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Tissue 2017 Conference & Expo
Product Innovations
Converting with premium tissue
The preference in North America for premium tissue is, if anything, becoming stronger. The
region which pioneered the TAD structured tissue format has continued to be its biggest
user, and by a considerable margin.
The North American market has also invested considerably in alternative premium tissue
technologies, sometime also referred to as structured tissue, or textured tissue. “Premium”
is the catch all. While the advanced technologies behind these alternative solutions has not
replaced TAD as some of its supporters believed it could, they achieve highly impressive
characteristics in terms of bulk and softness and converting solutions need to rise to many
of the same challenges
Since TAD became generally available at the turn of the century (it was first used
commercially in the 1960s but protected by patents), and since other premium technologies
emerged as another route to add value, they have been driving growth in high quality tissue
in this region.
By 2005 TAD had come to dominate the market for premium‐grade tissue, and the vast
majority of TAD tissue machines are located in this country. Of orders for tissue machines in
North America due for delivery during the next two years, TAD still dominates, however
other premium solutions are also widespread.
This confirms that consumers in North America are becoming ever more discerning, which is
welcome. Energy costs for TAD production might be higher than for other technologies, but
it is very efficient in terms of fibre consumption (fibre costs are increasing) and with the
product differentiation and added value it offers, it has proved to be profitable. Other
premium technologies take a different approach focused on reduced energy input. But for
premium tissue in general, the powerful combination of softness, bulk absorbency and
tensile strength mean they can only increase in popularity in a market in which price, while
important, is not necessarily the first priority.
Distinctive tissue in demand
Over the past two decades, consumers have increasingly come to regard their kitchens and
bathrooms as showpieces for guests rather than merely functional spaces. This sentiment
naturally applies to the consumable items as well, and this goes a long way to explain why
distinctive tissue products, in terms of quality, performance and design, are proving ever
more popular.
TAD is essentially a consumer rather than away‐from‐home product but spans brands and
private label and is also available in limited quantities as jumbo rolls – so converting‐only
operations have had the opportunity to get in on the action. Originally the preserve of the
biggest brands, TAD is now being used by producers from smaller private enterprises to
multinationals. World TAD consumption stands at more than 5 million tpy compared with 1
million tpy 20 years ago. Other premium tissue manufacturing solutions have seen more
applications for away‐from‐home product than TAD.
For premium tissue, the priorities for converting are to preserve the precious bulk, softness
and absorbency created and to optimise the efficiency with which this high added‐value
product is made.
This has been a focus of Futura’s recent innovation activity as it develops converting
solutions which are part of an integrated tissue production process.
Handling is critical for premium tissue for two main reasons: The reels need to be changed
far more frequently than with standard tissue, particularly in the case of TAD, and it is vitally
important to avoid stretching because of its negative effect on bulk. This is why Futura has
developed for its Andromeda converting line a unique automatic reel handling system which
is safer, more effective and less dependent on manpower.
Reel changing – the real impact
A typical premium tissue machine with a capacity of 70,000 tpy will require four converting
lines to manage its output. Assuming a reel lasts 20 minutes on the converting line before
requiring replacement, this equates to 36 changes per 12‐hour shift on one line. Multiplied
over several lines, the impact of reel changing becomes strongly apparent.
The automation of reel handling from tissue machine to converting line is a matter of
efficiency, safety and the preservation of vital product characteristics. Futura’s handling
system can load, unload and splice with exceptional automation and safety, therefore
delivering process continuity. This is the first example in the industry of a technology which
can position the jumbo roll (up to 3‐m diameter) on the unwind stand at the beginning of
the converting line without manual intervention, including automatic chuck removal and
insertion, and this offers considerable benefits in terms of safety and process runnability
and continuity. It represents the integration of processes as part of a modern tissue plant
and will bring tangible benefits.
Further down the converting line, embossing needs to be carried out with extreme
definition to preserve and emphasise bulk. Futura has focused on the interaction between
its proprietary steel marrying roll and the steel embossing roll, plus ensuring the hardness of
the rubber rolls is optimised. The essential, patented element of Zero Deflexion is a further
guarantee of embossing performance. Whether using nested or point‐to‐point
configuration, the same principles apply and the same success beckons.
Dust – a growing challenge
Underpinning the whole operation is process hygiene, rendered more important than ever
with evolving use of fiber which has made dust more of a challenge than before. TAD is
based exclusively on virgin fiber and all premium grades tend to favour it. Hardwood pulp is
being used in increasing quantities for tissue making. Its historical price advantage over
softwood and the benefits in terms of softness and bulk are clear to see. However it also
releases more dust during processing and this is something which converting lines have to
cope with.
The need for regular cleaning of the converting line has been an obstacle to the creation of
a truly continuous process. With this in mind, Futura’s latest solution for dust control
minimises downtime therefore maximising overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The end
result is a better‐quality product, exceeding market expectations, made more efficiently and
based on the higher proportion of hardwood pulp which has become typical.
Advanced converting technology brings new product development opportunities but also
allows us to make more efficient use of existing products, and premium tissue in all its forms
is a prime example. Premium tissue‐making technology is here to stay. If anything it will
increase its market share. Converting technology needs to be ahead of the game.
CONVERTING WITH STRUCTURED TISSUE Sergio Tonarelli, Sales Director – Futura
S.p.A.
Friday, October 6th - Eden Roc Miami, Miami, FL
MARKET TRENDS
STRUCTURED VS.
CONVENTIONAL
STRUCTURED TISSUE = PREMIUM PRODUCT
STRUCTURED AND CONVENTIONAL TISSUE = STRUCTURED PERCEIVED AS PREMIUM PRODUCT
STRUCTURED AND CONVENTIONAL TISSUE = BOTH PERCEIVED AS PREMIUM PRODUCT
CONVENTIONAL
R E E L P R E P
S A F E T Y
C H U C K I N G A N D U N C H U C K I N G
S P E N T C O R E C L E A N I N G
P A R E N T R E E L L I F E T I M E
JUMBO REELS
MANAGEMENT
THE
CHALLENGES
D U S T C O N T R O L
F L O O R S W E E P S Y S T E M
R O L L S C L E A N I N G , M A R R Y I N G R O L L
R O L L S C L E A N I N G , U P P E R S T E E L R O L L
HYGIENE
THE
CHALLENGES
WEB HANDLING
E M B O S S I N G B U L K R E T E N T I O N
R E W I N D I N G
PRESERVE PAPER BULK
THE
CHALLENGES
T H R E A D U P M E T H O D
Automatic Reel Handling
Integrated Core Cleaning
Perfect Winding
Automatic Thread Up
Integrated Dust Control
Steel Marrying Roll