Toscotec and Essity have completed the world’s first tissue machine that runs entirely on geothermal steam. This new machine is located at their Kawerau site in New Zealand. The goal is to help the tissue industry shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
The rebuilt tissue machine, called PM3, has lowered carbon emissions by replacing natural gas burners with a geothermal drying system. This upgrade also increased production and improved the quality and variety of tissue products.
The PM3 machine was rebuilt through a partnership between Toscotec and Essity. Toscotec provided a complete TT SAF Short Approach Flow system, a new TT Headbox, and made changes to the forming and press sections. The drying section was also completely updated.
In the drying area, Toscotec installed a new TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer and a steam-heated TT Hood. Both are powered by geothermal steam taken directly from underground. The air system uses Toscotec’s TT Swing technology, which can easily switch between two modes depending on production needs. The rebuild also included new doctor blades and an improved tail-threading system for the machine’s post-dryer section.
In other news, last year Srisangdao Rice created a die-formed box made from the chaff left over in rice production. This box is designed to be reused as a tissue box. Information such as lot numbers is printed directly on the rice sack inside the box.
In April, JUNG invested in HP’s Indigo 200K digital printing press. This press helps save time and reduce setup costs for short-run and customizable tissue paper and gift wrap collections. It also supports faster delivery times and allows quick responses to new product launches and market trends. Customers benefit because they do not need to order large volumes.
