February 14, 2020

Paper making

There are quite a few steps to the process of turning trees into premium office paper with extraordinary sustainability credentials. The article "How pulp is made" covers the first part of paper making and here’s part two – presenting how we go about, turning pulp into Multicopy office paper at Nymölla Mill.

Pumpable pulp

We prepare the pulp for the paper machine by grinding it and thereafter adding water, fillers and chemicals. (The chemicals are approved by The Nordic Swan and the EU-Ecolabel which are organizations with strict requirements.)

• The pulp is mixed to the point where it comprises 99 percent water and 1 percent fibre, fillers and chemicals. 

In the paper machine

• When the pulp is pumped into the paper machine, the water is removed gradually as it progresses through the machine’s wires, felts and rolls. The paper does now consist of 4 % water. Easily said, paper making is about removing water from the pulp.

• It passes through:
- the wet section
- the press section
- pre-drying section
- the size press
- the post-drying section 

Advanced systems, trained eyes

• Before the paper is finished, it is calendered to produce a fine, smooth surface that is ideal for printing.

• Parameters such as brightness and grammage are measured constantly and automatically during manufacture. All stages are computer-controlled and carefully monitored by the production staff.

• These experts rely on more than just technology. Trained eyes take a look on the light table to make sure there are no irregularities. Skilled hands feel the quality and know immediately if something is not right.