Stefano Pecchia, Energy Technology Director at Toscotec says: “As technology suppliers, we are focused on the customer’s need to substantially reduce or slash to zero the carbon emissions of their production process. The electrification of tissue making is undoubtedly a key pathway to decarbonisation. Toscotec has successfully implemented pioneering innovations for the electrification of the drying process of the tissue machine in two paper mills in Europe”.
CASE STUDY 1: FRENCH TISSUE PRODUCER MPH1865
Founded by the Miribel family in 1965, MPH1865 is currently the largest French manufacturer of professional tissue paper labelled Origine France Garantie, as well as producer of non-woven wipes, soaps and hand hygiene solutions. With 4 facilities in the Ardèche department (France), it operates at its Annonay Pupil paper mill two Toscotec-supplied tissue lines, which were started up in 2012 (PM1) and in 2024 (PM2). Their second machine features a fully electrical air system with e-powered TT Hood with multiple stages of heat recovery.
The most advanced technology for the tissue industry
Achieving carbon emission reductions and high flexibility
Equipped with both natural gas burners and electric heaters, the air system offers the choice of three efficient operation modes: gas-heated, electrically heated and a combination of the two, to ensure maximum flexibility in the choice of energy based on availability, cost and carbon footprint. In full electrical configuration, MPH1865 will completely cut the direct carbon emissions linked to the hood drying process of the tissue machine. Furthermore, the process of switching from one operation mode to the other has been proven to be swift and efficient: this allows the mill to change from natural gas to electric mode potentially multiple times during the course of a single day in order to achieve the highest possible optimization of the machine’s thermal energy and associated costs.
CASE STUDY 2: PORTUGUESE TISSUE PRODUCER FORTISSUE
Established in 2015 in Alvarães, Fortissue is a tissue producer part of the Ghost Group. It operates a Toscotec-supplied AHEAD machine (PM1) at their Viana do Castelo with an annual production capacity of approximately 35,000 tons of paper. The tissue line has recently undergone a pioneering upgrade that transformed it into the first high-speed machine in the world that can be powered entirely on electricity both for its electric and thermal requirements.
Pioneering carbon-free tissue line
The AHEAD line features a fully electrical air system including e-powered TT Hood with multiple stages of heat recovery, as well as 100% electrical steam generation through the combined use of Toscotec’s TT SteamBooster and an electric steam boiler. The system generates 100% of the steam necessary for the Steel Yankee Dryer by recovering the heat present in the hoods exhaust air together with high-efficiency electric steam generation. Toscotec’s advanced energy package is also equipped with a TT Swing for maximum flexibility between different operation modes including cascading, parallel and hybrid (with heated air only in the wet section) and a TT Turbodryer that harnesses the heat recovered from the air system to improve the shoe press de-watering effect and increase post-press dryness.
Carbon emission reductions and high flexibility
The energy needed for Fortissue’s PM1 can come entirely from electricity. The mill has the option of getting power from the Portuguese grid or using 100% renewable energy coming from solar and wind systems. The mill will slash to zero the associated greenhouse gas emissions when it runs on renewable energy – be it from the grid or from its own plants – for all of PM1’s energy needs.
TOSCOTEC
Founded in 1948, Toscotec specializes in the design and manufacture of turn-key projects, complete machines, rebuilds and stand-alone systems for the tissue and paper and board industries. Headquartered in Lucca, Italy, with subsidiaries and service centers in China and North America, Toscotec offers cutting-edge technology and customized solutions to paper producers around the world. The technology is designed to achieve high production efficiency, low energy consumption and products of the highest quality. Decarbonisation, energy efficiency and paper quality are the basis for all its research and development, design and manufacturing.
Toscotec
Since its foundation in 1948, Toscotec specializes in the design and manufacture of turnkey projects, complete machines, plant rebuilds and single equipment for the tissue and paper & board industries.
Headquartered in Lucca, with affiliates and service centres in China and North America, Toscotec provides state-of-the-art technology and customized solutions to leading paper producers around the world.
Our technology aims at maximum production efficiency, reduced energy consumption and operating costs, finished products of the highest quality and respect for the environment.
From 30th April 2020, Toscotec is part of the Voith Group.
Products
Drying cylinders, Drying hoods, Dust extractors, Energy Saving, Heat recovery systems, Paper machines, Paperboard machines, Presses, Rewinders, Spare parts, Steam and condensate systems, Stock preparation systems, Winders, Yankee cylinders, Yankee hoods .
