OptiFlo Gap headbox

High-performance headbox for papermakers that ask for more

The new OptiFlo headbox family brings together our unrivaled expertise and new technology, opening the door to improved quality and increased productivity in all forming applications. Valmet’s high-performance headbox is ideal solution for gap forming applications, in order to meet today’s high papermaking demands on different paper grades.

Excellent profiles and perfect visual appearance

Optimized raw material usage

High operating speed and good runnability

Proven technology for secure investment

OptiFlo Gap headbox for demanding gap forming applications

The key elements of the OptiFlo Gap headbox are its completely redesigned headbox turbulence generator and a slice channel built using composite wedge technology. These innovations allow a consistent and disturbance-free slice jet. The key objectives of the OptiFlo Gap headbox are first to achieve optimal fiber suspension fluidization and then to maintain this optimal fluidization without disturbance across the forming section.

Experiences from several production machines show that homogenous slice jet quality yields excellent paper properties. This gap forming headbox design maximizes the utilization of raw material strength potential, which enables the use of more cost-effective raw materials.

The two-layer OptiFlo Gap headbox can produce a two-ply sheet using a gap forming unit. OptiFlo II and OptiFlo Pro headbox applications are available under the renewed name OptiFlo Gap headbox.

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Read our latest customer success stories about OptiFlo Gap headbox deliveries

From OCC to board - Mondi Ružomberok PM 19

Aug 9, 2023

The Mondi Ružomberok mill is the biggest integrated pulp and paper mill in Slovakia. Their new containerboard line PM 19, including the OCC line, was successfully started-up in 2021.

Asia Symbol PM 13: Advancing to a new high

Jul 31, 2023

In 2022, Asia Symbol Guangdong Paper (ASGD) started up their new PM 13 machine. The project took just 17 months and started up on schedule in March 2022. Just four months later it reached a speed of 1,610 m/min.

A new start with an OCC grade conversion at Burgo Verzuolo PM9

Nov 3, 2021

In 2020, Burgo's Verzuolo converted their existing paper machine to OCC board grades. This meant high-quality grades with minimal virgin fibers and low operating costs. Everyone involved was very pleased with the results.

Sun Paper Beihai's new PM1: world's widest fine paper production line

Oct 3, 2021

Sun Paper’s Beihai Mill successfully started up their new Valmet-supplied fine paper making line PM1 setting the new fine paper making line start-up world record for the fastest start-up.

Kruger's grade conversion rebuild to linerboard

Jan 9, 2020

Kruger converted its newsprint machine to produce recycled high-strength liner. PM10 has reached its runnability, capacity and quality targets with outstanding results and steady start-up curve development.

Shanying Huazhong OptiConcept M started-up in China

Dec 12, 2019

Shanying Huazhong Paper started-up successfully its new containerboard line PM 21 in 2019. It took only 2.5 hours to get paper from stock on wire to reel. The sellable paper quality was reached right away.

Excellent quality fine paper produced with Asia Symbol Xinhui PM12

Jan 4, 2019

Asia Symbol Paper's two Valmet paper machines, PM11 and PM12 set a reference quality level for the global and Asian markets. Xinhui PM12 is equipped with the latest technology like shoe and blade forming technology to create a competitive edge for Asia Symbol in the future.

Setúbal PM4 - modern paper making line for producing high-quality uncoated fine paper grades

Jul 25, 2018

The PM 4, known as About the Future, was officially opened in 2009 and boasts one of the world's largest and most sophisticated machines for producing uncoated paper. Turing out reels 10.4 metres wide, this machine is able to produce more than 500 thousand tons of paper a year, at a rate of 30 metres a second.

How to plan a successful rebuild?

Rebuilding a paper or board machine can improve the competitiveness of your business and your processes. But where do you start? Download our e-book to learn how to develop a winning rebuild concept, how to minimize rebuild related risks, and how to ensure smooth ramp up to full production.

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Looking for headbox related services?

We provide a wide range of professional headbox maintenance and testing services to get the best out of your headbox. These services make it possible to eliminate web streakiness and jet inaccuracy, to lower the need for slice opening adjustments, and to improve dry weight profiles.

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Planning a grade conversion?

The world is changing fast; the consumption of newsprint and printing paper is decreasing and the consumption of containerboards or cartonboards are increasing. An old paper machine can be updated with a grade conversion rebuild to produce more profitable products. Turn a new page for your paper machine with the help from Valmet.

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