After a comprehensive rebuild by Valmet (Finland), the rebuilt paper machine PM 6 at VPK Paper's Oudegem mill in Belgium has been successfully started up. The rebuild in the forming, drying, and reeling sections will boost PM 6's production capacity from approximately 185,000 metric tpy to some 200,000 metric tpy of high quality packaging grades. 

The rebuild was executed in the spring of 2016, with 148 workers on site during 11 days. Safety is top priority in Valmet's projects, and the rebuild was carried out with no accidents. 

"The rebuild project went very well. The whole PM 6 crew and Valmet experts worked towards the same target—safe and on-time startup," said Jaakko Kerttula, project manager at Valmet. 

 

 

 

The target of this rebuild was to improve machine speed, safety, and efficiency. Valmet delivery for the forming section included, among others, mist eliminators, vacuum foil boxes, and top wire lengthening with additional drive. For the drying section, Valmet delivered UnoRun S runnability boxes, new lead rolls, and mechanical drive modification, and, additionally, FoilForce tail threading after the dryer section. Also, a complete oil lubrication center including piping, tail threading equipment for the reel area, three sets of forming fabrics, and spare parts were part of the delivery. 

In spring 2015, Valmet had successfully installed a new Quality Control System (QCS). "We have achieved high availability and remarkably increased production with automatic grade change, improved process monitoring, and faster paper specifications after a web break. Working together with Valmet in these two projects has truly moved our performance forward," said Alexis Zenner, business unit manager at the Oudegem Mill.

Started in 1935, VPK Paper was built out over the years to one of the leading paper mills in its sector. Annually, 500,000 metric tons of wastepaper and paperboard are converted to produce just as much new paper. The produced paper qualities are used as raw material to make corrugated and solid board and tubes and cores.