For its second Technical Day of the year, held on June 24 in Épinal (Eastern France), the Technical Association of the Paper Industry (ATIP) chose to address a fundamental aspect of papermaking: pulp preparation technologies, specifically regarding the wet end and press section. The event highlighted the importance of these technologies in achieving high-quality finished products and underscored their significant impact on key areas such as energy efficiency, environmental performance, and competitiveness. Following a welcome update from Copacel on regulatory developments (specifically EUDR and PFAS regulations), suppliers’ companies presented their latest innovations and market outlooks: the Centre Technique du Papier (CTP), Sensorik, Röchling, BTG, ABB (L&W), Techpap, Valmet, and AFT. CTP provided an update on boosting productivity in paper and board recycling mills by controlling water circuit acidification. Sensorik outlined the importance of accurate moisture measurement throughout the stock preparation process to enhance production efficiency and save energy. Röchling described the benefits of its Eco-jet system in reducing the water consumption associated with cleaning forming fabrics. CTP presented its ClipIndus process, designed to separate, concentrate, and refine fines within a fiber suspension to enhance the mechanical properties of Corrugated Case Material (CCM). Meanwhile, BTG outlined its approach to optimizing process stability through advanced instrumentation and continuous analysis. ABB (L&W) also highlighted the productivity and cost-saving benefits of accurate online measurement of fiber morphology and drainage. Meanwhile, Techpap—a CTP subsidiary—presented its “Toolbox,” a suite of sensors enabling improved fiber characterization. Finally, Valmet provided an update on its latest developments in stock preparation control technologies (refining and screening), while AFT showcased the advantages of its POM concept for Approach Flow System.
In total, representatives from 15 paper companies attended the event: Ahlstrom, Cartonnerie Lacaux (CGW Packaging), Cartonnerie Oudin, Fregata Hygiène, Norske Skog Golbey, Papeteries de Clairefontaine, Papeteries Palm, RYAM, Saica, Sofidel, Sterimed, Papeteries de Vizille, VPK Paper, Rossmann, and Zuber Rieder (Fedrigoni Group).
The day before, participants also had the opportunity to tour Norske Skog Golbey’s new PM 1, which was converted from newsprint production to CCM. Launched about a year ago, this Voith machine boasts a capacity of 550,000 tonnes per year. A feature article on this mill will appear in the issue No. 403 (June-July) of our Magazine, La Papeterie.
VALÉRIE LECHIFFRE
Photo/Valérie Lechiffre
