Andritz, Austria, has successfully started up a Papillon refiner for Sofidel in Lancaster, U.K. The new LC-refiner is part of a major upgrade project of the stock preparation equipment and tissue machine at Sofidel’s mill in Lancaster.

The aim of Sofidel's upgrade project was to increase the production capacity of the tissue production line and to improve the final product quality. Andritz’s many years of experience in LC-refining and the very short delivery time of just seven weeks were decisive for Sofidel in placing the order with Anditz. The new machine is the fourth Papillon refiner installed in the Sofidel Group.

 

The Papillon cylindrical refiner has been successful on the market for 15 years and has proven its fiber development capability in tissue production lines as well as in specialty paper applications. Proven advantages of the Papillon refiner concept are:

• Improved fiber development when compared with conventional refiners
• Enhanced paper properties and reduced energy consumption for the papermaking process
• Reduction of more than 40% in no-load power consumption compared with similar-sized conventional refiners.

The Sofidel Group is one of the world market leaders in the production and conversion of tissue paper for hygienic and domestic use, such as toilet paper, napkins, kitchen paper, facials, and handkerchiefs. From its headquarters in Porcari (Lucca), Italy, Sofidel coordinates the activities of 20 companies located in 13 countries throughout Europe and the U.S. which produce more than one million tons of paper per year.