The challenge for paper and board mills is to meet high production requirements while controlling costs and CO2 emissions. To improve theenergy efficiency of industrial paper and board mills, the use of measuring and analysis instruments (pressure transmitter, flowmeter, temperature probe, level sensor, energy meter, gas analyser ) is essential. These measuring devices need to be accurate, stable, robust and adapted to your different manufacturing processes to preserve the longevity of your installations and guarantee the quality of your paper and cardboard throughout the manufacturing process.
Fuji Electric measuring instruments accompany paper and board industry professionals during every phase of their paper and board manufacturing process in order to :
Production quality
Energy efficiency
Compliance with standards and regulations
Production optimization
Thepaper industry is a major sector of the world economy, producing essential goods such as paper, cardboard and various by-products. In France, this industry plays an important role, being one of Europe's leading producers of paper and cardboard. It employs thousands of people and generates significant sales. In this article, we'll explore the different stages of paper production, the different types of paper and cardboard, and the environmental and economic challenges facing the paper industry.
Pulp is a mass of fibers made from wood by-products (cotton or linen rags, waste paper, etc.). Wood pulp comes from hardwood and softwood trees. It is made up of cellulose (50%) and lignin and hemicellulose (the remaining 50%). The pulping process takes place in large digesters, where wood chips are mixed with white liquor (such as sodium sulfate or sodium hydroxide), then cooked at very high temperatures and under high pressure. During this process, the cellulose fiber, used as the main material in papermaking thanks to its binding properties, is separated from the lignin and hemicellulose. Some mills use high-quality production processes to guarantee excellent fiber.
Black liquor, used in the pulp-making process, contains residues of lignin, hemicellulose and chemicals. Although toxic, it can be used as a biofuel: the steam obtained after passing black liquor through a recovery boiler is used as fuel for the turbo generator. It can also be used to dry paper or recover chemicals.
Recycled paper is mixed in the pulper during the pulping process.
Filtration removes major contaminants.
During de-inking, the addition of a chemical separates hydrophobic particles (the inks) from hydrophilic particles (the pulp).
The mixture is then aerated in the flotation cell, and the foam attached to the hydrophobic particles is collected.
Finally, the pulp is bleached using chemicals.
The pulp is transformed into sheets, which are then drained and dried. To increase their strength, they can be coated with pigment and/or pressed with a roller for improved gloss.
During the forming process, the pulp is drained onto a mesh wire to form a web of 80% moist fibers. This web is then pressed to reduce the moisture content to 55%. At the end of the drying phase, the mat contains only 8% moisture.
During calendering, the paper surface is smoothed and given a protective coating.
Finally, the paper is rolled, cut, packaged and shipped.
Thepaper industry is subject to strictsafety and environmental regulations. Paper mills must comply with rigorous standards to protect workers and surrounding communities. The main safety risks include workplace accidents, fires and explosions. At the same time, mills must also comply with environmental standards to minimize their ecological impact. Major environmental issues include energy consumption, waste management and the reduction of air and water pollution. These measures are essential to guarantee sustainable and responsible production.
The paper industry is a major economic sector, with sales worth several billion euros. In France, the industry is one of Europe's leading paper and board producers, employing thousands of people. The main markets for paper products include printing, packaging and construction. To remain competitive, paper mills must continually invest in research and development, as well as in improving their energy efficiency. These investments are essential to maintain their market position and meet the growing demands of consumers.
