In March 2021, Papresa, the leading southern European manufacturer of newsprint, commissioned Voith with the resource-efficient grade conversion of PM 5 from newsprint to testliner and corrugating medium at its Rentería mill in Spain. In March 2022, one year after the order was placed, the PM 5 successfully went into operation and will henceforth enable significantly more efficient and sustainable production of packaging papers. The production of newsprint will be maintained on the mill’s PM 6 machine.
Cutting-edge technology from Voith for the rebuilt PM 5
The capacity of the PM 5 is around 205,000 tons of testliner and corrugating medium per year at a design speed of 1,200 m/min. The production focus is on lightweight packaging grades between 65 and 140 g/m², the wire width is 5,900 mm, and the web width at the reel is 5,400 mm.
In addition to modifications in the approach flow system, the forming section was upgraded with a DuoFormer D including new dewatering elements. Voith also supplied the DuoShake shaking unit and a MasterJetPro F/B headbox with ModuleJet I dilution water technology.
To ensure the capacity increase of the paper machine, the existing press section was extended with a NipcoFlex shoe press and thus converted to a DuoCentri NipcoFlex press. New EvoSteel steel cylinders with higher steam pressure in the last two dryer groups of the pre-dryer section are also part of the scope of supply. A film press with a subsequent new after-dryer section also increases the quality of the final paper.
Furthermore, the existing reel for more efficient reel spool changes has been expanded with the EcoChange W turn-up system. Finally, the scope of delivery also includes a comprehensive fabrics package for the PM 5.
"With Voith, we had a long-standing technology partner on our side for the conversion of PM 5, one that knows our plant and requirements inside out and has extensive experience in sustainable paper machine rebuilds," says Miguel Sánchez, President and CEO of Papresa. "Voith's expertise and many years of close cooperation have paid off – both the conversion and the start-up went smoothly and to our full satisfaction."
State-of-the-art Papermaking 4.0 technologies for effective production
In addition to the grade conversion, Papermaking 4.0 tools and comprehensive services support the company's ambitious efficiency and sustainability goals. The digitalization package includes the IIoT platform OnCumulus, the advanced process visualization OnView.MassBalance and process control OnEfficiency.Strength as well as remote maintenance solutions with OnPerformance.Lab. With the individual and extensive package, Papresa benefits from maximum plant efficiency and better paper quality.
"With our know-how, innovative components and cutting-edge digital technology, we ensure that Papresa achieves its efficiency and productivity goals with less investment," says Marcos Garcia de la Torre, Managing Director Voith Paper Spain. “At the same time, we are strengthening our position as the preferred partner for rebuilds and customer-specific optimization projects.”