ANDRITZ to rebuild Holmen paper machine for flexible production of book and packaging paper

This order follows Holmen Paper’s recent successful entry into the packaging market with an innovative lightweight corrugated board product. The rebuild of PM52 will enable Holmen Paper to increase the production of fluting for corrugated boxes. ANDRITZ will implement a sophisticated technology concept allowing to easily switch production between the different paper grades.

“The requirements for containerboard and book paper production are very different. Containerboard requires extremely high dewatering capacity and specific strength properties, while book paper needs excellent formation and homogeneous filler retention,” explains Gerald Steiner, ANDRITZ Vice President Paper and Board.

“The pilot trials convinced us that ANDRITZ’s solution perfectly meets our high requirements. It will give us the flexibility we need to increase production.,” says Ola Schultz-Eklund, Senior Vice President Technology at Holmen Group.

ANDRITZ will provide comprehensive services for the rebuild including engineering and installation. The scope of supply includes innovative key components for several sections of the paper machine to meet Holmen’s stringent quality requirements. The heart of the rebuild is the conversion of the existing former by using the patented ANDRITZ shoe blade forming technology for lowest MD/CD ratios. ANDRITZ will also supply a clothing package, an extension of the distributed control system and a dilution control automation package.

This order again confirms ANDRITZ’s strong position and expertise in challenging rebuild projects for innovative paper production.