Pulp Paper & Logistics


PRODUCTS & SERVICES 27


Paper makers could save costs with a switch to LPG


using outdated off-mains energy sources, according to recent report funded by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) supplier Flogas. The sector spends £43 million a


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year on oil for its heating, lighting and manufacturing processes. And although oil prices are falling, the industry could save more – by another £31 million – by switching to LPG.


This is because some companies who are unable to access mains energy are using old-fashioned supplies like oil. By switching to LPG, the sector


could reduce its energy costs on fuel alone by more than £9 million, a saving of 22 per cent. This saving rises to almost £12


million when the oil burning equipment is replaced by the more fuel efficient LPG burners, giving a total saving of up to 27 per cent when compared to oil. The benefits of changing fuels


aren’t just financial: there are also huge environmental benefits too as the switch to LPG can lead to a massive reduction in the sector’s carbon footprint. The figures are revealed in the ‘Flogas Energy Expenditure


Report’, a piece of research initially carried out by Flogas to provide background information for its sales teams. However, the company was so shocked by the findings, it decided to share them with the sector as a whole. As the market leaders at


converting off-mains businesses from oil to LPG, Flogas are well aware of customer perceptions. Commenting on the findings, Lee Gannon, managing director of


he British paper manufacturing sector wastes a up to £12 million each year by


Flogas, said: “We initially carried out the research purely for internal purposes, but after seeing the figures, we felt the only responsible action was to share them with the industry. These are figures that everyone needs to see. Times are still tough, and there is a greater need than ever for businesses to reduce their energy costs and cut carbon emissions. “We find the biggest reasons


that businesses burn oil is a lack of awareness that there is a cheaper, greener alternative, or because they are under the misconception that switching is expensive or difficult. By sharing these figures we hope to help the sector make savings, while at the same time making a large dent in their carbon footprint.” More information from Flogas at www.flogas.co.uk


Better box labels with energy savings from Taiwan


Taiwan-based corrugated cardboard box machine manufacturer Champion Machinery has improved its equipment to enable its customers to make cost savings while improving the quality of their products. Champion says that many


companies now print their logos, product names, and even product specifications on the outside of the corrugated cardboard boxes they use, and if the box’s exterior surface deteriorates or becomes damaged or deformed, the artwork can lose its appeal and important information may become obscured or lost. Making millions of boxes with a uniform surface is not easy, adds


Champion: when paper is heated or cooled, the degree of humidity in the air can lead to unevenness in the cardboard and even cause a deterioration in quality, which can not only cause the corrugated surface to change but may also even lead to a loss in the functionality of the box in protecting the contents. Champion has launched three


new and important changes to its machinery and systems that it says will bring increased ease and savings to its customers. It has reduced the temperature in


its process from 170 to 150 deg C and the vapour pressure by a third (from 2.5 to 1.65 ton-steam/10,000 m²), reducing energy consumption. A traditional machine takes


about 12 people to operate, but Champion’s new machine requires only eight. With each production line capable of producing 30 meters of corrugated product per minute, production capacity has also increased by a third With traditional machines


that require higher temperature and pressure, warping of the corrugated surface and broken scoring lines often occur during the winter. In addition, during the rainy season, traditional production lines face challenges because of the extra moisture absorbed by the cardboard, which weakens the cardboard’s edges. Normally, the raw paper’s density (gsm) must be increased by about 3 percent


of the total original paper weight to compensate for this weakness. With Champion’s low temperature, low pressure system, problems like these can be avoided, it is said. Furthermore, in traditional


production lines, the original paper roll shrinks about 0.8 percent in both length and width due to temperature changes during the conversion process. Champion claims that with the new production process, there is less paper width waste, reducing paper usage by up to 5.8 percent. More information from Champion Machinery at: www.tw-champion. com/ or contact George Hui by telephone at 886-2-27356006 ext. 162.


January/February 2015


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