As a first step the folding boxboard mill will replace the current press by a new shoe press. The infrared installation used to dry the cartonboard will be upgraded at the same time. This will result in higher production efficiency and lower gas consumption. “This is the first step in a multi-year investment process to modernise the mill and make it more sustainable”, says Otto van Beers, managing director of Folding Boxboard Eerbeek. To accommodate the press replacement, from 13 September 2022, production at Folding Boxboard Eerbeek will be stopped for a month.
The Eerbeek mill produces cartonboard for the food, personal care and pharma sector. This means it has to meet the highest quality requirements, which is why pure wood pulp is used as raw material. The press section is an essential part of the entire production process. It ensures as much water as possible is squeezed out of the cartonboard prior to the drying process.
New, state-of-the-art shoe press
The current press equipment section has reached the end of its technical life and will be completely replaced by a state-of-the-art shoe press. The investment will deliver better performance and increased efficiency for the pressing process. At the same time, the infrared burners used to dry the cartonboard will be upgraded. This yields approximately 5% savings on the use of natural gas.
Technically and logistically challenging operation
The stop of production will last between 25 to 30 days but of course, customers have already been informed well in advance. Intensive coordination and early deliveries will ensure that our packaging customers have sufficient stocks, even while production is temporarily stopped. The Eerbeek employees will temporarily stop their normal day-to-day activities and focus on replacement and maintenance work instead. In addition, to get the press replacement done, another 250 to 300 employees of international, regional and local companies will be working at the FOLBB folding boxboard mill in Eerbeek.
Investing in modernisation and sustainability
The FOLBB Group has a dominant position in the European market for GC2 folding carton and is located in the heart of Europe, right in the middle of its customers with production sites in Eerbeek (NL) and Baiersbronn (GER). In July 2021, the FOLBB Group has been acquired by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. “Our current owner actively supports investments in the modernisation and sustainability of our board mill in Eerbeek over the coming years”, says FOLBB Group CEO Daniel Wiktorin. “The modernisations and improvements we are announcing today involve an investment of several millions. The multi-year investment program comprises a series of major investments to be made over the next years.”