Valmet to improve lime kiln efficiency at Heinzel Pöls mill in Austria
Valmet will supply a new stationary lime cooler to the Heinzel Pöls pulp mill in Austria as part of a project aimed at improving lime kiln energy efficiency, reducing maintenance requirements and supporting future production capacity increases. The new stationary cooler will replace the mill’s existing rotary cooler and is scheduled to enter operation during the fourth quarter of 2027.
The new solution will significantly improve heat recovery from hot lime, enabling lower fuel consumption in the lime kiln while also increasing operational reliability by reducing the risk of plugging-related unplanned shutdowns.
“We are continuously investing in keeping our mill competitive and well-performing. Our main targets for this lime cooler investment are fuel savings brought by higher energy efficiency, achieving improved availability by reducing unplanned stops, and the possibility to increase the capacity of the lime kiln. We chose Valmet as our partner in this process based on their experience in similar projects and their technical competence,” said Siegfried Gruber, Head of Project Engineering at Heinzel Pöls.
Valmet explained that the stationary cooler technology provides more efficient cooling of burned lime compared with conventional rotary systems. The recovered heat is reused to preheat incoming combustion air for the kiln burner, contributing to improved overall energy performance. The company also noted that the new design has been developed to simplify maintenance activities and improve operational stability.
“These kinds of improvement projects bring several benefits to our customers. Fuel savings are reached through better heat recovery from the hot lime. Additionally, our stationary cooler is designed for very easy maintenance. We are especially happy about the close cooperation with Heinzel Pöls’ technical team. During the planning phase we worked closely to find the best technical solution to meet the customer’s needs,” said Claus Jensen-Holm, Director, White Liquor and Evaporation at Valmet.
The delivery scope includes engineering, supply of the main equipment, dismantling of the existing cooler, installation, commissioning and operator training.
About Heinzel Pöls
Heinzel Pöls is one of the leading producers of bleached and unbleached softwood sulphate pulp in Central and Eastern Europe. The company’s Orion kraft pulp grades are used in the production of printing and writing papers, tissue products, moulded fibre applications, packaging and specialty papers. The group also produces Starkraft kraft papers at its integrated paper machines in Pöls, Styria, and Steyrermühl, Upper Austria.
