ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Essity and Tostotec have announced the completion of what they claim to be the world's first tissue machine running solely on geothermal steam.

The machine, located at Essity's Kawerau site in New Zealand, is said to achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions because it replaces natural gas burners with a geothermal drying system.

"We are very proud to be efficiently operating the first tissue machine in the world running solely on geothermal steam," said Essity project manager Matthew Bain.

"Essity continues to set new standards in sustainable tissue production so that we can offer our customers and consumers climate-friendly products."

The steam-powered machine is said to offer increased production capabilities and an improved product range capability as well as reducing carbon emissions. It uses the TT Short Approach Flow system, a patented technology designed to allow mills to cut energy consumption and reduce installation space.

In the drying area, geothermal steam tapped from the ground is used by the machine's TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer and the steam-heated TT Hood.

Toscotec is an Italian company specialising in equipment for the tissue and paper and board industries. The company is committed to developing energy-efficient technologies and focuses on systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use renewable energy.

Project manager Stefano Raffaelli said: "Decarbonisation and energy efficiency upgrades are in our DNA and we are pleased to see that they can really be a key factor for existing tissue lines."