Toscotec’s AHEAD 2.0 line, which first began production in 2015, is now the first tissue machine in the world to operate entirely on electricity at 2,000 m/min.
Apr 8, 2025
Portuguese tissue manufacturer Fortissue and Toscotec have started up PM1 after a groundbreaking upgrade at their Viana do Castelo production base in Portugal. This Toscotec-supplied AHEAD 2.0 line, which first began production in 2015, is now the first tissue machine in the world to operate entirely on electricity at 2,000 m/min.
Watch: In Pursuit of Lesser Water Footprint
After 10 years of efficient operations, this high-performance machine has been fully upgraded to achieve the target of more sustainable tissue production. Toscotec has installed a fully electrical air system including e-powered TT Hood with multiple stages of heat recovery.
Based on the specific production needs, TT Swing ensures maximum flexibility by offering different operation modes from full cascading to hybrid (with heated air only in the wet section). TT Turbodryer harnesses the heat recovered from the air system to improve the shoe press de-watering effect and increase post-press dryness.
Finally, the new e-powered TT SteamBooster generates 100 percent of the steam necessary for the TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer by recovering the heat present in the hood’s exhaust air together with high-efficiency electric steam generation.
Also Read: India’s Grasim Industries Limited to Get New Bleach Plant, Evaporation and Wash Plant Rebuild
The energy needed for PM1’s operation comes entirely from electricity. The mill has the option of getting power from the Portuguese grid or using 100 percent renewable energy coming from its solar and wind systems. The associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions amount to minus 20 percent in case the tissue line operates from the grid, and net zero GHG emissions when it runs on renewable energy both for its electric and thermal needs.
