As well as the entire stock preparation unit from feed-in of the recovered paper to the finished stock, the scope of supply also includes the complete design of the line and its measuring, control and instrumentation systems. Voith had already provided Papierfabrik Palm with support during the conceptual and approval phase for the new build project.

The stock preparation unit will produce 2,200 metric tons of stock per day. A precondition for the high quality of the product is an extremely clean furnish. At the same time, the company laid particular emphasis on achieving a sustainable, environmentally compatible paper production process. With its BlueLine concepts, Voith has already realized systems all around the world that achieve a maximum yield of high quality stock with low energy consumption and therefore meet the requirements imposed by Palm. The latest examples of these are the stock preparation lines for packaging papers at Leipa in Schwedt, at Hamburger Rieger Containerboard in Spremberg or at Propapier in Sandersdorf-Brehna.

The expansion of the stock preparation line at the Aalen-Neukochen plant in 2018 has also been designed and installed by Voith.

Voith BlueLine EcoProcess

The design of the stock preparation line is based on the EcoProcess developed by Voith. The comprehensively tried and tested solution allows for an energy-optimized machine configuration. EcoProcess combines a strict counterflow principle with smart water cycle separation. In conjunction with water management across all systems, this results in a controlled discharge of dissolved and colloidal impurities with low water consumption. A cutting-edge, flexible long fiber screening concept, minimal solids content in the inlet to the waste water treatment facility and a special additional preparation line for largely clean recovered paper will result in high fiber yield and minimal waste volume. At the same time, the EcoProcess concept provides the basis for a stable paper manufacturing process and thus a consistently high product quality.

IntensaPulper and IntegraScreen components for efficiency and sustainability

For Palm and Voith, sustainability and efficiency were the key factors when choosing the individual components. For example, thanks to its optimized machine housing, the IntegraScreen ensures consistent flow and pressure conditions around the screen, which results in high contaminant separation efficiencies. An additional reject dilution step and the integration of an external reject recirculation to the machine reduces thickening of the reject and increases fiber yield.

The IntensaPulper ensures efficient yet energy-saving pulping. Thanks to the combination of a special vat geometry and the asymmetric arrangement of the rotor, the internal flow pattern of the IntensaPulper converts the flow energy into pulping performance. As a result, energy savings of up to 20 percent can be achieved. String-free disposal of contaminants from the pulper is ensured thanks to the IntensaMaXX, which was specially developed for this application.

The HiClean HCL5-I cleaner is another addition to the range of energy-efficient components in the stock preparation line. Smooth interior surfaces and a flow-optimized head piece enable maximum separation efficiencies in this technology developed by Voith. The patented EcoMizer reject dilution allows high reject concentrations at low overflow rates. As a result, the HiClean HCL5-I cleaner can work reliably and efficiently with high stock densities of up to three percent. The effect of this high intake stock consistency is a low energy consumption.

Palm is one of the leading companies in the European paper industry. The Palm Group is divided into Papierfabrik Palm with its 5 paper mills for the manufacture of paper and Palm Packaging Group with 26 plants for the manufacture of corrugated board. The third pillar of our operations, which encompasses the purchasing of raw materials for all our papers and corrugated boards made from 100% recycled paper are joined under the umbrella of Palm Recycling consisting of two recycling companies. www.palm.de