Fabrica de Papel San Francisco has successfully started up the world’s first Metso Advantage NTT tissue line at its mill in Mexicali, Mexico. The new line is Fabrica de Papel San Francisco’s third tissue machine supplied by Metso’s Pulp, Paper and Power business, the future Valmet. After the first months, the machine is already operating at high speed, producing premium quality tissue with high bulk and softness.

"We are very excited about the successful startup, and the Advantage NTT technology has indeed met our high expectations. We strongly believe that this flexible concept will change the way tissue will be produced in the future. So far, we have tested a large amount of different grades and basis weights, in both plain and textured mode, all with good result. We have actually set some production records with the new NTT concept," says Dario Palma y Meza Espinoza, director of operations, Fabrica de Papel San Francisco. 

"Our Advantage NTT concept gives a new, more flexible option for producing premium quality tissue using less energy and fiber compared with traditional technology. We are very satisfied with our first startup, efficiency, and the quality of the products. This is a great milestone in our company’s history. The collaboration between the mill’s team and our team has been excellent and we are proud to support Fabrica de Papel San Francisco’s ambition to supply premium products," says Jan Erikson, VP, Sales, Pulp, Paper and Power, Metso. 

The Advantage NTT concept is Metso's technology for producing textured tissue with high bulk and softness, using less energy and fiber. Its unique flexibility makes it possible to easily switch from production of conventional to textured tissue. It can be operated with virgin or recycled fiber. 

The scope of supply comprised a complete 2.6-m-wide Advantage NTT tissue machine equipped with an OptiFlo II TIS headbox, a Metso yankee cylinder, an Advantage AirCap yankee hood, sheet control, tail threading equipment, an Advantage WetDust dust management system, and an Advantage SoftReel reel.

The new tissue line adds another 30,000 metric tpy of bathroom tissue, napkin, and towel grades to Fabrica de Papel San Francisco’s existing production.

Fabrica De Papel San Francisco already operates two Advantage DCT tissue machines at their Mexicali facility, one which started up in 2006 and the other in 2009. The company’s PM 4 set a then world speed record of 2,160 m/min in 2009 and its PM 5 achieved a record-breaking rapid startup in 2009, reaching a production speed of 2,100 m/min only 12 days after startup.

Fabrica de Papel San Francisco now operates five tissue production lines and converting facilities delivering tissue products for the Mexican and U.S. market.