Focus delivers rewinder to Lincoln Paper & Tissue

Focus has completed the rewinder delivery for Lincoln Paper & Tissue. The 2700 mm machine features two unwinders, automatic shaft extraction and trim suction with separator. At 2000 m/min, it is said to be one of the fastest rewinders on the market, and features acceleration and deceleration ramps of 30 m/min/second. The delivery follows the installation of a new Metso tissue machine at the mill.

The rewinder is a standard width model, designed for finished reels of up to 2 m diameter, and equipped with an automatic spool handling system managing spool extraction from the finished roll, insertion into new cores and transfer on the winder loader.

The cycle is started by the operator once the roll has been released on the unloading table. The operator only needs to load the cores in the dedicated magazine. The system allows for production optimization, since a new roll can be wound during the extraction and transfer cycle.

Focus sales manager Mario Rivis said: “Following the start-up in China for Hengli, this is the first winder we have installed in the US, but not the first machine: in October 2006 a reel was successfully started-up at Scott Paper, Canada, followed by a second one at KTG USA.

“On all these machines, the roll is controlled electromechanically using ‘Active Caliper Control’, a proprietary system allowing for a higher winding uniformity, with subsequent reduction of the wound-in tension and, therefore, less bulk loss.

“On the winders at Hengli and Lincoln Paper and Tissue, hydraulics are only limited to the unloading platform and the spool handler, since the unwind stands are also electromechanical. In the case of out of round parent rolls, this system avoids oscillation
of the unwind arm, thus ensuring a better control of the roll.”

Lincoln Paper & Tissue is a leading U.S. producer of deep-dyed tissue products and printing papers. The Company operates a fully integrated pulp and paper facility with
three tissue machines and two paper machines in Lincoln, Maine.

USA
SCA INVESTS IN NEW TISSUE MACHINE IN ALABAMA

SCA’s board of directors has approved an investment in a new tissue paper machine for Barton, Alabama, USA. The investment amounts to US$145 million. Following acquisition of the North American AFH tissue operations in 2001, SCA has had a shortage of tissue mother reels. This has been solved through a long term supply contract. Due to the expiry of this contract, a new paper machine in Barton is a natural measure to further improve competitiveness and facilitate continuous profitable expansion within AFH tissue in the US and Canada.

“We have seen positive development of our AFH business in the US. This investment in Barton is key to the development of our business in the fast growing southeast region of the US,” said Thomas Wulkan, President of SCA Americas. He continued: ”With a fully integrated facility in Barton we will be able to further improve our service levels and to deliver a more consistent quality to our customers in the region. Additionally, the new paper machine will deliver significant cost savings once it is operational.”

SCA began operations at the Barton plant in 2003. The current Barton facility manufactures 100,000 tons of tissue each year. With the new machine, the annual tissue production in Barton will increase to 170,000 tpy. Start-up of the new machine is planned for the summer of 2008.

SCA Tissue North America is one of the largest manufacturers of disposable napkins, bath tissue, towels and wipes for the AFH market in the US and Canada with a market share around 20 percent. Half of the disposable napkins used in US restaurants are manufactured by SCA. Our leading brand Tork is gaining recognition in the US and globally.

“Our hygiene operations in Americas continue to develop favorably for tissue as well as for personal care. The new investment will further strengthen our premium class mill in Alabama,” said Jan Åström, President and CEO for SCA.