A large-scale pilot plant at Resolute’s Thunder Bay mill will further develop FPInnovations’ patented process to produce “2G” sugars and hydrolysis lignin (H-lignin) using mechanical refining, mild chemical treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis.
Reality maintenance is coming: Augmented reality that is
Some companies have latched on to this visualization technology to make at-the-scene maintenance more time-effective and sure. Integration with the Industrial Internet (IoT) is essential to achieve it's full value potential.
Microcellulose gains foothold in paperboard
Stora Enso and BillerudKorsnäs announce plans to phase in microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) in paperboard products. Lightweight milk cartons with Stora Enso MFC are already market tested.
Kruger’s cellulose filaments advancing toward commercial breakthroughs
Thirty in-mill papermaking trials and pressroom trials have been encouraging. Specialty grades are a target. Composite materials and concrete mix applications look promising.
Online strength prediction shows promise
Models verified for OCC-furnish containerboard and TMP-based publication papers.
Papermaking advanced controls: mature, yet a work in progress
Predictive soft sensors could help operators to zero in on key operating windows while quality controls move upstream.
Bio-products: the tip of the iceberg at BIOFOR conference
Attendees in Montréal were told how close some products are to commercialization. Others will take more time.
Library cards, to libraries to farmers’ markets: Wood is good!
On a small, symbolic scale, a library replaces plastic cards with wood. Above that, architects and developers are using wood construction for its aesthetics, lower cost and sustainability.
Hold on to your hats: Smart hardhats are coming
Pulp and paper maintenance staff take note. Just-released safety headgear made smart by an Intel processor is designed specifically for "augmented reality" diagnosis on the industrial internet.
Will office papers go closed-loop?
A new water-free technology by Epson may lead the way to destructive fiberizing and reforming of paper sheets in an office. The scale and economics may be right for high activity businesses.
Smart glasses promise at-the-scene maintenance troubleshooting
This fledgling technology – plus smart content from the "internet of things" - may visualize and investigate faults, then permit speedy, focused repairs.
A budding age of Canadian superfibres
Domtar's announcement of a new fibre-enhancing process at its Dryden, ON mill plus other recent developments in Canada portend a new age of cellulose fibre applications
Canadian mills test drive cellulose filaments
Fourteen paper mill trials and two pulp mill trials have been conducted for the game-changing FiloCell™ reinforcing agent now being produced at a Kruger demonstration plant in Trois-Rivières, Québec. Its sheet strengthening power has been confirmed.
Predicting paper properties
Recent breakthrough developments in online fiber measurement open up a fascinating possibility to manage paper properties before the sheet is formed.
Operators take on machinery care
Condition monitoring in a DCS gives process operators a clear report of machinery soundness and promotes ownership of its care.
The open-ended QCS
A modern QCS offers powerful diagnostic capabilities and the ROI potential is much better than previous generations. But what does the future hold?
Magna tests Canadian fibers for eco-friendly car parts
The company's ConceroTM wood fiber and plastic composite is now being tried out in production-scale compounding and molding equipment at its automotive part plants.
Predictive maintenance system delivers 8-month ROI
Maintenance and operations staffs share responsibility for maintenance analysis, decisions and actions.
Microfibrils set to transform paper furnish
The fledgling nano and micro cellulose revolution in papermaking seems to be upon us, maybe sooner than we thought.
Bio-products are hatching, (although tentatively)
Lignin and nanocellulose applications are becoming more apparent and showing commercial promise. Also, Canadian pulp producers are exploring new business areas.
What’s next for Metso Automation?
The pulp and paper automation group has made a mark for itself in the past fifteen or twenty years. What does its potential divestment mean to the company and its customers?
A maintenance terminal in your pocket?
A futuristic way of improving maintenance effectiveness and cost is on the doorstep. Wireless portability and cloud data analysis are the keys.