WEPA Group, Germany, reports that it will invest to expand and modernize its mills and plants across Europe. Included is a new tissue machine this year at the Piechowice mill in Poland, with a total capacity of 32,000 metric tpy. WEPA said that it will optimize existing logistics structures of all of its European sites, enhancing the competitiveness of the entire group. The number of employees at the Piechowice mill will increase from the current 380 to a total of more than 400.

Toscotec, Italy, has been selected to supply the new tissue machine. After an investment of more than EUR 35 million during the past five years, another approximate EUR 30 million will be spent on construction of the new machine and associated buildings. The scope of supply for the new tissue machine includes a stock preparation system for virgin pulp, an AHEAD 2.0S tissue machine, various auxiliary units, electrification, and control system with the best technology currently available in the market.

The machine will have a single layer headbox, double press configuration, a steel yankee cylinder TT SYD-15FT, a Toscotec Milltech hood, and a mist and dust removal system. Full engineering, construction and construction supervision, as well as training, startup ,and commissioning are included in the Toscotec service package.

The new tissue machine is designed to operate at 2,200 m/min. at a working width of 2.8 meters. The new plant will, among others, produce high quality, super soft toilet paper and will be able to handle virgin pulp as well as recycled fiber as a raw material.

The new tissue machine is scheduled to start up in the first quarter of 2017.