Revamp of Varel's PM 4 in Germany progresses, will add white testliner and kraftliner substitutes to product portfolio

VAREL, Germany, March 24, 2011 (Press Release) - With great commitment we push forward with the revamp of paper machine no. 4. The reconstruction of our PM 4 to enlarge the product portfolio by white testliner and kraftliner substitute qualities is a great challenge.

Some new installed components of the PM 4 are already put into operation or start-up is planned within short time. We would like to point out the following milestones:

Starch preparation plant: With this new device we activate starch enzymatically. This process is more eco-friendly, since the usage of chemical substances is not necessary. Also cumulative energy balance is significantly better in comparison to thermo-chemical method. Our new starch preparation plant is in operation since beginning of this year.

Indoor-crane: A new crane with a lift capacity of 80t is already installed since several weeks. This crane will lift all components to their final positon during the time of revamp from the beginning of April. Thereafter this crane will be used for tambour lifts as well as for maintenance jobs.

Pulper: A newly designed 90 m³ D-pulper is set on duty end of April. This unit is used for pulp supply of PM 4-line 1.

All revamp measures are carried out during the regular manufacturing schedule, which underlines the complexity of this project and capability of project teams to handle their duties properly. Prospect of extension of our high quality corrugating paper products by white testliners and kraftliner substitutes is motivation and commitment for all of us