AFT installs refining solution at Essity Mannheim to improve tissue softness

AFT (Aikawa Fiber Technologies) reported the successful installation and start-up of a MaxEdge150™ refiner with AFTLinx™ diagnostic service on PM5 at Essity’s Mannheim mill (Germany), building on a previous delivery.

The project supports Essity’s effort to enhance tissue quality at what the company describes as its largest tissue site in Europe and a key production hub for brands such as Zewa and Tempo.

At the Mannheim integrated site, production is largely based on beech pulp, which the mill had not previously refined. The objective was to increase end-product softness, requiring a carefully tuned fibre treatment approach due to the sensitivity of beech pulp.

To address this, AFT supplied its MaxEdge150™ refiner equipped with Finebar® refining plates, designed for low-intensity and energy-efficient fibre development, and extended the installation with AFTLinx™, the company’s IoT-based diagnostic platform for real-time monitoring and process optimisation.

AFT also provided erection, start-up and ongoing optimisation services, with the aim of ensuring a smooth commissioning phase and stable operating performance.

“At AFT, our focus is always on solving our customers’ process challenges and delivering real results,” said Olli-Pekka Riippa, Product Manager, AFT. “Helping Essity with their refining challenges and achieving their quality goals has been a rewarding example of this partnership in action. Our ultimate goal is a satisfied customer.”

“Introducing refining for beech pulp at our Mannheim site was a major step, and AFT proved to be a reliable and supportive partner throughout the project,” said Marco Maier, Production Manager Papermaking, Essity Mannheim. “They helped us navigate each process challenge and made the implementation easy. We’re very pleased with the results and the continuous collaboration.”

The Mannheim mill, founded in 1884, is positioned as a central pillar in Essity’s sustainability strategy. The addition of the refining solution is intended to support quality improvements while maintaining an energy-efficient approach, according to the company.