The priorities for the German specialty paper manufacturer were the flexible production of various qualities of thermal and packaging papers combined with high machine efficiency and quality over the entire basis weight range. In addition, the machine needed to be particularly energy efficient, i.e. use less power, water and steam. XcelLine meets both these criteria thanks to its perfectly matched components.

The chosen paper machine concept combines the latest Voith technology for headbox, former and press section to guarantee optimum CD profiles, excellent fiber orientation with ideal dewatering capacity, and high efficiency.

The centerpiece of the dryer section will be a welded Yankee cylinder with a diameter of more than 7,000 mm. This equipment does a great deal to achieve the premium qualities necessary to satisfy the stringent quality requirements of August Koehler. For further finishing, there are different coaters and a soft-nip calender in the paper machine.

The multi-layer coating for differentiating the premium paper qualities is realized with the offline coating machine SM 8, which is fitted with ultra-modern coating equipment and offers non-contacting, gentle drying with high thermal efficiency. The final smoothing of the specialty papers is done using an innovative calendaring concept with downstream Sirius reel. In addition, Voith will supply the basic and detail engineering for Line 8.

With this project, Koehler and Voith are continuing their longstanding successful collaboration. Koehler and Voith have effectively pooled their extensive technological expertise to make this one of the most efficient specialty paper machines in the world.

The name Koehler is a byword for high-quality specialty papers in the segments thermal papers, carbonless papers, fine papers, technical specialty papers, colored papers, decor papers and mechanical pulp board. With a consolidated turnover of around 800 million euros and sales of 500,000 metric tons of paper, Koehler is one of the few independent family-owned German companies in the paper industry with a history stretching back 210 years. At four locations, the company's head office in Oberkirch and paper mills in Kehl, Greiz and Weisenbach, a highly motivated workforce of more than 1,800 people produces paper using state-of-the-art technology.