Portuguese tissue manufacturer Fortissue is partnering with Toscotec for a groundbreaking project on PM1 at its facility in Viana do Castelo, Northern Portugal. The Toscotec-supplied AHEAD line started up in 2015 (PM1) will be upgraded by Toscotec to become the first tissue machine in the world to operate at 2,000 m/min entirely on electricity. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.

Groundbreaking zero-carbon design 
Equipped with Toscotec’s TT NextPress shoe press, this high-performance machine will be fully upgraded after nine years of efficient operations to meet the goal of making tissue production more sustainable. Toscotec will install a fully electrical air system including e-powered TT Hood with multiple stages of heat recovery. TT Swing will ensure maximum flexibility by giving the choice of the operation modes from full cascading to hybrid depending on the specific production needs. TT Turbodryer will harness the heat recovered from the air system to improve the shoe press de-watering effect and increase post-press dryness. Finally, the new e-powered TT SteamBooster will generate 100% of the steam necessary for the TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer by recovering the heat present in the hoods exhaust air together with high-efficiency electric steam generation.

Carbon emission reductions and high flexibility
The energy needed for PM1’s operation will be generated 100% from electricity. The mill will have the flexibility of choosing to get power from the Portuguese grid or by using 100% renewable energy coming from its solar and wind plants. The corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions will amount to minus 20% in case the tissue line operates from the grid, and net zero GHG emissions if it runs on renewable energy both for its electric and thermal requirements.

Fortissue and Toscotec at Toscotec’s headquarters in Lucca (from left to right): Gabriele Romanini, Toscotec Sales Manager; Natália Ferreira, Fortissue; Nuno Ribeiro, Fortissue Owner; Marco Dalle Piagge, Toscotec Sales Director; Hugo Ribeiro, Fortissue Executive Director.

Nuno Ribeiro, Owner of Fortissue, says: “At Fortissue we are proud to be spearheading the energy transition of the tissue industry. This groundbreaking project will pave the way for a new generation of production lines with top performances that also meet the sustainability requirements put forth by tissue consumers in the European market and beyond”.

Gabriele Romanini, Toscotec’s Sales Manager, says: “Toscotec’s partnership with Fortissue has come a long way in the past 10 years and we are delighted that they selected us for this pioneering project. PM1 was state-of-art when it came online, and we are now working to take it to a whole new level to become the first high-performance tissue line in the world to run on green electricity”.

About Fortissue
Established in 2015 in Alvarães, Northern Portugal, Fortissue is a tissue producer with an annual production capacity of approximately 35,000 tons of paper. It is part of the Ghost Group, which includes three companies: Suavecel, Nunex Worldwide and Fortissue. With over 20 years of experience in the personal hygiene market, the Ghost Group employs more than 300 staff and focuses its investments on the best available technology worldwide, in order to deliver high quality products, while optimizing energy and water consumption and guaranteeing zero waste of raw materials. 

Leading Italian manufacturer of recycled cardboard, Cartiera Fornaci, has placed an order for ABB’s L&W Autoline paper testing equipment to be installed at its board mill in Fagnano Olona, Italy. The compact version of the technology unit will automate Cartiera Fornaci’s entire paper testing process, enhancing efficiency, accuracy and sustainability.

• Italian recycled cardboard manufacturer chooses ABB’s L&W Autoline for automated paper testing

• L&W Autoline streamlines operations, boosts quality and offers significant waste reduction

• Win highlights the growing trend of smaller mills embracing digital transformation for efficiency and sustainability

Cartiera Fornaci has been a staple of the Italian pulp and paper industry for over 60 years. Cartiera Fornaci’s mill, which delivers 55,000 tons of recycled cardboard between 360 to 1000g/m2 to its customers yearly, will leverage the L&W Autoline solution to replace its current manual testing processes. Some of the mill’s testing is currently carried out manually and in writing, a time-consuming process prone to human error. With the implementation of L&W Autoline, the Fornaci mill team will benefit from automated paper testing, which is typically 10 times faster than manual testing, with complete results available in under 10 minutes.

Armed with these insights, Cartiera Fornaci will be empowered to make more informed decisions and take quicker corrective action and adjust their processes and parameters in real time. These optimizations will deliver increased efficiencies with significant waste reduction, saving energy and raw materials usage.

“We are excited to partner with ABB as they support us on our journey of digital transformation,” said Benedetta Cattaneo, Managing Director at Cartiera Fornaci. “We were captivated by L&W Autoline from the first demonstration and can clearly see the value it will deliver to our mill as we move away from manual, time intensive processes into a new age of automated insights.”

“While large mills have historically led the way in adopting technologies enabling digital transformation, smaller mills are increasingly recognizing the significant benefits digitalization and automation offers and its importance in keeping pace with larger players,” said Erik Teunissen, Area Sales Manager, ABB Italy. “We hope that Cartiera Fornaci’s adoption of the L&W Autoline sets a positive example for other smaller mills looking to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability in the evolving pulp and paper industry.”

ABB’s L&W Autoline is the fastest and most reliable automated paper testing solution. It meets current industry standards (ISO/TAPPI) and delivers accurate and repeatable quality reports in minutes, allowing production to react faster to process disturbances.

The scope of the testing modules includes: Bendtsen Roughness, Thickness, Moisture, Burst P, Bending 50 mm, Grammage.

ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers in process, hybrid and maritime industries improve performance and safety of operations, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. go.abb/processautomation

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on over 140 years of excellence, ABB’s more than 105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com

James Cropper, a global leader in advanced materials, luxury packaging, and paper products, is celebrating after taking home an international award in recognition for its work with Islay single malt Scotch whisky brand, Bruichladdich.

The ‘Packaging Design’ accolade was awarded to the papermaker at The FAB Awards for creating the first of Bruichladdich’s Luxury Redefined range, with a fully sustainable outer wrap - the first of its kind in the whisky space.  

The FAB Awards showcase the best of the food and beverage industry and celebrates brands who demonstrate outstanding creativity and innovation in the sector.

The coloured wrap, made for The Bruichladdich Eighteen and The Bruichladdich Thirty bottles, is the definition of conscious modern luxury.  Made from fully recyclable paper pulp and moulded to the shape of the Bruichladdich optimised, proprietary glass bottle, the packaging is fully recyclable.

Bespoke in colour and shape with unique emboss and deboss features, the design also includes a branded, oversized custom clasp feature. Using 100% fresh fibre the wrap is significantly lighter than previous packaging solutions without compromising strength or integrity while significantly reducing Bruichladdich’s CO2 impact.  

This latest recognition follows the papermaker winning the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) Sustainable Innovation Award for its work with Bruichladdich and being announced as a finalist at the Packaging Premiere Awards in Milan last month.

Richard Bracewell at James Cropper Paper Products said: “This award celebrates our commitment to innovation and sustainability, marking a significant milestone in the whisky packaging industry. By creating the first fully sustainable outer wrap for Bruichladdich’s exquisite single malt Scotch whisky, we've set a new standard for contemporary luxury.

“This achievement reaffirms our dedication to developing advanced materials that not only meet but exceed the expectations of conscious consumers. We are proud to lead the way in sustainable packaging solutions and look forward to continuing our work in transforming the drinks industry among others."

The wrap was created in collaboration with global creative partner, Thirst.

About James Cropper

James Cropper is a global market leader in advanced materials and paper products. For six generations, the company has been led by the Cropper family, boasting an international workforce and operations spanning over 50 countries. Established in 1845, the Group manufactures paper, packaging, and advanced materials, incorporating pioneering non-wovens and electrochemical coatings. Their expertise extends from substrates and components in hydrogen electrolysis and fuel cells to bespoke colours and textures in paper and moulded fibre packaging, designed to replace single-use plastics. The James Cropper FibreBlend upcycled technology transforms waste, including used coffee cups and jeans, into beautiful, fully recyclable paper and packaging solutions. James Cropper aims to achieve operational carbon neutrality by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions throughout its supply chain to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For more information, visit: www.jamescropper.com/businesses/james-cropper-paper.

Valmet has been selected in a public procurement process to deliver a 50 MW pellet-fired heating plant to Göteborg Energi AB to be built at Mölndal Energi’s Riskulla site in the municipality of Mölndal, Sweden.

The order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the second quarter 2024. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The pellet plant will be started up in late 2026.

The plant will be integrated into the existing district heating plant and operated by Mölndal Energi. The new boiler plant will meet the need for more renewable district heating in the southern part of Göteborg Energi’s district heating network and optimize district heat production in the Mölndal/Gothenburg region.

“Through this investment, we will be more resource-efficient and increase the amount of renewable district heating in the region. As a whole, the district heating customers in Mölndal and Gothenburg will get more cost-effective and reliable district heating,” says Per-Anders Gustafsson, CEO, Göteborg Energi.

“We are very pleased to continue our good cooperation with Göteborg Energi in replacing fossil fuels with renewable wood pellets in district heat production. This is the second order that they have placed on Valmet within a short period of time and an addition to our long track record of projects together,” says Aleksi Salmirinne, Vice President, Energy business unit, Pulp and Energy business line, Valmet.

Delivery’s technical information

Valmet’s turnkey delivery to the Riskulla plant will include a boiler with a fuel receiving pocket, pellet storage as well as milling and wood dust dosing to the boiler. Valmet will also supply a flue gas cleaning system consisting of a Valmet Bag House Filter and a Valmet Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. Spare parts are included in the delivery.

About the customer

Göteborg Energi AB is fully owned by the city of Gothenburg in Sweden. Besides developing and supplying new solutions within energy production and broadband connections, the company is also working toward a bigger goal – a sustainable Gothenburg. Göteborg Energi has almost 1,000 employees who work to make the city more sustainable.

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. Our more than 19,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day.

valmet.com

Valmet is to deliver Dewatering Element Ceramics to Al Dhafra Paper Manufacturing Company’s paper mill in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

The order was included in Valmet's orders received of the first quarter 2024. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.

The Valmet Dewatering Element Ceramics are made of wear-resistant material offering long and trouble-free operation and optimized dewatering in the forming section of the mill’s paper machine.

“We appreciate Valmet’s know-how and long experience in developing products and services for the pulp and paper industry. We are looking forward to cooperating with Valmet and eager to see the positive impact that the new dewatering elements have on our production,” says Mr J. Subramanyam, General Manager, Raw Materials & Procurements at Union Paper Mills and Al Dhafra Manufacturing Company in Abu Dhabi.

“At Valmet, we strive to develop an open dialogue with our customers and seek ways to continuously develop their performance further. We believe this delivery will strengthen our cooperation with Al Dhafra mill, leading to new successful projects in the future,” says Luigi Lupi, Product Manager for paper process parts in the Services business line at Valmet.

The delivery continues the original equipment manufacturer legacy of Coldwater Seals, a global provider of consumables and services for the pulp and paper industry that Valmet acquired in 2022.

Delivery's technical information

Valmet’s delivery includes the replacement of dewatering elements in the forming section of the mill’s paper machine and inspection of the old, worn-out dewatering elements to be reconditioned and stored for later use.

About the customer

Al Dhafra Paper Manufacturing Company is part of the M.A.H.Y. Khoory Group, one of the oldest corporates established in the UAE with over 2,000 employees across the Middle East. Al Dhafra Paper Manufacturing Company is located in Abu Dhabi, where it produces fluting and test liner from 100% recycled wastepaper.

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. Our more than 19,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. Valmet’s net sales in 2023 were approximately EUR 5.5 billion.

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

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Runtech Systems and Levent Kâğıt San. ve Tic. A.S PM2 in Kemalpasa, Izmir, Turkey, have signed a 5-year RunCare Agreement. The agreement includes all needed maintenance actions and an extended warranty for the recently commissioned RunEco Vacuum System with EP600 Turbo Blower, EcoDrop water separator and EcoFlow multi dewatering measurement.

“Our target is to make life better for our customers. By providing ready maintenance plans for EP Turbo Blowers, we reduce administrative work in customer’s maintenance and purchasing teams. The RunCare Agreement is an easy way for the customers to make sure that the vacuum system is used and working properly. An agreement also strengthens the cooperation between the parties,” says Lari Lampila, Sales & Aftermarket Manager, Runtech Systems.

About RunEco Vacuum System and RunCare Agreement

RunEco offers a sustainable and energy-efficient vacuum solution designed specifically for industrial paper machine applications. This water-free system ensures reliability while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and minimizing the carbon footprint.

EP Turbo Blowers are advanced blowers equipped with integrated high-speed motors controlled by a frequency converter. This innovative technology allows for precise adjustment of rotation speed and vacuum level to meet the specific requirements of the papermaking process. With RunCare, we plan and schedule the maintenance actions according to the mill’s production plan requiring minimal time and effort from the customer organization.

The RunCare Agreement is a long-term partnership, featuring an extended warranty for the first five years. The typical length of the turbo blower service agreement is 5–10 years. Individual maintenance does not need to be ordered separately. With comprehensive reporting and feedback on the serviced equipment and 24/7 on-call assistance mills can be sure that the RunEco Vacuum System is working at the optimum settings.

About Levent Kâğıt

Levent Kâğıt is specialized in manufacturing tissue papers such as napkin, towels and toilet papers in reel using both cellulose and recycled paper pulp. Reels are sold to converters for domestic and non-domestic use. The mill also produces MG (single-glazed) paper, with a production range of 17-120 gr/m². With a trim width of 446 cm, PM2 produces over 20,000 tons of paper annually.

Read more about RunEco solution https://www.runtechsystems.com/en-fi/energy-and-vacuum-systems

Runtech Systems is a global provider of engineered systems tailored to the pulp and paper industries. Runtech works with customers to better understand and control their operational conditions to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness.

International technology group ANDRITZ has successfully started up the new high-temperature PrimeDry Hood HT and air system supplied for the rebuild of a tissue machine at Kartogroup España’s mill in Burriana, Spain.

Pascual Gómez, COO of Kartogroup, said: “The rebuild will significantly reduce gas and steam consumption and lower emissions at our mill, making our production more sustainable and cost-effective. Thanks to the seamless collaboration and personalized approach of the ANDRITZ team, the entire project went smoothly and was completed on schedule.”

First jumbo toilet paper roll manufactured on tissue machine PM4 after the rebuild by ANDRITZ at the Kartogroup España S.L. mill in Burriana, Spain

The new equipment installed on the PM4 tissue machine features an optimized impingement distribution of the hood nozzle boxes, a heat recovery system, a state-of-the-art burner management system and Yankee head insulation. These solutions maximize the hood drying performance while reducing the specific energy consumption. They also result in increased safety and a significant reduction of CO₂ emissions.

ANDRITZ’s scope of supply also included installation supervision, commissioning, training, and start-up assistance.

Kartogroup España S.L., a member of the Cominter Group, has more than 40 years’ experience in the tissue business. At its mills in Burriana and Hernani, Spain, the company produces high-quality tissue for household and industrial applications.

ANDRITZ GROUP

International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems, services and digital solutions for a wide range of industries and end markets. Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s business strategy and corporate culture. With its extensive portfolio of sustainable products and solutions, ANDRITZ aims to make the greatest possible contribution to a sustainable future and help its customers achieve their sustainability goals. ANDRITZ is a global market leader in all four of its business areas – Pulp & Paper, Metals, Hydropower and Environment & Energy. Technological leadership and global presence are cornerstones of the group’s strategy, which is focused on long-term profitable growth. The publicly listed group has around 30,000 employees and over 280 locations in more than 80 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER

ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides sustainable technology, automation, and service solutions for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on increased production efficiency, lower overall operating costs as well as innovative decarbonization strategies and autonomous plant operation.

The product portfolio also includes boilers for power generation, various nonwoven technologies, and panelboard (MDF) production systems. With waste-to-value recycling, shredding and energy solutions, waste and by-product streams from production are converted into valuable secondary raw materials as well as into sustainable resources for energy generation. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

Moorim Paper, a global paper manufacturer, has placed a substantial order distributed across three mills: Moorim Ulsan, Moorim Jinju and Moorim Daegu, utilizing Voith Paper Webshop's streamlined ordering process. This order represents an important milestone in Moorim Paper’s collaboration within the Voith Paper Webshop and was realized thanks to Voith Paper’s Asia Pacific Sales and Customer Service Representative Team.

"The easy order management provided by Voith has significantly streamlined our procurement process. We are pleased with the efficiency and reliability of the platform," says Se-hwan Cheon, Purchasing Manager at Moorim Paper.

The order from Moorim Paper includes a range of fabrics and sleeves, showcasing the versatility and comprehensive offerings available through the Voith Paper Webshop. The seamless transaction underscores the platform's capability to facilitate complex orders across multiple mills, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Al Choi, Sales Representative of Voith, shares his perspective on the collaboration: "Voith is committed to providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The successful execution of this order for Moorim Paper demonstrates the effectiveness of our Webshop in enabling seamless transactions and driving operational excellence."

The Voith Paper Webshop offers a user-friendly e-commerce platform for easy order management, providing customers like Moorim Paper with a convenient and efficient procurement experience. The process integration into Moorim Paper's operations highlights Voith's dedication to delivering tailored solutions that optimize production processes and drive business success.

Runtech delivers a ropeless tail threading systems to Munksjo Caieiras Ltda, Brazil. The delivery includes Runshooter technology with detailed engineering and startup support. With the upgrade Caieiras targets more fluent and faster tail threading and improved operator safety.

“Safety issues are getting more and more important in Brazilian markets as well as everywhere else. With our ropeless tail threading system Munksjo is not only lowering significantly risk of injuries, but at the same time increasing efficiency on paper machine by reduced downtime,” says Lari Lampila, Sales and Aftermarket Manager, Runtech Systems.

Runtech’s composite products are manufactured in Kolho facility, Finland.

Runtech Systems’ ropeless tail threading technology provides numerous benefits. It improves operator safety significantly while also shortening tail threading time during web breaks by up to 80% to increase production. In many cases, the technology enables mills to increase machine speed, which would not be possible with manual tail threading without risking operator safety. Also, thanks to the automated process, operators can focus on other tasks. All these benefits are reflected in a short payback time.

About Munksjö

Munksjö is the first international manufacturer solely dedicated to decor paper. Through investments, Munksjö aims to reduce their CO₂ emissions by 25% per ton of paper by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions latest by 2050. Munksjö has 11 paper machines and a production capacity of 250,000 tons per year. Caieiras mill produces over 46,000 tons of decor paper annually.

Read more about RunPro solutions https://www.runtechsystems.com/en-fi/paper-machine-runnability-and-tail-threading

Runtech Systems is a global provider of engineered systems tailored to the pulp and paper industries. Runtech works with customers to better understand and control their operational conditions to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness.