(Jelena Gora, Poland, December 05 2016) A modern hydraulic headbox as a cost effective way to enhance PM performance
The Pulp & Paper industry is directly impacted by global megatrends. Papermakers have responded reasonably well to the business challenges by becoming more efficient. The use of highly advanced technological solutions such as multi-layerhydraulic headboxes, shoe presses and film sizers increasingly becoming a requirement. The main goal of this article is to share with you PMP’s global experiences in achieving premium paper properties, while applying modern hydraulic headboxes.
When papermakers seek out opportunities to improve basis weight profile, sheet formation, fibre orientation, productivity improvements or better paper strength properties, they are encouraged to take a refined look at the headbox currently installed on their papermaking line. Despite the fact that the headbox is only one piece at the beginning of the process, its impact on a global project is not to be underestimated.
MARKET REQUIREMENTS WITH REFERENCE TO PAPER QUALITY
How do global market trends influence the development of paper machines? To help illustrate this point, let’s examine three big countries with a range of consumer demand: the U.S., China, and Russia. In the growing tissue sector, local consumers determine the level of product quality. When GDP and disposable income growth are observed, the demand for tissue predictably increases in both volume and quality. Projects in this sector in emerging markets are focused on replacing old machines with new ones (EcoEc type). This trend is particularly prevalent in China and Russia. In more mature markets, such as that of the U.S., most projects are focused on sophisticated rebuilds with installation of multilayer headboxes (2,3,4). In these markets, modern formers are already a standard, so producers are focused on implementing the highest possible product quality solution, with an optimum web structure.
In graphic papers, demand has been decreasing in mature U.S. and European markets. Papermakers in these regions are acutely focused on cost optimization and PM runnability improvement. Many of them are seeking universal solutions to produce paper suitable for both colour ink jet and colour laser jet printers (2 in 1 or dual purpose), a requirement driven by the modern office, which is typically equipped with both types of printers. The demand is clear – to have repeatable performance (no jams in printers) and stable quality (excellent colour reproduction). The key to success is to start with correct fibre orientation to avoid paper diagonal curl during the printing process. Excellent formation provided by a properly designed headbox will help greatly to reproduce consistent shape sharpness and brilliant colour. Rebuilds of graphic paper machines are applied within the wet end with special attention directed to headboxes.
Unlike the maturing graphic paper, the containerboard sector has been developing and incrementally on all continents. The basis weight of containerboard is decreasing annually by 1-2 gsm, especially in Western Europe and the U.S. Despite the trend towards a lower basis weight, in many cases the expectation for the same or even higher sheet strength is expected. A push on behalf of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) producers to optimize distribution and handling costs of ready-made products is a key driver of this trend. The whole supply chain must be optimized and the container box cost to performance ratio is an object of intense focus. The expectation is clear – the cost of packaging in the whole supply chain must be reduced (cost of the box, its efficiency to pack more in one common pallet, the maximum number of pallets per truck and disposable issues). Additionally, an attractive box appearance is increasingly important as more and more boxes are used for shelf-ready display in retail stores. High printability quality is critical when seeking to influence consumer’s choices. For papermakers the challenges are clear: lower containerboard production costs, an ability to provide higher containerboard performance and improved printability.
In Europe, this trend is fuelling the strong growth of Kraft Top liners. …
To read complete article Go To: http://www.paperadvance.com/mills-a-technologies/process-optimization/6563-how-to-effectively-improve-paper-quality.html (Source: PMP via paperadvance.com)
Cover Image courtesy PMP