A.Celli Paper assisted the PT. Dayasa Aria Prima (Dayasa) team in every step of the process to ensure a successful start-up of the paper machine converted to the production of Corrugated Medium by applying PMT technology.

A.Celli Paper is proud to announce that on Saturday March 13^th PT. Dayasa Aria Prima (Dayasa), a subsidiary of PT. Fajar Surya Wisesa (SCG - SIAM CEMENT GROUP), has successfully started-up the completely rebuilt PM#1 located in their Gresik plant.

Given the current global situation and the consequent travel restrictions, the start-up was carried out remotely thanks to the continuous support of A.Celli Paper team and a detailed commissioning program with specific documentation.

The 5600 mm wire machine has been converted from the production of coated paper to Corrugated Medium with a design basis weight of 90 gsm at a design speed of 1200mpm.

The A.Celli Paper/PMT supply included:

• PMT Shoe Press with Deflection-Controlled Roll
• Major rebuild of the dryer section with the installation of Vacuum Rolls, Stabilizer Boxes and a new Rope Less Threading System

With the acquisition of PMT and the full integration of the PMT engineering, A.Celli Paper is now in the position to supply machinery equipment for all kind of paper.

This supply will be added to the existing A.Celli E-WIND P100 Paper Rewinder equipped with the Slittomatic™ Web-In automatic slitting units positioning system and with the addition of the spool storage.

The successful rebuild carried out for SCG, which follows the supply of a new paper rewinder in one of their Vietnam plant and the rebuild of an existing rewinder made by another manufacturer, is a great achievement for all our Asian customers.

This is also a perfect demonstration that no matter the obstacles due to the global pandemic, A.Celli will always be by your side.

Commenting on the group’s results, Sappi Chief Executive Officer Steve Binnie said: “I am pleased with the steady recovery from the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. EBITDA continued to improve quarter-on-quarter from a low of US$26m in our third quarter of 2020 through US$98m in the previous quarter to US$112 for the current quarter, with further improvement expected for our third quarter.”

He continued: “The North American and South African regions recorded strong improvements in profitability. This was in contrast to Europe where extended lockdowns and restrictions on economic activity hindered the performance. Covid-19 also severely affected global shipping and container availability, which impacted sales volumes in a number of product categories.

Our comprehensive Covid-19 action plan is fully entrenched in all of our operations and employee safety remains a top priority. The rate of employee and contractor infections reduced significantly during the quarter across all regions and as a consequence there was minimal impact on mill operations.”

Looking forward, Binnie stated: “Given the favourable market conditions for DP and packaging and speciality papers, offset partially by the weak graphic paper demand and global logistical challenges, we expect the third quarter EBITDA to improve relative to the second quarter.  However, earnings in the European business will be lower due to rising pulp costs.”

Financial summary for the quarter

• EBITDA excluding special items US$112 million (Q2 FY20 US$131 million)
• Net debt US$2,070 million (Q2 FY20 US$1,879 million)
• Loss for the period US$23 million (Q2 FY20 Profit of US$2 million)
• EPS excluding special items -1 US cent (Q21 FY20 4 US cents)

For the quarter, a strong packaging and specialities performance combined with solid results from dissolving pulp (DP) more than offset the weak demand and margin squeeze in graphic paper.  

A positive highlight for the quarter was the continued rapid recovery of DP markets, with Chinese market prices at the highest levels since May 2012. The key factors supporting the positive sentiment in the sector include continued tight DP supply, low viscose staple fibre (VSF) inventory levels throughout the textile value chain, improved apparel retail demand in the US and Asia which favourably impacted all textile fibre prices, higher paper pulp prices and a continued weaker US$/Renminbi exchange rate. 

Sales volumes in the packaging and specialities segment increased by 25% compared to last year due to a further ramp-up of board products in North America and strong containerboard demand in South Africa. While demand for most categories in Europe was positive, some non-essential products were affected by Covid-19 related lockdowns.

The steady rate of recovery in graphic paper demand over the last two quarters slowed and sales volumes in the segment were 17% lower than the same quarter last year. Capacity closures enabled Sappi to gain market share but pressure on input costs, particularly pulp, and rising delivery charges impacted profitability negatively.

Across all regions logistics issues, including congested networks, shipping line schedule disruptions, lack of containers and vessel space constraints impacted regular customer deliveries, saw a rise in delivery costs and higher freight rates and prevented Sappi from achieving the benefits of improved export market demand, in particular from Europe and South Africa.

In a positive development, new leverage covenants have been agreed with the banking group as Sappi exits the financial covenant suspension period in September 2021. The new covenants will start at 5.50 for December 2021 and reduce quarterly to 4.25 by March 2023.

Outlook

DP market indicators remain positive and demand from our customers currently exceeds our capacity. As at 30 April 2021 the Chinese DP market price was US$1,100 per ton. However, pricing for VSF and other textile fibres has reduced in recent weeks. Much of the benefit from the material recovery of DP prices in the second quarter will be realised in subsequent quarters due to the lag in contractual pricing. A prolonged stronger ZAR/US$ exchange rate will temper some of the pricing benefits for the South African DP segment.

The underlying demand in the packaging and specialities segment in North America and South Africa remains robust and our focus is shifting to improving margins through machine efficiencies, mix optimisation and price realisation. However, as long as there is uncertainty in Europe regarding the continuing lockdowns due to Covid-19, the sluggish economic activity in this region is expected to impact demand for non-essential consumer products.

Graphic paper markets remain challenging and demand is still well below the long term pre-Covid-19 trend levels. The persistent weak demand in Europe is likely to keep the market in oversupply and diminish pricing power. The lag in sales price increase realisation in combination with rising raw material and logistics costs could exacerbate the margin squeeze even further in that region.

Ongoing worldwide logistical challenges of container shortages, port congestion and availability of vessel capacity pose a risk to export volumes from all regions in the third quarter.

Capital expenditure in FY2021 is estimated to be US$400 million and the Saiccor Mill expansion project is expected to commence production in the fourth quarter. Liquidity headroom within the group is good. The successful reinstatement of our leverage covenants as described earlier provides a comfortable level of headroom when covenant measurement commences again from December 2021.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Lee & Man Paper to supply two semi-chemical fiberlines for its mills in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, and Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, China.

Start-up of both lines is scheduled for the end of 2022.

The new fiberlines will have a capacity of 1,000 admt/d each and process eucalyptus wood chips to produce semi-chemical pulp, an intermediate grade between kraft pulp and mechanical pulp. Semi-chemical pulp provides excellent fiber properties for corrugated boards, such as fluting paper and other grades produced at the mill.

The highly efficient green liquor pulping technology from ANDRITZ will enable production of excellent pulp quality, high fiber yield as well as optimum interaction with the kraft pulp mill. 

ANDRITZ blow line refiner 1CP © ANDRITZ

The scope of supply comprises the main equipment for both fiberlines, featuring the following technological highlights:

• ANDRITZ continuous digester specifically designed for the semi-chemical pulping process 
• Medium-consistency blow line refiners, type 1CP, to defibrate and homogenize cooked chips at low specific energy
• 5-stage counter-current washing with highly efficient vacuum VT washers and ANDRITZ screw presses to achieve minimum loss in washing and lowest carry-over of detrimental substances

ANDRITZ will also provide the basic engineering as well as supervision of mechanical installation work, commissioning, and start-up.

Mr. Edmond Lee, CEO Lee & Man Paper, says: “We decided to focus on our own fresh fiber production as an alternative to imported kraft and recycled fiber pulp as raw materials. With the new fiberlines, we will become more self-sufficient in pulp imports and less vulnerable to market fluctuations. ANDRITZ’s operating experience with similar installations in recent years, especially the first and only installation of this kind in China, was the main driver for our decision.”

Established in 1994, Lee & Man Paper manufactures linerboards of various grades and corrugating medium of different specifications used for several industrial packaging purposes. The group owns five paper mills and one pulp factory in China as well as several production bases in Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries.

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. Plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning, recycling, and the production of nonwovens and panelboard complete the global product and service offering. Innovative products and services in the industrial digitalization sector are offered under the brand name Metris and help customers to make their plants more user-friendly, efficient and profitable. The publicly listed group has around 26,950 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides equipment, systems, complete plants and services for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on maximum utilization of raw materials, increased production efficiency and sustainability as well as lower overall operating costs. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, plants for the production of nonwovens and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various waste materials also form a part of this business area. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

 James Cropper, one of the world’s most innovative papermakers, has appointed Damian Cook as technical director for its paper division. 

Damian joins the Kendal-based business, which creates some of the world’s most advanced paper products, to lead its technical department. The team is responsible for research and development, field technical operations and product quality.  

Damian CookDamian will also oversee the on-site colour lab, which has the capability to match and recreate any colour from any source. The lab holds around 2,000 live shade recipes and an electronic archive of some 200,000 colours. 

With a strong focus on innovation and new product development, Damian brings a wealth of theoretical and practical experience. Having spent the past few years running his own consultancy business, Damian has previously held technical positions at a variety of organisations such as Elmwood Sensors Ltd, Honeywell International Inc, Draeger Safety UK Ltd and Parker-Hannifin Corporation. 

As the business looks to build on its innovations such as the PaperGard^TM anti-viral product protection for paper and its Rydal Collection, which includes 100% upcycled paper  options for premium packaging, Damian will be crucial in supporting value growth through new product development. 

James Cropper, managing director, Steve Adams, says: “Damian’s enthusiasm and passion for innovation and new product development is palpable. That, coupled with his experience in project management, research and development and marketing, makes him an ideal leader to help us accelerate our growth and deliver our business strategy effectively.” 

Damian will be based at the Cumbrian papermill in the English Lake District. Damian says: “Joining James Cropper, a world-class papermaker with an exceptional reputation for innovation, is an extremely exciting career move.   

“James Cropper has an incredible ability to pioneer and innovate, having created a series of unique paper and packaging solutions, including CupCycling™, the world’s first recycling process dedicated to upcycling coffee cups. It’s without doubt that this business is one to be excited by and proud to be part of.” 

Damian is also a volunteer business mentor for The Prince’s Trust as well as an accredited associate member of the Association of Coaching.  

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.   

With over  175 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.       

CupCycling^TM  

CupCycling is a technology innovated by James Cropper that extracts the polythene lining of disposable coffee cups, enabling them to be recycled and transformed into high-quality paper, packaging and stationery products. By working with retailers such as McDonald’s and Costa, James Cropper has implemented the infrastructure needed to collect single-use waste products and transform them into beautiful papers and packaging for the likes of Selfridges and Lush. Circular design is at the core of CupCycling. To date, James Cropper has recycled over 150 million coffee cups and has capacity to upcycle 500 million cups per year.   

Read more about the CupCycling^TM story here.  

In 2020, Sofidel added 120,000 tons a year to its production capacity in the USA with two Toscotec AHEAD 2.0L paper machines in 5,500 millimetre format with an operating speed of 2,000 metres a minute. Toscotec has delivered a turnkey product for the tissue-making area of Sofidel America’s integrated paper mill in Inola, Oklahoma. Since the launch of two new lines, Sofidel has been manufacturing premium quality tissue paper, in compliance with its rigorous quality standards, and has maintained a high level of operating efficiency, fully benefiting from the energy and environmental efficiency of Toscotec’s AHEAD lines, which feature the TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer and high energy recovery TT Hoods. In this interview, Simone Capuano, the Executive VP, Operations & Supply Chain, of Sofidel America Corp. discloses the strategy underpinning this investment and tells us what Sofidel has achieved so far at its Inola production base.

Sofidel America’s new integrated production base in Inola: what were the reasons for this expansion and for choosing Toscotec’s technology?

The construction of an integrated plant in Inola (Oklahoma) is an important part of the growth strategy that Sofidel has implemented in the USA since its arrival in the country in 2012. After Circleville (Ohio), this is the second greenfield investment of our Group in the USA, aimed at increasing our production capacity and our geographical coverage, which means having plants close to our customers - in this case, specifically, we are in the southern region - in order to improve our service and contain logistical costs. In this context, Toscotec was the right choice, because its technology is efficient both from the energy and environmental points of view, and because of the experience and flexibility they have gained in our sector.

Toscotec was your turnkey supplier for paper mill production on the Inola project. Was it helpful for you to have a single company as your reference point for this part of the supply?

Building a new paper mill from scratch is never an easy task, both for technical and organizational reasons. In Oklahoma, like everywhere else in the USA, we have been able to count on excellent collaboration from local institutions and partners. We certainly found it very helpful to have a single supplier as our contact for the paper mill production part, especially since part of the project was carried out in the first and most complicated stage of the COVID-19 emergency, with all the problems that implied.

Are you satisfied with Toscotec’s management at this time of global emergency?

Even though we had to face unpredictable and complicated situations, Toscotec's flexibility, contribution and spirit of collaboration have never been lacking. We appreciated their dedication and problem-solving skills.

Once Toscotec’s machines came on line, did you see an increase in the OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) compared to processing reels from other production sites, as you were doing before? Has converting efficiency improved? If yes, why?

Having an integrated plant has already improved production efficiency. Furthermore, the AHEAD 2.0L machines used on our lines represent a tried and tested technology that did not require any fine-tuning. As we expected, they were immediately found to be in line with the needs of our customers. The fact that we could count on reels with a larger diameter and constant quality has definitely allowed us to increase the efficiency of our converting lines.

What grades are you currently manufacturing on PM1 and PM2? What is your assessment of product quality?

The quality standard is high and meets our customers’ requirements and, at the same time, it allows us to achieve excellent performances at the plant in terms of energy efficiency and optimization of raw material use. This is in line with Sofidel's commitment to reconcile the market and consumption needs with those of sustainability. On the two machines, we are producing various grades both for toilet tissues, with particular attention to Super Soft papers, and kitchen towels.

Are you satisfied with the specific consumption of chemical products per ton of paper produced that is being recorded by the two machines?

Yes, we are also recording significant improvements in this area, although the optimizing of the entire system must continue.

Overall, how would you describe the cooperation with Toscotec?

A positive cooperation built on hard work and mutual commitment to continuous improvement.

Valmet and ARAUCO have signed an agreement to jointly develop the Arauco Mill Line 3 in Chile to become the world’s most autonomous pulp mill. Valmet will supply its Industrial Internet Solutions (VII Solutions) comprised of Mill Wide Optimization applications, advanced prediction and monitoring applications as well as expert services. The target is to improve the overall efficiency and profitability of the entire mill by coordinating and optimizing across process islands. The expert support is given both onsite and remotely through Valmet Performance Centers in South America and the Nordics.

The Arauco Mill Line 3, located in the Bio Bío Region in Chile, is currently being built as the MAPA project, a major investment to expand ARAUCO’s current pulp production capacity. As announced in 2018, Valmet delivers pulp drying and baling, recovery boiler and biomass boiler to the MAPA project.

“Since we started the MAPA project in 2011, we have wanted that the project represents a real contribution to the territory and is also in line with the environmental standards required today. From the beginning, this project comprised a broad investment program in technology, energy efficiency and big data, among others, which will make the processes much more efficient. Our partnership with Valmet represents another step in the sustainable development of the project. We believe that it is essential to have a world-class ally that guarantees the standards and the best technology available in the market today,” says Charles Kimber, Senior Vice President, People and Sustainability, ARAUCO.

“This is a true partnership, where we have jointly tailored the solution to best suit the ARAUCO’s needs. With this partnership it will be possible to maximize the production of the mill and move towards an autonomous mill. In this project we utilize our solid process and automation know-how and combine our strong local presence in South America with our global resources. Our common target with ARAUCO in the first phase is to secure successful commissioning of the MAPA project, fast start-up, ramp-up curve and improve the overall efficiency and profitability of the mill for the years to come,” says Félix Hernaiz, General Manager, Andes Region, Valmet.  

Valmet will supply Industrial Internet solutions for Arauco Mill Line 3 onsite and remotely from Valmet Performance Centers in South America and the Nordics.

Technical information about the agreement

The contract includes several Valmet Mill Wide Optimization applications which provide a completely new way to improve mill profitability. The Mill Wide Optimization applications use process flowsheet optimization to automate mill level decisions and coordinate process area actions by generating production and quality plans for each mill area to help increase production and reduce costs. Additionally, Valmet will deliver optimization, advanced monitoring and prediction applications for selected process areas focusing on the pulp dryer and power and recovery boilers. Optimizations are based on Valmet’s kappa, brightness and alkali analyzer measurements.

Valmet also delivers expert support onsite and remotely from Valmet Performance Centers in South America and the Nordics. A Valmet expert will be daily at the mill and Valmet specialists will visit the mill several times a year to evaluate the performance. A comprehensive Data Discovery service will be implemented during the five-year contract period.   

“This agreement combines Mill Wide Optimization, Advanced Process Controls (APC), analytical applications and remote services from Valmet Performance Center. We are using Valmet Customer Portal as our digital collaboration space to provide easy access to the advanced applications and the Valmet expert team,” says Jari Almi, Vice President, Industrial Internet, Valmet.

Valmet Industrial Internet solutions in a nutshell

In early 2020, Valmet introduced a full range of new, data-driven Industrial Internet solutions to pulp, board, paper, tissue and energy producers. The Valmet Industrial Internet (VII) solutions combine advanced monitoring and prediction applications, Advanced Process Controls (APC), dynamic process simulators and remote services from Valmet Performance Centers into comprehensive solutions that provide tangible benefits to customers.

The purpose is to efficiently utilize data and Valmet’s expertise to reduce energy consumption, improve chemical and environmental efficiency, optimize pulp and paper quality, increase process reliability, maximize production and enable efficient management of the customer’s equipment fleet.

About the customer ARAUCO

ARAUCO is a global forest product company. The company operates in the forestry, pulp, lumber, plywood, composite panels, millwork, and renewable energy businesses. The company has a revenue of about USD 5 billion. The company operates altogether 42 sawmills, panel mills and pulp mills in North America, South America, Europe and South Africa.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. 

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.  

Valmet's net sales in 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 14,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.   

Read more www.valmet.com

For further information, please contact:
Samuli Lehtonen, Director, Performance Optimization, Valmet, tel. +358 50 583 6281
Marcus Oliveira, Regional Sales Manager, South America, Valmet, tel. +55 15 997814768 

International technology Group ANDRITZ has been awarded orders from Nine Dragons Paper, China, to supply equipment and key process technologies for five of their mills.

Start-ups are scheduled for 2022 and 2023.

ANDRITZ white liquor plant © ANDRITZ

The scope of supply on EPS basis includes the following equipment:

• A white liquor plant with a capacity of 10,500 m³/d, including a recausticizing plant and an ANDRITZ LimeKiln. The recausticizing plant delivery includes a green liquor cooler, a LimeSlake slaker-classifier, three causticizer tank agitators, a drum filter for dregs handling, a LimeWhite filter for white liquor filtration to achieve high white liquor quality, and a LimeDry filter for efficient lime mud filtration to ensure high lime mud dryness and consequently a low heat consumption in the kiln. The ANDRITZ LimeKiln, with a capacity of 950 t/d burnt lime, will be equipped with a high-efficiency LimeCool sector cooler.
• A recausticizing plant with a capacity of 5,800 m³/d.
• Two ash re-crystallization (ARC) systems with ash handling capacities of 400 t/d and 200 t/d respectively, to treat the ash from the electrostatic precipitator by decreasing the chloride and potassium content while recovering sodium and sulphate.
• A recausticizing plant with a capacity of 5,800 m³/d.
• An ash re-crystallization (ARC) system with an ash handling capacity of 200 t/d to treat the ash from the electrostatic precipitator by decreasing the chloride and potassium content while recovering sodium and sulphate.
• Three recausticizing plants with a capacity of 2,500 m³/d each.

These orders once again confirm the excellent business relationship between ANDRITZ and Nine Dragons Paper.

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. Plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning, recycling, and the production of nonwovens and panelboard complete the global product and service offering. Innovative products and services in the industrial digitalization sector are offered under the brand name Metris and help customers to make their plants more user-friendly, efficient and profitable. The publicly listed group has around 26,950 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides equipment, systems, complete plants and services for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on maximum utilization of raw materials, increased production efficiency and sustainability as well as lower overall operating costs. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, plants for the production of nonwovens and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various waste materials also form a part of this business area. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

Valmet introduces the new Valmet Fiberline Analyzer to enable pulp makers to improve total pulp quality management, boost process stability and gain major savings in chemical costs from the digester blow line right up to final pulp storage.

The Valmet Fiberline Analyzer includes the major advances in measuring technology gained through four generations of Valmet Kappa Analyzers. It measures pulp lignin content and brightness in addition to enhanced fiber and shive property measurements using the latest high-definition imaging techniques. Measurement data from automatically extracted pulp samples, in addition to inline sensor information can be combined with real-time production targets to provide setpoints for chemical controls from the digester to final bleaching stages.

“This is the most robust analyzer solution we have ever developed for the pulp mills and it provides a very good basis for advanced process control,” says Kari Lampela, Business Manager, Automation business line, Valmet.

Valmet Fiberline Analyzer

Application specific measurements and controls

Built-in controls can provide external setpoints to the chemical dosage controllers using easily understood function blocks to perform filtering and calculations. For softwood pulps, the basic controller uses a Kappa factor control modified with predictive feedback taking Kappa/brightness, shive content and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) into account.

Valmet Fiberline Analyzer can also separately measure lignin and hexenuronic acid (HexA) to provide significantly improved control of the complex chemistry of cooking and delignification, especially with hardwood pulps. These measurement and control capabilities, coupled with the analyzer’s unique ability to accurately measure final brightness, close the loop for true fiberline process optimization and quality control.

User-friendliness and remote support

The analyzer requires minimal maintenance and features chemical based self-cleaning for trouble free operation. With the built-in touch screen display, all analyzer operating parameters, operating sequences and diagnostics together with operating instruction are all instantly available. Remote configuration and operation as well as Valmet Industrial Internet (VII) capabilities provide the possibilities of remote specialist support and assistance from Valmet around the world.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.  

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.  

Valmet's net sales in 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 14,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. 

Read more www.valmet.com

The new AHEAD 1.5S machine has a trim width of 2,850 mm, an operating speed of 1,850 m/min, and produces more than 30,000 tpy of premium quality tissue. The machine configuration is designed to guarantee top energy efficiency with TT NextPress shoe press design, TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer, and steam-heated TT Hood-Hybrid. 

The supply included the stock preparation equipment and accessories, the patented TT SAF (Short Approach Flow) system, the fiber recovery system, dust and mist removal systems, and a complete slitter rewinder line, with dedicated dust removal system. Toscotec also provided a comprehensive service package, including the tissue machine’s erection, erection supervision, commissioning, training and start-up assistance, as well as YES-CONNECT-VISION augmented reality solution for remote service. 

Torpong Thongcharoen, Managing Director of C.A.S. Paper Mill, said: “With this new line C.A.S. Group enters the tissue market. We are already producing high quality tissue, and we expect to kick off distribution very quickly. Throughout the entire project, including the hardest times during the pandemic, we always had a very good cooperation with Toscotec, who proved to be the experienced and skilled supplier we expected, managing the project with great flexibility and supporting us all the way to our target.”

Marco Dalle Piagge, Toscotec Sales Director, comments: “This start-up is a reward to us all for the hard work we put into this project in order to successfully complete it during Covid-19. This AHEAD line is designed to deliver top energy efficiency that results in low energy consumptions and low operating costs. C.A.S. Paper Mill is now fully equipped to enter the tissue market from an advantage position.”

About C.A.S. Paper Mill Co., Ltd. 
C.A.S. Paper Mill Co., Ltd is part of the Charoen Aksorn Holding Group (C.A.S. Group). Established in 1963, C.A.S. group is a well-established paper trading company in Thailand. In 2013, the Group acquired from Norske Skog (Thailand) a newsprint mill in operations since 1994, and it was named C.A.S. Paper Mill. The company operates a pulp and paper mill situated in Sing Buri, near Bangkok, Thailand.

For further information, please contact:
Gabriele Martinelli, Sales Manager, Toscotec Tissue division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Upgrade at Arauco Licancel Cellulose Plant will deliver increased response times and reliability, while enhancing flexibility for remote working

Global technology company ABB has been contracted by manufacturer of forest products, Arauco, to modernize its Licancel Cellulose Plant in Chile to deliver faster response times, greater cyber security, upgraded operator interfaces, enhanced process reliability and flexibility for remote working.

Arauco will continue to utilize ABB Ability™ System 800xA distributed control system (DCS) and extend its use as the foundation for all operations at the plant. This will be done in two key stages: updating the existing System 800xA to version 6.1 and migrating from older DCS Infi 90 systems to new process communication and termination units to modernize the communications, network and controllers.

Moving to an ABB Ethernet network will allow more flexibility with the control system, enabling remote working and reliability improvements.

This will support Arauco’s process improvement plans for Licancel, its 154,000 ton capacity plant for unbleached kraft pulp (UKP) cellulose located in the Licantén district of Maule region. Arauco is driving sustainable forest management and use of renewable sources across the country through local research and development into technologies to meet these aims.

Following detailed engineering studies, teams from ABB will collaborate with Arauco staff on site to complete the upgrade and system commissioning, resulting in a fully-migrated system and a platform fit for future adaptations and trends.

“This modernization marks a departure from technologies that have been in place since the 1990s,” said Jorge Mesa, Licancel Plant Manager, Arauco. “Having the new, improved distributed control system and applications in place will better equip us to facilitate tackling our additional technological development projects, and achieving our best ever process performance at Licancel.”

“The latest version 6.1 of the ABB Ability ™ System 800xA offers the advantage of improved security, performance and interaction,” said Julio Arellano, Service Group Leader of ABB’s Minerals and Pulp & Paper Plant in Chile. “Operators will be able to quickly identify and respond to faults using new tools and protocols on the modern graphical interface units. Compared to the previous infrastructure, there will be fewer control system uncertainties to overcome, allowing Arauco’s people to focus on what they do best.”

“This project builds on our existing and longstanding relationship with Arauco across its wood pulp and processing portfolio. The renewed activity with Licancel is testament to the quality and service of the original system, which served the plant for more than two decades. Arauco not only entrusted to us the technology involved, but also the integration process.”

ABB is working in more than 50 countries to provide its comprehensive portfolio of integrated digital solutions, automation and electrification systems, industry-focused products and services to help customers optimize all phases of the papermaking process. The company works across packaging, paper, tissue and pulp disciplines to help drive availability, performance, cost and quality improvements.

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

Process Automation: 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.