August Koehler AG: PM 1 started up again after rebuild at August Koehler, Germany

Mar 03, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. August Koehler AG ordered the rebuild of PM 1 at their Kehl, Germany, mill from Voith Paper at the beginning of 2004. PM 1 has been producing online pre-coated carbonless copy paper at a trim width of 4100 mm since the end of the nineteen-eighties. The paper that is pre-coated on PM 1 is then further converted on coating machine CM 1 with a DF Coater (Curtain Coater). August Koehler AG expects that the rebuild of PM 1 will not only improve quality and productivity but will also enable them to increasingly produce thermo labels and thermo specialties in the future. With this step, Koehler will further strengthen its position as the world´s leading producer of carbonless copy papers and thermo papers. After the 15 days rebuild, PM 1 was restarted in the middle of December 2004 at the same speed as before the shutdown, 1000 m/min. Just a few days after resumption of operation, paper production on PM 1 was higher than before the rebuild. This excellent start-up curve after a complex rebuild demonstrates the good cooperation of the project team. To improve the MD/CD tensile ratio as well as formation, a DuoShake with a CFRP roll was installed. Formation was, as expected, considerably improved thanks to the higher shake frequency. Also, the dryer sections were equipped with new Voith steam joints with stationary siphons and full-length spoiler bars. The steam and condensate system was adapted to the increased capacity. In this way it was possible not only to reduce steam consumption but also to significantly improve the CD moisture profile after the pre-dryer section, which allows an increase in average moisture content. A SpeedSizer with Airturn and high-capacity air dryer has replaced the existing pre-coat coater. The coat quality has improved to such an extent that the quantity of the expensive special coating medium could be reduced. The new, simplified web run has also reduced the number of sheet breaks significantly, which enabled the mill to increase saleable production. This order, following the orders for two complete production lines (Kehl PM 6 and PM 2) and the completed rebuild of coating machine CM 7 in January 2004 in Oberkirch (DF Coater), is an example of the regular and systematic future-oriented investments. August Koehler AG, a paper mill founded in 1807, has expanded into a group of companies. Besides the traditional site in Oberkirch in the Black Forest, paper is also produced at four other mills in Germany, in Kehl, Ettlingen, Bensheim and Greiz. In 2004, the Koehler Group, with approx. 1800 employees, had sales of 569 million euros with a turnover of 450,000 metric tons of paper. The product range covers carbonless copy papers, thermo papers, resin impregnated papers as well as colored papers and boards.