France’s MPH1865 has started up a Toscotec-supplied AHEAD 2.2 tissue machine at its Annonay mill, which is said to be the world’s first high-speed line operating with an entirely electrical air system.
Supplied on a turnkey basis, PM2 has a sheet trim width of 2.8m, a design speed of 2,200m/min, and a production capacity of 38,000tpy.
The scope of supply includes a TT NextPress shoe press, a TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer, a stock preparation system featuring two complete lines (one for virgin wood fibres and one for waste paper designed for PM2 and PM1), as well as a machine broke line.
Toscotec has also supplied its patented TT SAF DD system (Short Approach Flow with Double Dilution).
Part of a €75m investment, MPH1865 said the machine is the first high-speed tissue line in the world to operate with an entirely electrical air system with three stages of heat recovery.
The supplied TT Hoods are equipped with natural gas burners and electric heaters, and the air system is designed to offer three efficient operation modes: gas-heated, electrically heated, and a combination of the two.
In full electrical configuration, Toscotec added that MPH1865 will now eliminate the direct carbon emissions associated with the hood drying process.
Laure Miribel, MPH1865 Deputy Chief Executive, said: “PM2 is the first mill in the world equipped with hybrid hoods that allows us to stop using gas in the paper drying process.
“After this additional machine, we will be able to produce up to 38,000 tons of mother reels to manufacture all types of professional hygiene hand towels.
“We are inaugurating a new chapter in the history of our family business, one where we focus on the long-term vision and uphold the key principles of utmost respect for the environment and firm commitment to the local community.”
Renovelar: brand launch
MPH1865 has also introduced its brand Renovelar, which means “renew” in the Ardèche dialect.
Miribel told TWM: “The Renovelar brand symbolises our dedication to circular economy principles and our commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources within the hygiene industry.
“The brand is setting new standards in the professional hygiene sector by being the first to provide a carbon footprint analysis per sheet of paper towel, a major step in transparency and environmental responsibility.
“This data is displayed directly on product packaging, offering users clear insight into the ecological impact of their purchases.
“Such innovation aligns with the increasing demands for sustainability in industries where hygiene and environmental performance are both critical.”
“The Renovelar brand incorporates recycled hand towels, and so by using less raw material per sheet and embracing energy-efficient production methods, Renovelar aims to significantly lower the environmental footprint of hygiene products.”
The range includes hand towels, soaps as well as hygienic paper.
Elsewhere, the company has also launched a project to recover and recycle soiled hand towels.
“This initiative not only reduces waste but also converts used towels into new, high-quality fibres for our products,” Miribel said.
“By implementing this project, we aim to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.”
Founded by the Miribel family in 1965, the business evolved into MPH1865 under the leadership of Marc Miribel in 1992.
Today it is the largest French manufacturer of professional tissue paper labelled Origine France Garantie, as well as a producer of non-woven wipes, soaps, and hand hygiene solutions.
It operates four plants in the Ardèche region of southern France.
