Valmet and Georgia-Pacific have entered into a licensing agreement covering the eTAD(TM) tissue making technology. Under the license agreement, Valmet will market, manufacture and install Advantage eTAD machines for tissue customers outside North America.

The eTAD(TM) technology was developed by Georgia-Pacific.The company has three eTAD(TM) machines operating in North America; the latest two re-built by Valmet in 2012. The machines are running in full eTAD(TM) configuration and producing structured tissue and towel with high quality and absorbency. The eTAD(TM) concept provides an ultra-premium product with high bulk to fiber ratio in combination with low energy and water consumption. The concept is also capital efficient.

Advantage-eTAD

"We are very excited about this agreement that will support our strategy to provide tissue making solutions that offer top quality tissue with sustainable production. Valmet and its customers will have the possibility to make trial runs on Georgia-Pacific's pilot eTAD(TM) machine, and also bring customers to reference visits at mills with operating eTAD(TM) machines. This agreement will further strengthen our product portfolio and ensure that we are able to provide tissue machine concepts covering the whole product range," says Jan Erikson, VP Sales, Tissue Mills Business Unit, Valmet.

"This technology meets consumer needs for premium qualities in tissue products, including softness and absorbency," says Kurt Adams, Vice President, R&D, Georgia-Pacific. "We are pleased to license eTAD(TM) technology to Valmet as we recognize the value-creating potential of offering this technology more broadly."

About Georgia-Pacific

Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, office papers, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. The company operates nearly 200 facilities and employs approximately 35,000 people directly, and creates nearly 92,000 jobs indirectly.

Voith's innovative CleanLine traversing cleaning systems for fabrics provide additional benefits for customers compared to established cleaning methods.

With CleanLine, Voith has developed its systems to improve paper quality by thorough cleaning of the fabrics.  CleanLine systems are available for all sections of the paper machine either as new installations or as upgrades of existing Voith equipment to remove more contamination from the surface and structure of fabrics. The CleanLine systems work in combination with other Voith products to improve the productivity, runnability, safety and quality of the paper making process.

Voith has just introduced CleanLine Extract4D in the drying section for packaging and newsprint paper grades made from recycled fiber.

Maintain Fabric Performance
Clean fabrics are essential for the removal of moisture from the paper web and for achieving the required properties of the finished paper. Voith CleanLine Systems are effective in maintaining the performance of the fabrics and are a cost effective solution to reduce the effects of contamination.

Leading Technology
CleanLine Excell – Forming: by cleaning in two directions with a close concentration of fine water jets the forming fabric is much cleaner. Uniform performance of the fabric is achieved because Excell can more easily remove different levels of contamination across the fabric width. The system uses only about 10 percent of the water volume compared to an oscillating high pressure shower and runs on key reference machines in Europe, America and Asia.

CleanLine Excell – Press: has a selection of different cleaning heads for additional cleaning of press fabrics and transfer belts to solve specific problems with contamination, cleaning chemicals or profiles.

CleanLine Extract4D – Dryers: has just been introduced for packaging and newsprint paper grades made from recycled fiber. Up to four directions of water jets directly contact and remove more contamination from the fabric. This unique system has resulted in better runnabilitry on both packaging and newsprint machines due to cleaner fabric surfaces and higher permeability retention.

CleanLine Extreme – Coaters: is a new system for cleaning tensioning fabrics, running successfully on more than 20 top and bottom sections. Productivity is improved because the system can automatically switch between on-line and off-line cleaning to keep the fabrics in good condition. Highest quality of the coated paper is achieved by using an extended air-knife and option of a heated air blower to ensure that the fabric surface is dry when it contacts the coated paper.

Servolution
With Servolution, Voith is offering customized service packages to improve the performance of its customers and help them increase their productivity. The holistic approach, modular design and easy access to components in the CleanLine systems provides efficient servicing and management of spare parts from a single supplier. Voith provides a comprehensive support package to ensure the highest availability and performance of the cleaning equipment. 

The quality of raw material for making paper faces many challenges in the coming years. Voith’s process know-how, understanding of fabrics and wide experience of fabric cleaning systems makes CleanLine the complete solution for fabric cleaning.

International technology group ANDRITZ has been awarded an order by Zellstoff Pöls to optimize operations at its pulp mill in Pöls, Austria. The goal is to increase production, while stabilizing the pulp mill’s production process and optimizing chemical use at the same time. here.

The tried-and-tested Metris OPP system (OPP: Optimization of Process Performance) from ANDRITZ, which has been used successfully in reference plants all around the world, will be used here.

Metris OPP is an IIoT system developed by ANDRITZ and comprises a range of digitally supported tools based on big data analysis to improve industrial processes. The system has been modernized continuously in recent years, and new tools such as artificial intelligence, apps, and so on, have been added. More than 50 international groups are already working with Metris OPP successfully, many of which only began using it in the past two years. The overall net benefit generated by these companies so far with Metris OPP amounts to over 150 million euros.The OPP system, which is used above all in pulp and paper production, detects anomalies and deviations at an early stage by analyzing production data. As a result, countermeasures can be implemented in good time, guaranteeing reliable production and also optimizing operations, including the use of resources.

Valmet will supply a high-speed containerboard making line for a customer in Zhejiang province, China. The board production line is designed to produce high-quality recycled fluting grades and the start-up is scheduled for the end of year 2019.

The order is included in Valmet's second quarter of 2018 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The total value of an order of this type and scope is typically around EUR 25-35 million.

The customer's goal for the project is to increase its capacity and market share. "The customer is growing strongly and wants to achieve larger market share with more production capacity and a bigger production machinery. Valmet's strong references convinced the customer to choose our reliable and high-performing technology. One differentiating and decisive factor was Valmet's new type of a spray sizer," says Fan Ze, Vice President, Capital Sales, China, Valmet.

Technical details about the delivery

Valmet's delivery includes a complete containerboard making line with broke collection, approach flow system, an OptiFlo Foudrinier headbox, an OptiFormer Hybrid forming section with shoe and blade technology, an OptiPress Center press section, an OptiRun dryer section, OptiAir Hood high humidity hood, an OptiSizer Spray sizer with related supply system and surface size preparation system, ventilation equipment for board machine, and an OptiReel Pope reel. The delivery includes also Valmet IQ quality measurement system (QMS).

The 7,250-mm-wide (wire) board machine will produce recycled fluting grades with the basis weight range of 60-40 g/m². The design speed of the machine will be 1,400 m/min.

The scope of supply also includes erection supervision, commissioning and start-up assistance, as well as onsite training programs on operation and maintenance.

With this new double reference, Toscotec enters the growing Philippine market and strengthens its undiscussed leadership as global manufacturer of steel Yankee dryers. In Asia alone, Toscotec has sold over one hundred TT SYD, out of more than 200 units worldwide. Particularly in the segment of replacing cast iron Yankee with steel Yankee dryers, Toscotec is very far ahead of the game, with over 80 TT SYD replacements in five continents around the world.

Mr. Emmanuel Gaspar, Executive Vice President of Bataan 2020, Inc. declared, “At Bataan 2020, we are committed to responsible industrial production to protect the environment. Among other projects, we produce steam from renewable power sources. Toscotec’s TT SYD make it possible for us to actually reduce steam consumption and keep up the highest standard of efficiency on our operations. We are happy to say that the two TT SYD have been performing extremely well since start-up”.    

Gabriele Martinelli, Toscotec’s Area Sales Manager Asia & Pacific replied, “We are very proud to see Toscotec’s cutting edge technology applied to a green project, such as Bataan 2020’s. The market is definitely moving toward the most efficient drying solutions, which deliver the best performances with the lowest ecological footprint. This is why we are confident that TT SYD and its continuous evolutions will play an increasingly important role in the years to come”.

About Bataan 2020, Inc.

Bataan 2020 is one of the leading manufacturers of fine quality paper, board and tissue in the Philippines. It operates paper mills in Samal, Bataan and Baesa, Quezon City to produce over 100,000 metric tons of paper annually. With roots in the paper industry dating back to 1956, Bataan 2020 has built on its papermaking experience and has grown to include businesses in renewable power generation and chemical manufacturing.

BillerudKorsnäs has just announced that negotiations with labour unions over a proposal for new organisation will be initiated within short. The proposal contains a full profit and loss responsibility in three divisions.

“During my first months with BillerudKorsnäs, it has become clear to me that we have great conditions for profitable growth. In order for us to take maximum advantage out of these conditions, we need to become faster and clarify accountability within the company. This we now want to accomplish through a new organisation in three divisions with full profit and loss responsibility”, says Petra Einarsson, President and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs.
The current organisation of BillerudKorsnäs is a matrix with three business areas, a production organisation and a number of supporting functions. The proposal for a new organisation, which will be subject to negotiations, contains an organisation in three divisions: sack and kraft papers, board and corrugated materials, and packaging solutions. The production units will be included in the division for sack and kraft papers and in the division for board and corrugated materials. All the details of the future organisation are not yet decided and will be worked out and negotiated going forward.

In parallel to this process, a review of the roles and composition of the senior management team of the company will also be carried out.
After finalised negotiations, the ambition is to staff the new organisation and fully implement it during the latter part of 2018. The external financial reporting of the company will be changed according to the new organisation by January 1st, 2019.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) has just announced a $52.3 million strategic investment plan for its Saint-Félicien pulp mill, located in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, and many dignitaries and company employees.

"The significant investments at Saint-Félicien are expected to improve several areas of the operation, increasing the average daily production capacity by 76 metric tons and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels by 20%," said Yves Laflamme, president and chief executive officer.

On April 30, 2018, Resolute announced a $13 million investment in its La Doré (Quebec) wood products facilities, also located in Lac-Saint-Jean. In 2016, the company inaugurated Toundra Greenhouse, located adjacent to the Saint-Félicien pulp mill, a $100 million joint venture project with local investors.

During today's press conference, Yves Laflamme thanked local employees, government officials, as well as regional academic and economic development organizations for their continued support and advocacy.

Resolute employs close to 240 workers at the pulp mill, and more than 2,000 in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

The upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

Valmet will supply a containerboard making line for Hamburger Rieger GmbH at its Spremberg Mill in Germany. The new production line (PM 2) including Valmet's automation solutions will be designed to produce high-quality testliner grades based on 100% recycled paper.

With the new high performance boardmaking machine producing products of a wide basis weight range, Hamburger aims to further strengthen its position in the growing European containerboard business. The start-up of the machine is scheduled for mid-2020.

The order is included in Valmet's second quarter of 2018 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The total value of an order of this type is typically around EUR 70-90 million.

"The ability to show good references is always an important factor when a customer chooses a supplier. This was also crucial for Hamburger when they decided to make an agreement with Valmet. Valmet's technology delivers high productivity, resource efficiency, excellent quality and low operating costs. We have built up a good and close relationship with Hamburger over the years. This forms an optimal foundation for an excellent project and a strong reference for Valmet in Europe," says Vesa Simola, EMEA Area President of Valmet.

After signing the contract, from left: Werner Ofenböck, Jan Hagen (both from Hamburger), Harri Heikkilä (Valmet), Harald Ganster (Hamburger), Vesa Simola (Valmet), Cord Prinzhorn (Hamburger) and Marko Oinonen (Valmet)

Technical details about the delivery

Valmet's delivery will include a new high-capacity containerboard machine from headbox to reel followed by an OptiWin Pro winder. The winder was selected because it gives high capacity due to its proactive winding geometry and faster sequences. The winder is equipped with Dual Unwind giving even higher capacity because the parent rolls can be changed in only one minute. The machine will be delivered with a fabrics package. The automation solution includes Valmet IQ quality measurement system and Valmet DNA process control system. The delivery will also include process support for six months after the start-up. The goal of the support period is production and quality development.

The 8,600-mm wide (wire) containerboard machine will produce uncoated white and brown testliner and white top testliner grades with a basis weight range of 90-180 g/m². The design speed of the machine will be 1,500 m/min and the capacity 500,000 tonnes annually.

About the customer Hamburger Rieger

Hamburger Rieger is part of the Hamburger Containerboard Division within the Austrian Prinzhorn Group. Hamburger Rieger is the market leader in the segment of white coated corrugates base paper. With 2 million tonnes and seven plants, Hamburger Containerboard ranks among Europe's leading manufacturers of premium corrugated base paper. With its 6,600 employees in 15 countries, the Prinzhorn Group is a European market leader in the packaging, paper and recycling industry. The family owned and managed Prinzhorn Group has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

Effective June 1, 2018, to offset rapid and unprecedented increases in freight costs, Kemira will implement a $0.02/pound price adjustment for all Process & Functional Chemicals sold on a delivered basis to pulp and paper customers in North America. The increase will apply to all customers whose price has not been previously adjusted for freight during 2018 and is independent of any future price adjustments based on raw material and manufacturing cost changes. 

"Transportation costs have risen significantly and continue to rise. Carriers have raised freight rates to offset increasing costs due to the new "Electronic Logging Device and Hours of Service Rule" and a well-documented driver shortage. Likewise, our raw material suppliers are implementing price increases and/or freight surcharges to offset these same market forces," says Billy Ford, Senior Vice President, Pulp & Paper Americas. "While Kemira has taken every possible mitigating step, we are unfortunately no longer able to absorb these increased costs."

Valmet-delivered, a completely new type of a sizer, OptiSizer Hard, with related chemical systems were successfully started up at Propapier PM1 GmbH Burg mill in Germany a day ahead of schedule on April 19, 2018. The production line PM1 produces liner, fluting and kraft substitutes grades based on 100% waste paper. Thanks to a very good cooperation and a purposeful project work, all the produced containerboards have been saleable from the very start.

Good results from day one

A prototype product and a very tight shut-down schedule is a challenging combination. Despite the initial setup, most of the targets were achieved right after the start-up. The web passed through the nip smoothly and runnability was excellent. The new technology shows already a great potential to achieve the goals regarding strength properties and steam consumption.

"I was quite amazed to see the fast start-up of our new sizer. Earlier, high web tension levels were causing quite a bit of challenges to runnability. It looks like this obstacle no longer exists. We have achieved the targeted quality specification and now we can focus on the further benefits we are aiming at e.g. steam savings, higher strength levels or starch savings," says Phillipos Vrizas, Technology Manager at Propapier.

"The very first closing of the nip rolls is a moment telling a lot about any new sizer - especially a prototype sizer. It looked perfect. I couldn't see any web tension induced wrinkling in the web. The schedule was very tight with only a 11-day shutdown time. The fact that we were able to squeeze it into a 10-day break was quite amazing and a proof of an excellent cooperation and preplanning," says Jani Hakola, Development Manager at Valmet's Board and Paper Mills Business Unit.

The result of joint effort: First roll after the start-up of OptiSizer Hard at the Propapier's Burg Mill

Technical information about the delivery

Valmet's delivery included a new sizer called OptiSizer Hard. Compared to conventional sizer, OptiSizer Hard has a pair of hard cover nip rolls. Starch is sprayed on the rolls which transfer the starch into the nip where it is further transferred into paper web.

Strength is among the most important benefits with OptiSizer Hard. Starch is dosed in the roll nip with higher nip pressure, which increases the density of fibers. This leads into better strength properties. To mention a few other benefits of OptiSizer Hard, the life cycle costs are lower due spray application and runnability is better due to better nip profile control.

The existing and outdated starch preparation system was replaced with Valmet's starch preparation system specially designed for OptiSizer Hard and its spray application method. The properties of produced starch have substantially lower range of variation, which helps to produce liner boards within the targeted quality specifications. The delivered supply system is fully automated and equipped with pressure screens.

To further improve the properties of liner and fluting grades Propapier is producing, a cooperation agreement of 20 weeks was made. The target of the agreement is to find the best practices with the new sizer e.g. by reducing energy consumption, and by further improving liner and fluting properties, such as the lighter basis weight of containerboards without compromising other important properties.

Information about the customer Progroup

Progroup AG is questioning the existing, developing completely new approaches and bringing trend-setting concepts to market readiness. The successful development of the group is based on a consistent greenfield strategy, technological leadership, network management and an advanced supply chain strategy. With currently two paper factories (Propapier in Burg and Eisenhüttenstadt), a combined heat and power plant (Propower), ten corrugated board plants (Prowell) and several service companies (Prologistik, Proservice, Profund), Progroup's core business is the production of containerboard and corrugated board sheets. With 1100 employees, in 2017 the company generated sales of around 804 million euros and is one of the top 3 companies in the sector in Central Europe. The brands of the Next Generation Products are synonymous with the use of less raw material and less CO₂ emissions coupled with an increase in performance, and have come to epitomise sustainable thinking and a sustainable way of doing business in the industry.

Under the Progroup umbrella, the production facilities of Propapier in Burg and Eisenhüttenstadt produce containerboard to become less dependent from the volatile paper market. At the Burg site in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt the heavier kraft liner substitutes and test liner products weighing from 110 to 230 g/m² are made. The first-time installation of the OptiSizer Hard is again a great example for Progroup's "Power of Innovation" philosophy and is further strengthening Progroup's quality, reliability and cost leadership.