Stronger together

Novimpianti has now been part of the ANDRITZ Group for more than two years. What are the achievements so far?
We already had a very good relationship with ANDRITZ from previous times we had cooperated on projects. The experience had always been positive and laid a strong foundation for Novimpianti to become part of the ANDRITZ Group.

ANDRITZ was looking to create a centre of excellence in Lucca, at the centre of Italy’s “tissue valley” and it was clear that both parties had a strong contribution to make. ANDRITZ has a comprehensive, high-level tissue technology offer, and through its acquisition of Novimpianti, it has added a state-of-the-art tissue technology platform focused on drying, energy saving, ventilation and control. It has since taken the opportunity to develop this technology platform using its resources as a large group and bring it to a wider audience.

And what are the benefits for customers?
Before joining ANDRITZ, Novimpianti had already delivered around 700 air and energy systems in more than 50 countries worldwide, and created a strong reputation for tailored solutions. The customer experience was already very positive. But with the strength, reach and expertise of ANDRITZ, the new entity brings new levels of innovation in the dry end. Customers are offered a superb range of engineered solutions for productivity, quality and sustainability. Customers have the advantages of tailor-made products backed by the power of a big organization, while our combined service organizations create a formidable support network.

Through ANDRITZ Novimpianti, ANDRITZ now has a centre of excellence for conventional tissue in Lucca to complement its TAD hub in Canada. There is also the exceptional pilot facility – The PrimeLineTIAC Innovation and Application Center – which ANDRITZ had completed in Graz, Austria, shortly before ANDRITZ Novimpianti came into being.

It is a place where customers can thoroughly test new products and processes with the full support of expert technicians and with the collaboration of their partners in the value chain. And it has the ability to test both TAD and conventional solutions.

Your technology and service partner for the production of pulp, paper, tissue, board and in the generation of power from renewable resources

What are the key benefits of your products? Why do customers worldwide rely on air and energy systems from ANDRITZ Novimpianti?

We have merged the best of ANDRITZ and Novimpianti – two market-leading technologies from one supplier. Two clear examples are the PrimeDry YES heat recovery steam generator system developed by Novimpianti and the PrimeDustEx W wet dust removal system from the ANDRITZ stable. Novimpianti’s heat recovery systems as part of its renowned Energy Saving Product Family have set the standard globally for air-to-air indirect, air-to-water direct and air-to-water indirect heat recovery systems. And as more and more tissue makers use cogeneration to produce electricity and steam, the ANDRITZ Novimpianti portfolio includes the option of integrated cogeneration which allows use of gas from cogeneration to dry paper, by taking advantage of exhaust heat from the turbine. This allows conventional hood burners to be switched off, thus saving energy. The ANDRITZ developedPrimeDustEx W wet dust removal system for tissue machines is exceptionally effective with its dust capture zone and flexible operating range. Along with all ANDRITZ Novimpianti’s dust control systems for tissue machines, winders and converting, safety is key, with the elimination of fire hazards and the avoidance of explosion in the piping, caused by build-up of dust concentration within the line. Additionally, the system is notably user-friendly and has low maintenance requirements. Combined and optimized, these solutions really are Best Available Technology in critical areas of the tissue machine, all from one source. They provide options for new lines and retrofits which set the standard in terms of hood balance, energy and steam system efficiency, and dust control/safety throughout the plant.

What is the geographical spread of your installations? And when we look to the future, where do you see the major challenges and opportunities?

We have the world’s main tissue players as customers, rebuild and new tissue machines. As for the future, we remain keenly focused on resource saving – both energy and water – through our energy saving solutions. But optimization of the drying process in all respects is a continuous target of ours. In line with reducing consumption is bringing down emissions, while at the same time looking at ways to increase capacity and performance.

Greater output with reduced cost and environmental load is the tissue maker’s priority, so it is ours too. We have some specific developments in the pipeline regarding heat storage and steam generation from the exhaust – so watch this space!