AFT will work with Essity Kawerau mill to determine the best MiniSegment patterns for hardwood and softwood quality development and optimized energy efficiency.
Jan 22, 2025
Essity, leading Swedish manufacturer of sustainable tissue papers, has successfully started two MaxEdge™ refiners on its PM2 tissue paper machine at Kawerau mill in New Zealand.
Kawerau mill is Sweden’s sole producer of toilet tissue paper and paper towels, focused on reducing its energy use and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
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The refiners were supplied by global technology provider AFT. The company was selected to replace the refiners on PM2’s hardwood and softwood kraft lines with two new MaxEdge150 disc refiners. Designed for quick segment changes and ease of maintenance, the MaxEdge refiner is built to deliver exceptional performance and efficiency for all low consistency refining applications.
Its unique design features include customized Finebar® MiniSegments™ for optimum quality development at lower energy, and up to three times longer life than conventional refiner plates.
In addition to supplying the refining equipment and wear parts, AFT provided basic engineering and start-up support to ensure mechanical and process operating targets. The scope of this project also included AFTLinx™ diagnostic service to optimize refiner productivity and performance.
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As a technology partner, AFT will work with the mill to determine the best MiniSegment patterns for hardwood and softwood quality development and optimized energy efficiency. The project will enable the Kawerau mill to continue developing high quality tissue paper grades in a sustainable way.
