Green electricity, process integration, advancing machinery, supply chain coordination, multidisciplinary teams, charting diverse cultural and regulatory environments, and “learning the ropes” with AI. TWM asked leading companies how they are facing the many challenges of a rapidly evolving market.
TWM/1: What paper machine technologies have been ground-breaking during 2024 – and what can the industry expect to see in 2025?
Fabrizio Tonello, Technical Director, A.Celli Paper: “During 2025, A.Celli has the opportunity to start up the first two units of its innovative device to increase the efficiency of the tissue sheet pressing process by pre-heating the sheet itself. This system, developed and patented by A.Celli, was tested on a pilot machine to prove its effectiveness.
“On another front, A.Celli is preparing for a future in which paper sheet drying will be done with heating systems completely powered by electricity. This scenario will be consequent to the progressive decarbonisation of the power generation chain and the large-scale deployment of systems that can directly produce electricity from renewable sources, such as photovoltaics and wind power. The availability of low-cost electricity will also pave the way for other forms of recovery such as that involving the use of heat pumps, capable on the one hand of ennobling thermal tails at low temperatures, and on the other of condensing fumes and vapours to recover their liquid phases and avoid their release into the atmosphere.”
Wojciech Niemczyk, Vice President Sales and Application, Paper & Board and Tissue, Andritz: “Over the past few years, we have been developing our innovative hybrid technology, PrimeLineTEX. Starting out with initial concepts, the technology was successfully integrated into our tissue pilot line, PrimeLineTIAC. We then refined and enhanced the concept, developing and patenting additional features and tools to ensure seamless and efficient operation.
“With PrimeLineTIAC, our customers have had the unique opportunity to witness this technology in action, allowing them to experience its user-friendly operation and exceptional paper quality first-hand. As a result, it comes as no surprise that we are set to launch our first commercial installation of PrimeLineTEX in 2025 – a milestone the market is eagerly anticipating.
“Digitalisation and electrification also remain key areas of development for us. Our METRIS solution has long been a recognised technology in the industry. Building on this solid foundation, we have developed additional features, including METRIS UX, Andritz’s DCS solution, and a range of comprehensive analysis tools, including for autonomous process islands.
“The PrimeDry HotAir Box optimises tissue drying by reusing hot, wet exhaust air from the drying hood. After passing through a heat exchanger and filter, the air is evenly blown onto the tissue web ahead of the suction roll. This increases web temperature, lowers water viscosity, and improves dryness after pressing, which reduces energy consumption and boosts production.”
Benny Peng, Vice president, Baosuo Paper Machinery Manufacture Co.: “In the second half of 2024, Baosuo Enterprise Group’s subsidiary, Baotuo Paper Machine, successfully won the bid for APP Indonesia’s OKI Tissue machine project, involving 24 paper machines with an annual production capacity of 500,000 tons. As a result, Baosuo’s market share in the global tissue paper supply industry rose to third place.
“The gradual recovery of the global economy in 2024 is expected to drive an increase in household paper demand. With consumption upgrades, consumer demand for premium and eco-friendly tissue products will continue to rise, including virgin wood pulp paper and biodegradable tissue products. Additionally, the household paper market will become increasingly segmented, with categories such as kitchen towels, wet toilet paper, and beauty wipes experiencing continuous growth.
“In 2024, the focus in the paper machine sector was on the development of energy-saving technologies. We provide customers with permanent magnet synchronous energy-saving motor technology for main drive and auxiliary equipment in tissue paper machines, achieving significant energy savings. Current data indicates an energy efficiency improvement of 11.8%.
“Looking ahead to 2025, the company will further optimise pulping and papermaking processes to enhance production efficiency and product quality. For example, improvements in paper machine design and control systems will enable precise control over paper grammage and thickness. Additionally, intelligent manufacturing will become a key trend, integrating advanced sensors and control systems to monitor production data in real time and optimize workflows.
“The implementation of large-scale projects highlights the increasing concentration within the industry. Leading enterprises, leveraging their advantages in scale, technology, and branding, will further expand their market share. Meanwhile, industry differentiation will become more pronounced – some small and medium-sized paper manufacturers may struggle due to a lack of core competitiveness, while those focusing on niche markets with unique products and innovation capabilities can carve out a sustainable position through differentiated competition strategies.”
Shinji Goda, Director and Head of Design Department, Kawanoe Zoki: “Various activities to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 are being promoted in the Japanese paper industry, and progress has been made in the areas of energy conservation and paper quality improvement in 2024.
“In the production of toilet paper made from used paper, a characteristic of the Japanese market includes a series of equipment modifications that have been made to stock preparation, paper machine, and converting to achieve better quality. This is the case even with lower quality, difficult-to-process used paper materials – a response to the decrease in the amount of used paper generated.
“We believe that technological innovation will continue to advance in the field of environmentally friendly recycled paper.”
Marco Dalle Piagge, Sales Director Tissue, Toscotec: “During the past year, Toscotec has announced a wide range of ground-breaking innovations in tissue technology. First off, we have been spearheading the electrification of the tissue making line. Toscotec has upgraded its high-performance AHEAD tissue machine installed at Fortissue in Portugal to transform it into the first machine in the world to operate at 2,000m/min entirely on green electricity. In September 2024, we also started up a new production line at France’s MPH1865 that features an innovative low-carbon design with an entirely electrical air system.
“In both cases, this innovative technology allows the paper mills to significantly reduce or even cut to zero the direct carbon emissions associated with the manufacturing process.
“Secondly, Toscotec has taken substantial steps in the area of alternative fossil-free fuels. We have witnessed a surge in the installation rate of Toscotec’s TT Hydrogen Burner that allows the use of carbon-free fuels like hydrogen up to a 100% rate. We have also acquired an important order for the supply of tissue equipment fuelled by biomass.
“Last but not least, we are in the process of completing the industrial project of our breakthrough innovation, TT Induction SYD, a Steel Yankee Dryer powered by electromagnetic induction. Its product launch will represent a quantum leap in tissue technology as it will allow for the use of green electricity to directly power the energy-intensive drying core of the tissue line, i.e. the Yankee Dryer, without the use of steam.”
Arvid Johansson, Director Tissue Mills Technology, Valmet: “During 2024, we introduced several new features in our technology portfolio. Among them I can highlight the new Advantage SoftReel and Advantage ViscoTransfer.
“The new Softreel includes more than 100 upgrades to removing limitations of reel efficiency and improving winding performance. Implementing innovative safety solutions reducing the need of manual working procedures and improving access in key areas. Winding improvements with new ability of the software to restrict and control the load dependency on the calliper response during diameter growth makes roll building adaptive to incoming and changing sheet properties secure a stable calliper from bottom to top of the roll.
“Next to highlight is the ViscoTransfer that is really breaking new ground for the TAD machines capability. Sharing the fundamentals with the Advantage ViscoNip press it provides the same great advantages in evenness for the transfer from TAD fabric to Yankee across the full machine width. With this improvement the TAD machines are no longer so dependent on crown fit and not constrained as a traditional transfer roll to the crown fit. Enabling our customers to run different transfer loads depending on the need of the fabric and product. This opens for several new capabilities such as 20% speed increase for low tensile bath, reduced coating add-on, and possibility to increase ingoing moisture on the Yankee this have been proven on the pilot machine.
“With Valmet Tissue Converting (formerly Körber BA Tissue) we can work more dedicatedly together, finding new ways of optimising the tissue process from bales to end product. During 2025 we will introduce commonly developed technology to the market enabling waste reductions and improved efficiency.”
TWM/2: What demand changes have you seen in the global tissue market, and what new challenges and opportunities has that presented for you?
Tonello: “Many newcomer customers are setting out to become tissue paper manufacturers, either because they are already product converters that want to integrate the upstream processes and become independent from the roll production market, or because they can incorporate tissue products into their logistics flows of other similar products. These types of customers expect machines that are flexible and easy to run and maintain.
“The market continues and will continue to be very sensitive to reducing consumptions with high environmental impact, such as energy or soil consumption. There will also be a focus on improving the overall green footprint by considering the impacts of plant construction as well as its de-commissioning at the end of its service life. Since the issues are certainly not newly explored, this insistence causes producers to think “outside the box” to reduce even the consumptions that have a negative impact on the environment and that common sense considers ‘physiological’.
Niemczyk: “The tissue market has cooled down in certain regions during the past year. China is dominated by local machine suppliers, and overcapacity is still evident. In South America, huge new capacities came online. For example, Bracell started up four double-wide Andritz tissue machines with shoe presses in 2024. As such, the mill has one of the smallest CO2 footprints in the world.
“Most markets are driven by energy costs; therefore, the right system and drying concept are key for new investments. Customers want maximum flexibility when it comes to using different energy resources based on availability and cost. This challenges suppliers to provide the best solutions and new developments, for example for electric heating, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels, as well as different energy recovery systems.
“Besides reducing energy and the CO2 footprint, new investments focus on specific furnish usage, such as maximising short fibre input to optimise paper quality at the best fibre cost and availability. Andritz has made a significant contribution to fibre treatment for such applications by developing solutions such as high-consistency refining, a cylindrical refiner (Papillon refiner), and specific line concepts.
“The third key change in market demand is the increased use of digitalisation in the tissue making process. This allows quicker start-ups, faster operator training, process and energy optimization, better management systems, and plenty of other features to support the operator.”
Peng: “In terms of market demands and challenges, we are seeing a range of new trends:
- Rising quality expectations: Consumers are now looking beyond price, placing greater emphasis on the quality and experience of household paper products, including softness, absorbency, and strength. Demand for high-end, health-oriented, and comfortable products – such as baby wipes and lotion-infused tissues – is increasing;
- A growing Environmental Awareness: Strengthened environmental policies and increased consumer consciousness are driving demand for sustainable products. Consumers are increasingly opting for tissue products made from eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable materials;
- Market Segmentation: The household paper industry is becoming more specialised, with a growing acceptance of the ‘specific paper for specific uses’ concept. Consumers are showing increasing demand for segmented product categories like wet toilet paper, kitchen towels, and cleaning wipes.
Challenges:
- Increased R&D pressure: To meet diverse consumer needs for quality and functionality, companies must invest heavily in research and development to create new products and technologies, posing significant challenges in terms of R&D capabilities and financial resources.
- Rising Environmental Costs: Compliance with stringent environmental regulations requires significant investment in environmental protection equipment, operations, and material research, leading to higher production costs.
- Intensified Market Competition: A highly competitive market, dominated by leading brands, makes it challenging for new entrants and smaller brands to establish themselves. Severe product homogenization and a lack of technological innovation can lead to price wars, further squeezing profit margins.
Opportunities:
- Expanding Niche Markets: The rising demand for products like wet toilet paper and kitchen towels presents new growth opportunities. By focusing on niche segments and developing specialised products, companies can achieve differentiation and competitive advantage.
- Technological Innovation: The integration of intelligent manufacturing technologies is a key trend, helping companies reduce costs and enhance market competitiveness.”
Goda: “Although the pandemic has come to an end, hygiene awareness remains high, partly due to influenza and other infectious diseases. Demand for tissue paper, towel paper, and other products remains high, and with growing awareness of environmental issues, products with low environmental impact, recycled raw materials, and production methods with low energy costs are attracting attention.
“Currently, more than 56% of toilet products are long winding products. At the same time, kraft paper wrappers are attracting attention as an alternative packaging material to conventional corrugated cardboard in the means of transportation of recycled toilet rolls.
“In addition, as an effort to improve product performance, new product development is being conducted under the conflicting conditions of product lengthening and pursuit of softness, and research is being conducted on unique embossing equipment and embossing patterns.
“In order to solve these issues, we have used our own pilot paper machines and converting machines since 2020, and are accelerating the development of products that meet market needs by developing products together with our customers.”
Dalle Piagge: “We have witnessed three major trends in 2024. Firstly, the growth of the Latin American tissue market with numerous projects coming up to increase the region’s production capacity. Secondly, we are recording a strong growth in the North American market, which is certainly one of our strategic markets.
“In North America in particular, Toscotec’s technology is recognised as best-in-class for its high level of customization and flexibility in project execution. This recognition blends well with the status of obsolescence of a wide swath of existing equipment in the region, which calls for technological upgrades to take these lines to a whole new level of efficiency and safety.
“Thirdly, we have definitely seen an ongoing growth of the Indian tissue market, where Toscotec has started up a complete tissue line in November 2024.”
Johansson: “We see a continuing focus on sustainability, but the importance of balanced operational cost has increased. This requires different solutions depending on the available energy sources.
“Operational efficiency remains important, and it’s obvious that tissue makers in many parts of the world have difficulties to attract and recruit personal. This has also resulted in declined collective experience at the mills, affecting operational efficiency in some areas. We see an increasing need of specific training and solutions to support customers.”
TWM/3: In 2015, TWM asked how the start-ups of new technologies such as NTT and ATMOS were changing the marketplace. Now ten years later, what impact have such technologies had on the marketplace?
Tonello: “The market does not seem to have turned toward these technologies, which are characterised by significantly more complex processes, but instead it seems to prefer simpler, more traditional processes and technologies.”
Niemczyk: “We have observed a growing interest in hybrid technologies, particularly in regions seeking bulkier and softer tissue products, where energy costs are higher. These areas are actively looking for alternatives to TAD technology. Furthermore, the geopolitical challenges we have faced in recent years have accelerated the demand for sustainable and energy efficient tissue production solutions.
“As is often the case with new technologies, we have encountered certain limitations regarding machine operations and the available consumables in the market. In response, Andritz began developing its own hybrid technology early on and decided to establish a pilot plant to validate the concept of PrimeLineTEX, along with other disruptive technologies currently in development.
“Customers who have trained on this new machine and tissue production technology have expressed surprise at how easy it is to operate, noting that it requires no additional consumables beyond those needed for a standard tissue machine. The launch of our first commercial installation will mark a significant advancement for this technology and the market in these regions.”
Peng: “New technologies such as NTT and ATMOS are being applied to produce tissue paper with superior properties, including enhanced softness, bulk, and strength. These advancements cater to consumer demand for high-quality household paper and drive the industry towards premiumisation. We’re seeing:
- Market Expansion: The improved quality and potential cost reductions from these technologies will attract more consumers, increasing market demand and expanding market share. This may also stimulate the growth of related supporting industries.
- Cost Reduction: Optimised production processes and equipment can lower energy and material consumption, enhance production efficiency, and provide companies with a cost advantage in market competition. This could influence market pricing and profit margins.
- Enhanced Market Competition: The ability to produce high-quality tissue products at lower costs will intensify market competition. This will push other companies to improve their technology and efficiency to maintain their market share, ultimately driving technological advancements across the industry.”
Goda: “Paper machines equipped with new technologies have brought about changes in the tissue paper manufacturing industry in terms of productivity, quality, production costs, and environmental friendliness.
“Paper manufacturers that have already introduced these technologies have been able to offer distinctive product lines to the market and position themselves as high value-products.
“With the establishment of these premium products and the successful price increases of conventional products, some manufacturers are beginning to develop products that follow these products.”
Dalle Piagge: “When these technologies appeared on the tissue market, they ignited a dream, i.e. the opportunity of making something different, of giving birth to a completely new generation of products. In many cases, these technologies fell short of delivering that dream. At present, in the global tissue market, this kind of intermediate solutions is not taken into consideration by producers. The available technologies on the market today are designed either for TAD or conventional tissue.
“For the upcoming future, at Toscotec we are actively working on a ground-breaking solution which is specifically focused on sustainability and quality.”
Johansson: “Over the last 10 years we have delivered 20 hybrid machines such as Advantage NTT, Advantage QRT and Advantage eTAD to different markets. We are seeing a slow but steady growth in the utilisation and interest in these technologies and the product differentiation capabilities they provide. The market demand for textured and structured products has been slower than anticipated but there is still a growth.
“One of the greatest benefits with the NTT technology has also become a hold back of the utilisation in textured configuration, the swing capability between plain and textured. But I would also like to stress the unique energy efficiency and product quality achievable with NTT while running in plain mode. I would claim that the best plain base sheet products in Europe by a long shot is made on NTT machines, while the same machines perform at market leading energy levels.”
TWM/4: How is AI helping your business advance its machinery offerings?
Tonello: “AI will provide important opportunities for our industry. In the specific field of our machinery and plants, AI is “learning the ropes.” We foresee a not-too-distant future in which machines and plants will have a simple body and a complex brain.
“The metaphor is to say that they will have to be simple enough to be run by low-skilled personnel, while the management of process parameters – managed largely by self-learning AIs and a few very specialised people not necessarily on-site – will play a large role.”
Niemczyk: “AI is enhancing Andritz’s machinery offering through the Metris Copilot system, which uses advanced machine learning and a real-time chat interface to help mill operators monitor conditions, identify faults, and make faster decisions. By combining Andritz’s process expertise with Microsoft’s AI technology, Metris Copilot provides real-time insights and anomaly detection based on real-time sensor data, ultimately reducing downtime and boosting efficiency.
“This AI-driven solution enables higher autonomy and simpler decision-making, which allows operators to focus on critical choices while routine tasks are handled by the system.”
Peng: “In terms of AI-driven optimisation, and structural and performance enhancement, we are seeing that AI algorithms can simulate and optimise the structure and performance of household paper machinery. By analysing extensive experimental data and user feedback, AI can identify optimal design parameters, improving production efficiency, stability, and reliability:
- Smart Monitoring and Fault Prediction: AI enables real-time monitoring of equipment performance and predictive maintenance. Sensors collect operational data, and machine learning algorithms analyse potential faults, reducing downtime and enhancing production efficiency and product consistency.
Supply Chain Management:
- Demand Forecasting and Inventory Optimisation: AI can predict market demand, optimize raw material procurement, and streamline inventory management.
- Smart Scheduling: AI-driven big data analysis and optimisation algorithms help determine optimal production schedules by considering order priorities, equipment status, and other factors, minimising idle time and production delays.
As a leading provider of intelligent equipment solutions for the household paper industry, Baosuo Enterprise Group integrates multiple business segments, including:
- Baotuo for paper-making equipment
- Baosuo for converting machinery
- Baojin for packaging solutions
- Dongran for electrical control systems
- Zhonghuibao for high-efficiency energy-saving motors.
“All these divisions align with the group’s strategic focus on the household paper industry, aiming to develop high-capacity, low-carbon, energy-efficient, and intelligent high-end technical equipment while driving expansion into both domestic and international markets. Our goal is to enhance user experience and meet the growing demand in a broader market.”
Goda: “For machinery makers, AI is more than just a technological tool; it has the potential to revolutionise the entire manufacturing process.
“It is expected to have benefits in a wide range of areas including preventive maintenance of equipment, optimisation and automation of manufacturing processes, and improvement and uniformity of product quality. In the Japanese paper industry, there is expected to be great demand for AI-based equipment management and quality maintenance to compensate for the shortage of human resources and experienced workers due to the shrinking workforce.
“Although AI has yet to be introduced and deployed on a full-scale basis, we believe that its further evolution and familiarity will lead to solutions to the various problems faced by the papermaking industry.”
Dalle Piagge: “We are strongly convinced that the technological offering of a machinery manufacturer like Toscotec must also be focused on the operational optimisation of the equipment and processes. This idea creates a powerful foundation for a collaboration between the technology supplier and the paper producer that goes well beyond the initial supply but extends wide and large into its operation all along its lifetime.
“At Toscotec, in strong synergy with Voith, digital and AI systems are a big part of this cooperative work with customers, because they offer vital support at various levels. Just to mention a few aspects, digital and AI solutions can help tissue mills partly resolve the issue of rare skilled workforce on the job market by offering interactive Operation Management Systems, which simplify the daily work of machine operators. Another application of digital and AI systems is the continuous monitoring of equipment vibrations to optimise maintenance efficiency, improve reliability and availability, and reduce maintenance costs.
“Finally, innovative systems allow the development of Advanced Process Controls (APC), which keep in constant check important production parameters, which in the past could only be checked from time to time through lab tests.
“In conclusion, these new digital and AI systems pave the way for an autonomous paper mill, an innovation that is currently under development and that will soon represent the state-of-the-art of AI systems for tissue making.”
Johansson: “Areas where we see advantages with AI are vast. We work in several different fields both within Valmet and with partners. Today we see how it improves our everyday work with the internal workflows. But we are more excited about how it can serve our customers’ performance.
“We are already using AI in data analytics and with Industrial internet solutions, providing new ways to find, for example process variations and how to mitigate the underlaying factors.
“Another area is also a transition to more advanced AI learnings in control loops.”
TWM/5: What geographical areas are you looking to in 2025 – and why, and what technical paper machine trends and challenges are you seeing in these regions?
Tonello: “Europe and Eastern Europe, both for rebuilds and new machinery. We are outperforming for certain markets and aim for more mature and demanding ones. At the same time, we are preparing to compete with producers who are on the market with very competitive prices that take advantage of the economic conditions in their homelands. To this end, we developed product lines with specific characteristics (e.g. the E-WIND T80) that are still distinguished by high build quality, but at competitive costs.
“As for the technical paper machine trends and challenges we are seeing in these regions, today everything happens very quickly, and the market for our products will be highly sensitive to the evolutions of the various geopolitical scenarios at this neuralgic moment. “Secondly, the market will be driven by progress in emerging countries where the use of hygiene products is still at levels an order of magnitude lower than in Europe. We are therefore preparing to offer a range of products adapted to these eventualities both technologically and logistically.
“When, as we all hope, peace breaks out, it will be important to be able to offer plants and machinery that are easy and quick to install in order to meet the needs of the rapidly recovering markets in the shortest possible time.”
Niemczyk: “Andritz’s strategic commitment to the global tissue industry has remained consistently strong over the years. As a multinational corporation, we operate across a broad geographic footprint and intend to uphold this global approach moving forward.
“The tissue sector has demonstrated steady growth over recent years, exhibiting resilience to various macroeconomic and geopolitical disruptions. We anticipate this stability to persist in the foreseeable future.
“However, regional market dynamics will continue to evolve. For instance, China has long been the dominant driver of new production capacity expansion, but sustaining this high level of growth in the coming years may prove increasingly challenging.
“The North American tissue and towel market continues to show signs of slow but consistent growth, both in dry crepe capacity, but especially in premium TAD grades. Several producers have announced new investments or interest in new capacity, and these announcements are expected to be realised in the coming years. Investments in new converting capacity by several producers is consistent with the expectation that new capacity will be added. We expect several dry crepe tissue machine rebuilds to be announced in the coming years, as several ageing tissue machines will require technology upgrades to remain commercially competitive and environmentally sustainable.
“The development of alternative fibres for tissue production remains a leading area of interest in the North American tissue market. Andritz is extremely well-positioned in this field, and we continue to partner with and support tissue producers in their fibre development projects, aided by our extensive global R&D capabilities.
“The recent change in government leadership in the US and the ensuing geopolitical landscape may have some impact on project schedules in view of the uncertainty surrounding trade tariffs that may significantly impact project costs. The new challenges presented by this development will benefit machine vendors such as Andritz, who have a strong worldwide presence.
“Another key industry development is the transformation in project execution models and investor expectations across various geographic regions. While many aspects of the tissue industry are gradually standardising on a global scale and reducing regional disparities, the approach to the deployment of tissue production technology is undergoing significant shifts.
“In Asian markets, the traditional project execution framework remains largely unchanged, with investors retaining primary responsibility for coordination and integration. However, in other regions, there is a growing trend toward “turn-key” project models, where technology providers are expected to deliver fully integrated solutions.
“This shift presents new challenges for equipment and technology suppliers. Beyond possessing state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, executing large-scale projects now requires a deep understanding of process integration, advanced automation, and supply chain coordination. Additionally, success in this evolving landscape depends on highly skilled, multidisciplinary teams capable of navigating diverse cultural and regulatory environments, as well as robust financial capacity to support complex project execution.
“Andritz remains at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging its global expertise to successfully deliver large-scale, integrated tissue production projects that encompass a comprehensive scope of supply.”
Peng: “In 2025, our target market will be global. While maintaining a strong foothold in China, we will expand towards:
- Europe and the Americas: Providing high-speed, highly automated premium tissue machines to potential clients;
- Southeast Asia and the Middle East: Offering customisable solutions tailored to the rapid growth of the household paper industry in these regions.
“We will continue to provide comprehensive solutions for household paper manufacturing, from paper-making machines to product packaging equipment, catering to diverse customer needs worldwide.”
Goda: “The regions where we expect market growth to focus on are the Asia-Pacific region and other emerging countries, including India.
“In each of these regions, the market for tissue, toilet paper, and other household paper products is expected to expand due to the increasing penetration of these products in households.
In each of these regions, paper machine manufacturers will be required to propose equipment that meets technical issues, environmental measures, and market needs.”
Dalle Piagge: “For brevity, I could mention three areas of attention for Toscotec. First of all, we are looking to Northern Africa as well as India and Southeast Asia, because there are a number of new projects coming up in these regions. These markets are in the process of expanding and at the same time their per capita tissue consumption is still rather low, which points to a clear potential for future market growth. In terms of technological trends, we are looking at conventional tissue machines installed by a certain number of newcomers to the market, in which case the challenge for technology suppliers consists of providing a high level of assistance.
“Second, we are focused on the U.S. market with the installation of new complete lines and technological rebuilds. The main trend is that of upgrades, and Toscotec stands out as a key player because we can deliver efficient tailor-made solutions on rebuilds. The market is definitely rewarding Toscotec on this aspect, in North America as well as in Europe.
“Finally, we are looking to China where we have recently started up two TAD lines at Chinese leading tissue producer Hengan International Group. The Chinese market is showing a surging interest in premium-quality structured tissue, which is of course produced on TAD machines. The challenge in this case is a low utilisation rate of the installed machine base in the country.”
Johansson: “Valmet will continue its global presence, and 2025 is an exciting year with start-ups on five different continents.
“We do see different market trends with different requirements and needs around the world. Differences that have become more evident and crucial over the last years. The most critical areas focussing on the R&D work are water scarcity, energy source availability and quality demands.”
