8th Paper Days 2022 in Niefern-Öschelbronn – Paper Technology of Tomorrow


Around 200 participants from 25 countries worldwide followed the invitation to the Paper Days from September 21 – 22. The focus of the conference was on presentations by top-class speakers on currently completed or ongoing Paper Technology projects. Experts and friends of the paper industry spent two informative, exciting and convivial days in Niefern-Öschelbronn.

Already for the 8th time and fitting to the 180th anniversary year Bellmer invited to the popular Paper Days in Niefern-Öschelbronn. Only real “Passion for Paper” makes this long tradition and the many long-standing partnerships on the customer and supplier side possible. The Paper Days concept convinces with a mixture of presentations by top-class experts from the field, interaction between the participants and intensive exchange. The topics of the presentations range from effective pulping, optimized sheet formation, gentle press concepts, efficient winding technology, energy savings thanks to improved air and disposal technology, and the sustainable importance of paper as a medium.

Overview of the technical presentations

15 external and top-class speakers reported on their Paper Technology projects. Stacy Higgins from WestRock Solvay (USA) focused on headbox technology. The TurboJetter supplied there impresses with its optimum values in the cross-profile and TSO areas. The 3D engineering carried out beforehand, the excellent production support, and the smooth installation and start-up guaranteed the rebuild a complete success.

Ashraf Nathani from Mehali Paper (IN) dedicated his presentation to the press section. Mehali is a leading manufacturer of coated recycled board with considerable exports. Considering the growing market for its products, the company decided to invest in a shoe press in March 2020. This project was completed in a short period of time and shows what a good partnership between supplier and buyer can achieve. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the project was realized with precise timing and the best result. Filip Stiborský and Helmut Riesenberger from Mondi (CZ) reported on the EcoVantage project – the conversion of their complete line in Steti to kraftliner. After an investment of 67 million euros, Mondi now has the first European paper machine for the production of specialty kraft papers from virgin and recycled fibers for carrier bags in the retail and online trade. The major project was successfully realized together with Bellmer. A TurboJetter headbox, the press section with TurboPress shoe press, Air & Steam Technology, and a new TurboReeler and TurboWinder winder are part of the scope of supply. After visiting a reference plant in Russia, the decision was made in favor of Bellmer; also to the delight of Filip Stiborský, who celebrated his birthday on the same day. With the TurboWinder, he thus got “an especially big birthday cupcake”, as his wish for a reliable and perfect winder was fulfilled with the Bellmer winder.

Paper is the future! In his presentation, Miika Hämäläinen reported on his contemporary and innovative company Cupbio Oy. A manufacturer of disposable cups that uses the innovative plastic-free, fully recyclable and compostable paperboard introduced by Kotkamills.

The entire range of paper as a product and the Bellmer TurboLine were thus illuminated. All Paper Days participants were united by their passion for paper production and the medium paper – “Passion for Paper”.

But paper did not only play a role in theory: In a joint painting workshop, individual works of art were created from it, which together created a completely new dynamic. The two days also included a Bellmer factory tour and a tour with wine tasting in the candlelit Unesco World Heritage Site Maulbronn Monastery. Good mood, delicious food, and colourful entertainment crowned the two days. We are looking forward to the next Paper Days 2024 – next time again in Finland…