Graphic paper manufacturer Les Papeteries de Clairefontaine started up its paper machine PM 6 at its Etival mill in France after completing the dryer section rebuild.
According to engineering company Toscotec which carried out the rebuild, the machine produces woodfree uncoated paper in basis weights from 60 to 100 g/m².
The project was focused on PM 6’s pre-dryer section for which Toscotec supplied new dryers, as well as an upgrade of the machine frame. The goal was to increase the machine's drying face length without changing the overall width of the machine frame, Toscotec said.
Clairefontaine operates three paper mills in France and one in the Netherlands. At the Etival site, the company operates two machines with a total capacity of 170,000 tpy of woodfree uncoated paper.
Last spring, the company started its green energy investment project at the Etival site. The company will rebuild the existing cogeneration power plant and replace an existing gas boiler with a new biomass-fuelled boiler in order to further decarbonise paper production. Commissioning of the new boiler is scheduled for the end of next year.
