ANDRITZ successfully starts up Europe’s largest MG paper machine at Zellstoff Pöls, Austria

The ANDRITZ PrimeLine MG plant produces environmentally friendly MG paper for flexible packaging and release applications at the Pöls location.

With an annual capacity of 100,000 t, a design speed of 1,400 m/min. and a working width of 5.4 m, PM3 is setting a new benchmark in the production of these paper grades. The unique machine design enables the production of grades with low basis weight and highest strength with good printability and smoothness levels.

In terms of production and final product quality, PM3 exceeded all expectations right away in the first four weeks after start-up. The design capacity was achieved in stable operation within three months, and the majority of paper grades with basis weights between 22 and 52 g/m² were produced successfully.

The heart of the PrimeLine MG paper machine is the PrimeDry MG Steel Yankee, which is the largest of its kind worldwide with a diameter of 24 feet (7.315 m). ANDRITZ is thus breaking its own world record for size, established in 2013 when PM2 was started up successfully in Pöls with a 22-foot Yankee.

ANDRITZ supplied all process technologies, including the stock preparation line and approach flow system. One of the key components is the new ANDRITZ Vertical Screw Thickener (VST), which dewaters the pulp efficiently from a consistency at inlet of 3% to between 25 and 30% at the outlet.

Jürgen Rieger, Production Manager at Zellstoff Pöls AG, confirms, “We were very impressed with start-up and the first few months in operation that followed, just as we were with start-up of PM2 by ANDRITZ in 2013. Commencing operations ahead of schedule with a plant of this complexity is really exceptional.” Siegfried Gruber, overall Project Manager for PM3 adds: “Collaboration with the team from ANDRITZ was excellent, and this was also reflected in the outstanding PM3 start-up curve.”

Besides full responsibility for the technology, the ANDRITZ scope of supply also included the automation equipment, all process pumps, an extensive range of services, and the entire basic and detail engineering.

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ANDRITZ GROUP
ANDRITZ is an international technology group providing plants, systems, equipment, and services for various industries. The company is one of the technology and global market leaders in the hydropower business, the pulp and paper industry, the metal working and steel industries, and in solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial segments. Other important fields of business are animal feed and biomass pelleting, as well as automation, where ANDRITZ offers a wide range of innovative products and services in the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) sector under the brand name of Metris. In addition, the company is active in power generation (steam boiler plants, biomass power plants, recovery boilers, and gasification plants) and environmental technology (flue gas and exhaust gas cleaning plants) and offers equipment for the production of nonwovens, dissolving pulp, and panelboard, as well as recycling plants.

ANDRITZ stands for passion, partnership, perspectives and versatility – core values to which the company is committed. The listed Group is headquartered in Graz, Austria. With almost 170 years of experience, approximately 29,600 employees, and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries worldwide, ANDRITZ is a reliable and competent partner and helps its customers to achieve their corporate and sustainability goals.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper is a leading global supplier of complete plants, systems, equipment, and comprehensive services for the production and processing of all types of pulp, paper, board, and tissue. The technologies cover processing of logs, annual fibers, and waste paper; production of chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, and recycled fibers; recovery and reuse of chemicals; preparation of paper machine furnish; production of paper, board, and tissue; sizing, calendering and coating of paper; as well as treatment of reject materials and sludge. The service offering includes system and machine modernization, rebuilds, spare and wear parts, on-site and workshop services, optimization of process performance, maintenance and automation solutions, as well as machine relocation and second-hand equipment. Biomass, steam and recovery boilers for power production, gasification and flue gas cleaning plants, systems and plants for the production of nonwovens and absorbent hygiene products, dissolving pulp, and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various waste materials also form a part of this business area.