Public Funding for Sofidel UK Limited

The paper industry particularly tissue production is classed as an energy intensive industry both in terms of thermal and electrical energy. We have sourced a solution which should provide us with significant energy savings and a reduction in CO2 emissions. A number of Advantage ViscoNip press installations operate in production machines around the world and it has become the new standard for wet pressing in conventional Dry Crepe machines. It provides many benefits including improved uniformity, major energy savings, increased product flexibility and quality of product produced. The Advantage ViscoNip press is very well suited for installation on the Sofidel UK paper machine. The equipment allows for a high linear load improves energy efficiency and increases softness which is key for the UK market. To add to the efficiency of the ViscoNip, we intend to install the Valmet Advantage ReDry. This is designed with the aim of exploiting the hood exhaust air which is still rich in energy and is only partly recovered. This use improves the machine general efficiency, while reducing emissions into the atmosphere. Energy demand to reach the final dryness is substantially reduced. This technology represents an optimal solution from many points of view. Energy savings are obtained from a potential source already there (the hood exhaust). The combination of the two technologies will allow a reduction in carbon emissions of approximately 3400 t CO2/year.