Clearwater’s New TAD Tissue Machine Startup Curve on-Track at Shelby

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Clearwater Paper, Spokane, Wash., USA, successfully started up its new Metso (Finland)-supplied Advantage THRU-AIR (TAD) tissue machine at Shelby, N.C., in mid-December, and the startup curve has proceeded as scheduled. Completion of the flagship facility in Shelby fulfills one of Clearwater Paper’s primary business strategies—to focus on growing the consumer segment of the company.

"Metso TAD technology coupled with its strong project team and process integration capabilities were integral to the success of this project," said Brian Hoaglund, Clearwater Paper’s expansion project leader. "Metso was a solid partner in delivering equipment that met our performance requirements and will allow Clearwater Paper to deliver ultra quality tissue products to our customers."

Soren Eriksson, account sales manager, Metso., said that "we are very impressed by Clearwater Paper’s determination and dedication of building a first class tissue manufacturing facility in Shelby. It has been a pleasure for the Metso team to work with them during the definition and execution phase in a well integrated delivery team. The result paid off with an excellent startup."

Metso’s delivery included a complete production line with stock preparation equipment and an Advantage THRU-AIR 200 TAD machine with a Metso yankee cylinder, THRU-AIR dryers, and an Advantage WetDust dust management system. The delivery also included an extensive automation package with Metso DNA machine and process controls and a Metso IQ quality control system with Metso IQ Scanners and Metso IQ Profilers. The new production line will produce 70,000 tons a year of Ultra Premium high-quality tissue grades. The raw material for the new line will be virgin pulp.

Clearwater Paper produces consumer tissue, away-from-home tissue, parent roll tissue, machine glazed tissue, bleached paperboard, and pulp at 15 manufacturing locations in the U.S. and Canada. The company is a supplier of private label tissue to major retailers and wholesale distributors. This includes grocery, drug, mass merchants, and discount stores. The company also produces bleached paperboard.