Voith Reports Increase in Supplies of its XcelLine Tissue Machines

The XcelLine paper machines from Voith make the production of tissue paper significantly more efficient and profitable.

Since 2015, Voith has sold over 20 new machines to manufacturers of sanitary paper and received numerous orders for the modernization of machines with XcelLine components. This is a clear indicator that producers around the world are also expecting increased demand for tissue in the coming years. The global paper market study World Paper Markets up to 2030 by Pöyry Management Consulting also confirms the upward trend. According to the study, the annual demand for tissue and hygiene products should increase by up to 2.9 percent worldwide.

The high demand for Voith XcelLine tissue machines proves the trust and satisfaction manufacturers have with the new generation of paper machines from Voith. Every component in the XcelLine is designed to ensure maximum efficiency with a minimum amount of energy usage.

"The demand for tissue is growing strongly in countries where manufacturers often have difficulty finding qualified employees. That is why we put great value on the simple and safe operation of our machines and also offer extensive training," explained Martin Tietz, global product manager tissue at Voith.

Along with outstanding technology, good project management in the construction of new machines plays a crucial role for fast commissioning. The new VTM 3 for Little Rapids Corporation, located in Shawano, WI, was able to go into production in October 2017, six days before the contractually agreed-upon date, while the machine’s downtime from paper to paper was just 30 days – that’s from the dismantling of the previous machine to the construction and startup of the new machine. In addition to this extraordinary performance, the second jumbo roll was already of marketable quality, and the machine reached its maximum operating speed within the first week of operation.

"We are very proud of the teamwork from everyone involved to execute the new construction inside a very tight time frame. Furthermore, the performance we observed in this early phase of commissioning the machine is extremely promising, and we are optimistic that our customers will appreciate the additional capacity and improvements in quality we have achieved with this investment," said Ron Thiry, vice president and general manager, Little Rapids Corporation.

The reason for the smooth commissioning and high customer satisfaction was largely the project and product management of the Voith engineers. Under the heading Process Line Package (PLP), customers can purchase a new machine practically ready to use. The package includes all the components and units necessary for operation, as well as extensive training for employees. Voith also offers solutions for financing a project. The Voith Corporation’s vast experience with major projects all over the world simplifies the creation of a tailored financing framework for customers. Voith engineers accompany the entire lifecycle of an XcelLine machine with a broad range of services. Particularly with the OnSite Yankee Service, Voith offers numerous technologies which ensure extensive, reliable and quickly available service directly on site with a customer.

In the Tissue Technology Center in São Paulo, Brazil, Voith customers can get their hands on a modularly constructed test machine that covers the entire product range – from standard to structured premium grades. It is also equipped with a stock preparation and a water treatment system. New tissue products undergo targeted development and are brought to marketability with customized test series. For over 20 years, Voith has offered its customers unique opportunities for testing new technologies, thus reducing investment risks.

Voith Paper is a Group Division of Voith and the leading partner and pioneer in the paper industry. Through constant innovations, Voith Paper is optimizing the paper manufacturing process, focusing on developing resource-conserving products to reduce the use of energy, water and fibers. Furthermore, Voith Paper offers a broad service portfolio for all sections of the paper manufacturing process.