Laakirchen Papier AG commissions Voith with the rebuild of PM 11

  • After the rebuild, PM 11 will produce up to 500,000 tons of containerboard per year
  • Voith’s most efficient technologies make it possible to produce low basis weights at high speeds
  • Planned start-up is second quarter of 2024

Austrian paper manufacturer Laakirchen Papier AG has commissioned the leading full-line supplier Voith to implement the comprehensive rebuild of PM 11 at its Laakirchen site. The company, which is part of the Heinzel Group, is converting the plant from the production of graphic papers to containerboard. The planned start-up of the rebuilt production line is in the second quarter of 2024, increasing the production volume from 350,000 tons of SC papers to 500,000 tons of containerboard per year. The order was preceded by a preliminary project with Voith that showed the customer the economically viability of the PM 11 rebuild. 

With this investment, we are securing our future competitiveness,” says Dr. Thomas Welt, CEO of Laakirchen Papier AG. “Voith convinced us on all points. With highly efficient and sustainable Voith solutions, we can produce low basis weights of 70 grams at high speeds – another milestone in our long-standing and very trusting partnership between Laakirchen and Voith.”

Technologically leading solutions for the most efficient paper production
Voith supplies a highly efficient and tailor-made total package to Laakirchen Papier AG. A customer-specific stabilization and drying concept was developed so that high speeds can be produced even at low basis weights. In addition, the customer ordered a very comprehensive engineering package, thus relying on the in-depth know-how of Voith’s experts.

“We are very pleased that Laakirchen has chosen us again,” says Dr. Thomas Elenz, Sales Manager at Voith Paper. “The layout of the rebuild, especially the dryer section, enables highly efficient production of containerboard.”

For future economical and sustainable production of corrugating medium and testliner, Voith is rebuilding the paper machine and two VariTop winders. At the same time, numerous components will be relocated and the web guiding system adapted to the new requirements. Special focus is being placed on optimizing the Tandem NipcoFlex press. To ensure against web breaks, the Voith experts are also adjusting the transition from the press to the dryer section. Furthermore, the technology company will supply a new SpeedSizer for sizing and a new energy-efficient after-dryer section. The necessary changes to the control system, including programming, will be carried out by installing Voith’s efficient automation systems.

<strong>Fltr Thomas Elenz Sales Manager Voith Paper and Stefan Winkelbauer Production Manager Laakirchen Papier AG<strong>

About Laakirchen Papier
Laakirchen Papier AG, based in Laakirchen (Upper Austria) and a member of the Heinzel Group, specializes in the production and further development of environmentally friendly publication papers and lightweight corrugated base papers based on recycled paper for the European market. Laakirchen Papier generated sales of around 328 million euros in 2021 and employs over 400 people. More at www.heinzelpaper.com.

About the HEINZEL GROUP
The HEINZEL GROUP produces market pulp, packaging papers and magazine papers at four locations in Europe and trades in pulp, paper, recovered paper and packaging solutions worldwide. With the production companies Zellstoff Pöls, Laakirchen Papier, Raubling Papier and Estonian Cell, the HEINZEL GROUP is one of the most important pulp and paper producers in Central and Eastern Europe. The three trading companies of the HEINZEL GROUP – heinzelsales, Europapier and Bunzl&Biach – respond flexibly to a wide range of customer needs internationally. The growth success of the group of companies is based on entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on long-term partnerships. Sustainability is the focus of all activities of the HEINZEL GROUP.

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 20,000 employees, sales of € 4.3 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market and offers paper manufacturers holistic solutions from one source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.

ContactNaomi Keitel
Manager Global Communications Voith Paper Tel. +49 7321 37 2209 Naomi.Keitel@Voith.com

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