S.B.R. Solutions upgrades steam and condensate system at Cartiera San Martino PM2 in Italy
S.B.R. Solutions has successfully completed the revamping of the steam and condensate (S&C) system on PM2 at Cartiera San Martino in Italy, delivering a solution that enabled the paper mill to significantly increase production while preserving the paper quality that has long distinguished its range of 100% FSC-certified recycled solid board and cardboard products.
The company was involved from the earliest stages of the project, carrying out a detailed audit of the existing installation and working closely with the mill’s management to assess operating conditions and define the objectives of the modernization program.
Although the original steam and condensate system, installed in 1990, was still operating efficiently, the production upgrade required a comprehensive engineering approach capable of combining higher output with the flexibility needed to manufacture more than 100 different grades of board.
S.B.R. Solutions designed and supplied a new steam and condensate system capable of supporting an 18% increase in production while maintaining the drying characteristics essential for consistent product quality. The project also involved integrating new high-pressure drying cylinders into the existing dryer section, which includes an MG dryer, without completely rebuilding the drying section.
A key element of the project was the complete integration of the new steam and condensate system with the paper machine hood ventilation system. This optimized thermal management throughout the drying process and enabled the mill to exceed its initial targets.
The new installation has reduced steam consumption by more than 15% while simultaneously delivering the planned 18% increase in production capacity, improving both energy efficiency and operational performance.
While commissioning of the system was completed smoothly and within a short timeframe, the optimization phase required additional work. Following the rebuild, the paper machine achieved higher-than-expected mechanical efficiency, reducing the amount of water that needed to be evaporated during drying. As a result, the drying section operated at lower steam pressures than originally anticipated.
Working in close cooperation with the technical team at Cartiera San Martino, S.B.R. Solutions fine-tuned the drying curves and optimized system parameters to fully exploit the performance of the upgraded machine while maintaining product quality across the mill’s extensive product portfolio.
