Kadant Solutions, Auburn, Mass., USA, a division of Kadant Inc., this week announced the expansion of manufacturing capacity for its new CeraEdge™ creping blade line used in tissue manufacturing. The additional production equipment, located in Auburn, allows for a quick turnaround time of ceramic-tipped blades compared with bringing the product in from Kadant’s European-based blade production facility, and also provides increased flexibility for producing doctor blades with special characteristics for unique applications.

The new CeraEdge ceramic-tipped creping blade product line utilizes a thermal spray blade edge that provides high-end creping performance to extend operating life and produce exceptional bulk (tissue softness). According to Jerry Vandoros, product manager at Kadant Solutions, "these blades are critical to the tissue manufacturing process. Being able to manufacture the CeraEdge blades in the U.S. allows us to quickly and efficiently serve our customers. This means on-time deliveries, lower shipping costs, and easier inventory management. Just as important, the equipment we have installed is state of the art and the best technology available, which produces a high quality product that performs extremely well."

Kadant Solutions is a supplier of doctor blades, doctor blade holders, and doctoring systems for papermaking and other industrial processes. The division’s water management products are applied to the cleaning of forming and press fabrics and the filtration of process water. Kadant Inc. is a global supplier of components and engineered systems used in process industries worldwide. The company’s products, technologies, and services play an integral role in enhancing process efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in resource-intensive industries. Kadant had revenues of $402 million in 2014 and 2,000 employees in 18 countries worldwide.