Toscotec to Supply AHEAD 2.2S Tissue Line to WEPA's Piechowice Mill in Poland

Toscotec will supply an AHEAD 2.2S tissue line on a full turnkey basis to WEPA Piechowice mill in Poland. The project is planned in a short time frame, with startup set for the third quarter of 2021. This is a repeated turnkey order for WEPA Piechowice mill, where an AHEAD 2.0S machine supplied by Toscotec on a turnkey basis came online in 2017.

WEPA selected Toscotec for the turnkey supply of the last three tissue machines it has installed since 2015, including WEPA Lille in France, WEPA Giershagen in Germany and WEPA Piechowice. Previously, Toscotec had supplied other two complete machines to WEPA Sachsen in Kriebstein, and to WEPA Giershagen.

This new AHEAD 2.2S in Poland will be the sixth tissue line that Toscotec delivers to the German Group, in addition to the numerous rebuilds it completed over the years for the wet end and dry end sections of WEPA’s existing machines. Recently, WEPA Giershagen PM19 achieved the constant operating speed of 2,200 m/min, setting a new world record in the tissue industry for machine speed in continuous running conditions.

The new AHEAD 2.2S machine features a 2,750-mm sheet trim width and a design speed of 2,200 m/min. It will produce over 40,000 mtpy of premium quality tissue mainly for the Away-from-Home market (AfH), made of either virgin or deinked pulp (DIP). The AHEAD 2.2S machine is equipped with Toscotec’s shoe press technology TT NextPress, a third-generation-design TT SYD, gas-fired hoods with several stages of energy recovery, and an in-line shaft puller at the pope reel. The machine is designed for the implementation of digital technology and advanced control systems supplied by Toscotec and Voith.

The project also includes the complete stock preparation, Toscotec’s patented TT SAF (Short Approach Flow) for high operation efficiency, the complete electrical and control system, including the DCS and the QCS and the dust and mist removal systems. The vacuum plant, air compression station, bridge cranes, roll handling and hall ventilation systems complete the turnkey supply. WEPA also purchased a full service package including the detailed mill engineering, the plant and the machine erection, commissioning, start-up supervision and training.

Martin Krengel, CEO of WEPA Group said, “As in the past, we have great confidence in Toscotec and are convinced that we have the right partner with the latest technology on our side for this project. We continue to trust Toscotec for their commitment to our efficiency and product quality, their operational flexibility and their ability to fully meet our demands.”

At the Piechowice site, WEPA produces for the AfH market. Udo Raumann, managing director of WEPA Professional said, “The new line is an investment in our future. We modernise the production site by replacing the existing crepe line with state-of-the-art machinery for tissue production.”

Alessandro Mennucci, CEO of Toscotec, said, “We are proud of our strong relationship with WEPA, which made our two companies grow together as trusted partners for over 20 years. Just like we did in the past, Toscotec will line up its most advanced technology, know-how and expert team to manage and successfully complete this new turnkey project.”

The WEPA Group is a family business operating throughout Europe and offers sustainable and innovative hygiene solutions that provide a safe feeling of hygiene and contribute to the well-being of millions of consumers all over Europe every day. With 3,800 employees, the WEPA Group produces hygiene paper products such as toilet paper, towel paper, handkerchiefs and napkins at 13 production sites in Europe. WEPA is one of the three largest European manufacturers and is market leader in the production of hygiene paper made of recycled fibres. The annual turnover amounts to approximately 1.3 billion euros.

In the consumer business unit, WEPA is the specialist for the private label of European retailers. The Professional business unit, with the brands BlackSatino and Satino by WEPA, stands for sustainable and professional hygiene solutions, which are used in public washrooms, the industry, offices or health care for example.

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