Papier- und Kartonfabrik Varel: significant capacity increase with Valmet’s winding technology

Papier- und Kartonfabrik Varel aims to strengthen its position in the highly competitive market and is currently implementing a seven-year strategy program with a total volume of around 280 million euros. To further improve the performance of its PM 4 and increase its production capacity, PKV decided to invest in Valmet’s state-of-the-art winding technology.

Winder area upgrade finalized successfully

“We were convinced of Valmet's expertise in the winder area technology. We needed a reliable and high-capacity winder for our ambitious production capacity increase, and Valmet's OptiWin Drum two-drum winder was the answer to our needs,” says Oliver Kern (pictured right), Production Paper, Plant Manager BT2, Papier- und Kartonfabrik Varel.

Valmet's delivery included a highly reliable and high-capacity OptiWin Drum two-drum winder with Dual Unwind system, transfer rails, a reel turntable, a reel upgrade and a Valmet Broke Pulper. In the recently finalized winding area upgrade, the winder’s working width was increased to 5,300 mm and production speed is now 2,700 m/min – having a positive effect on the paper machine’s production capacity.

Improved capacity and safety

“Valmet Dual Unwind system is a perfect solution for us. With the increased winder capacity, we are able to operate our PM 4 with its maximum production speed of 1,200 m/min,” says Project Manager Holger Droege (pictured left), Papier- und Kartonfabrik Varel.

The Dual Unwind enables an exceptionally fast way to make a parent roll change at the winder. There is no need to pause the production due to parent roll change. Valmet’s Dirk Petersen (pictured in the middle), Mill Sales Manager, explains: “The winder is equipped with a Dual Unwind system with two unwind stands. This function enables the parent roll to be changed in just one minute to increase the performance of the winder. In addition to enabling the significant increase in production capacity, our modern winding technology is designed with the employee safety in mind. The Dual Unwind sequence is independent of a crane thus further improving safety at work.”