedented speed and accuracy of moisture measurements, even in difficult locations
• Accurate measurement can lead to significant cost savings; a ~1 percent change in moisture can generate up to $400,000 in energy savings
• Precise measurement helps reduce drying costs and emissions for more sustainable operations

This advanced, patented technology will help pulp, paper and board producers to always know the precise moisture levels, giving them confidence to raise moisture targets and improve their CD profiles, enhancing end product quality with fewer rejects as a result.

Being able to measure and control the moisture levels as the sheet moves through the paper machine is critical to reducing energy requirements. This leads to optimized drying, decreased steam usage, significant energy savings in dryer sections and reduced carbon emissions. In fact, changing the steam pressure to create a moisture change of just 1 percent can equate to $400,000 in energy savings.

ABB’s patented High-Performance Infrared Reflection (HPIR-R) moisture sensor gives the fastest moisture measurement on the market

The small spot of infrared energy used in the sensor provides excellent streak resolution and accurate edge-to-edge sheet measurement, even in the most difficult environments. Measurement while scanning is continuous, with no beam chopping or filter wheels ensuring optimum signal-to-noise ratio and maximum measurement rate.

ABB’s new HPIR-R moisture measurement, which also has a built-in sheet temperature sensor, is designed to be fully air-cooled and field repairable. That, coupled with its insensitivity to dust and disturbances enables high uptime and lower total cost of ownership than similar solutions.

“Unlike competitive offerings, ABB’s HPIR-R moisture sensor provides the highest frequency measurements possible, which helps customers to improve quality, reduce downtime, decrease costs and increase yields,” said Andy Broomfield, Product Line Manager at ABB. “It has been designed for papermakers looking for accurate and precise moisture measurement in hot, difficult machine environments.”

While it can be placed in any location, the highest impact application for this reflection moisture sensor is before a size press, where better precision and accuracy let you raise the moisture target, giving optimized starch/sizing pickup and reduced drying energy demand. This also applies to pre-coat locations.

Another high-value application is placing it after the wet press section, enabling operators to adjust press loadings to improve the moisture profile and increase sheet dryness going into the dryers. In addition to energy savings, this also gives higher sheet strength in that sensitive area of the machine, meaning improved runnability and sheet break recovery.

Part of the ABB Ability™ Quality Management System, the sensor is fully digital with high-speed measurements provided alongside a rich set of diagnostic data which is ideal for analytics to inform on-site or corporate-level decision-making. It is applicable for all network platform types and can be used to measure publication grades, graphic papers, board, tissue, packaging, specialist and recycled grades.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations. go.abb/processautomation

European events outline how advanced automation software drives digital transformation of operations

Emerson is hosting a series of Innovation Days to provide process industry and manufacturing companies with valuable insights into how advanced automation software solutions can help maximise environmental sustainability and business performance. The free of charge events, being held across Europe throughout 2022, will demonstrate how the latest industrial software and systems can drive the digital transformation of operations, leading to increased operational efficiency, uptime, safety and profitability.

The Innovation Days feature a broad range of presentations from industry experts addressing the use of advanced diagnostics to monitor the health and performance of instrumentation and control technology, simple ways of transforming data into actionable insights, analysing the efficiency of machines, the use of cloud-based SCADA to monitor remote assets, improving reliability and safety through corrosion and erosion monitoring, and leveraging machine learning technology to optimise plant control and increase production.

Emerson’s in-person Innovation Days will showcase how advanced software solutions can help achieve increased sustainability and business performance.

“Through our extensive portfolio of innovative software solutions, Emerson is able to generate business value by implementing data management, monitoring and control architectures that provide actionable insights, leading to wide-ranging operational improvements,” said John Nita, president of Emerson’s Automation Solutions business in Europe. “The Innovation Days will demonstrate how harnessing software-based technology and digitally transforming operations can help organisations achieve their business and sustainability targets.”

The Innovation Days will feature interactive hands-on demonstrations that show how to improve visibility to key operational data and prioritise the most critical information for improved operations. Delegates will be able to explore pervasive sensing technologies in a 3D virtual plant tour. There will also be opportunities for them to share their experiences, network with their peers and discuss their specific application challenges. The Innovation Days are aimed at management, project and operations personnel, engineers, and maintenance specialists. The events will be held in more than 20 different countries and presented in the local language.

There will be Innovation Days held in the UK and Ireland from June 7th to 23rd. For further details, a complete calendar of events and pre-registration, visit Emerson.com/InnovationDay.

About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global technology and engineering company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial and residential markets. Our Automation Solutions business helps process, hybrid and discrete manufacturers maximise production, protect personnel and the environment while optimising their energy and operating costs. Our Commercial & Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information visit Emerson.com.

Valmet has launched a new additional option for both new and existing users of the Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer. The new option, called Option C, makes it easier for pulp and paper mills to unlock the true potential value of their raw material by calculating and displaying correlations between measured fiber properties and their effect on end product quality.

A variety of pulp quality parameters, including tensile, burst, tear, short span compression (SCT), porosity or softness, can be predicted by the analyzer with results fully customizable. Additional communication protocols now allow easier integration with mill systems to provide operators with faster access to the effects of furnish and process changes. This provides optimum use of raw materials together with improved product quality.

Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer

Industry leader in the fiber analysis with new features

“The Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer has been already recognized by users as the industry leader in the fiber analysis and we see the addition of Option C as a major step forward in laboratory automation. It provides a new tool for the day-to-day management of stock preparation as well as supporting process and product development efforts that improve process efficiency and product quality,” says Tommi Niskanen, Product Manager, Valmet.

The Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer is intended for routine pulp and paper mill laboratory use as well as laboratory research. It offers a comprehensive set of automated fiber measurements for virgin, recycled and synthetic fibers as well as numerous other fibers such as cotton, hemp, jute, flax, and tobacco. The Option C includes Windows based Valmet Data Modeler software, models integration in the analyzer as well as data communication capabilities.

Read more: www.valmet.com/fiber-image-analyzer

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries.  

We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Our 17,000 professionals work close to our customers and are committed to improving our customers’ performance – every day. 

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved, when flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. The combined company net sales in 2021 was approximately EUR 4.5 billion based on the respective company figures.  

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.     

Follow us on valmet.com