16 VALMET


sped up the coating definition with an opportunity to test different ingredients and different coating amounts.” Now that the coating machine is up and running, the benefits of the pilot trials are clear. Sergio Alonso, production manager of PM10 & OMC at SAICA, explains: “Now we are only fine-tuning the machine. The pilot trials ensured the very first rolls were of high quality.” The first high-quality rolls were


produced by the new coating machine before the end of January 2018.


Clear targets The main idea at the beginning was to replace the white fibres with something else to save on costs and improve the appearance of the final paper. There were also other targets, as Compaired reveals: “One target of this project was to increase our product range, as we had a lack


of coated grades. We wanted to offer our customers a wide range of products made from recycled raw material. The process we developed is one of the most innovative in the world in the recent years.” Using only brown fibre requires


quite a lot from coating. “We wanted to have a wider range of products, to have more flexibility


“The paper had better brightness. It was totally even, with none of the impurities that usually result from recycled fibres,” says Federico Asensio


in the market,” says Compaired. “The coverage is very good, too. It is the main reason why we are not using a white layer of fibres. The very first day that we were coating, the appearance of the paper was excellent – much better than white top liners,” says Alonso about the importance of the even coverage of curtain coating and the good results of the project. In May 2018, SAICA launched its new Infinite collection of high-quality 100 per cent recycled white papers.


OMC Superintendent Javier Garcia Muñoz from SAICA: “This new coating machine has met the requirements for us in the coating process. The most important pieces are the supply system, the coating head applicators, and the air dyer system. And all of them have been running very well and efficiently. In my opinion, SAICA choose Valmet because of the technology.”


January/February 2019


More than they bargained for The results were much better than expected. “After some trials, there was a moment in the research project when we realised that the behaviour of the new grade was completely different to the


ones we wanted to replace,” says Asensio. “The paper had better brightness. It was totally even, with none of the impurities that usually result from recycled fibres. There were no minor defects of coloured fibres, black spots, or changes in other colour variables. But the most important property was the enhanced brightness of the paper, and the lightness and intensity of the printing colours. The colours appeared glossier.” Asensio explains more about the development phase: “With standard white top testliners, you cannot control the three variables of whiteness. With this new way to produce the paper, we could control those with each parent roll. We managed to supply the market with products that add real value. It is a big advantage to have a very good-looking box at


Pulp Paper & Logistics


We were about to do something nobody else had done before. We knew that Valmet wanted to make this project fly


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