Valmetwill supply key paper machine technology, which includes several upgrading works, to Muda Paper Mills Sdn. Bhd. for its PM 9 in Malaysia. The start-up is scheduled for the second quarter of 2022.
The order is included in Valmet’s orders received in the second and third quarters of 2021. The value of the order will not be disclosed. A project of this size and scope is typically valued at around EUR 3 million.
“We made this investment in order to improve our machine performance and the quality of our products. We chose Valmet for its proven technology and look forward to working closely to make this project a success,” says Chua Hwee Hooi, technical deputy general manager, Muda Paper Mills Sdn. Bhd.
“We are very happy that Muda Paper has chosen Valmet to improve Machine Glazed (MG) Machine PM 9. The task has been challenging because the complete technical and commercial process was done remotely, but we are confident that with our proven hydraulic headbox technology, we will meet the customer’s goals and achieve common success,” says Joanna Hajduk, sales specialist, small and medium machine, Asia Pacific, Paper business line, Valmet.
“We have provided very strong support and prompt response based on customer’s requirements. We have listened to them and found the good solutions as well as fulfilled their expectations,” says Polchai Jungsawat, Corporate Account Manager, South East Asia, Valmet.
Technical details about Valmet’s delivery
Valmet’s delivery will include high technology equipment to improve paper machine performance. The scope also includes a new metalizing MG dryer cylinder, with a construction based on research and stress analysis, producing operating efficiency, energy efficiency, and increased speeds opportunities.
MG dryer will operate with a hood and remote control system, and a transfer box. The design of this transfer box procures a stable distribution of air, and it will be installed before the MG Dryer to avoid any problems of wrinkles and bubbles.
The 3,600-mm-wire width MG machine will produce food packaging grade, wax-based and wet strength base with the basis weight range of 20-60 g/m 2. The design speed will be 800 m/min, and the daily production capacity will be 80 tonnes at a basis weight of 35 g/m 2.
2023 promises an interesting ride for print in India
Indian Printer and Publisher founded in 1979 is the oldest B2B trade publication in the multi-platform and
multi-channel IPPGroup. While the print and packaging industries have been resilient in the past 33 months since the pandemic lockdown of 25 March 2020, the commercial printing and newspaper industries have yet to recover their pre-Covid trajectory.
The fragmented commercial printing industry faces substantial challenges as does the newspaper industry.
While digital short-run printing and the signage industry seem to be recovering a bit faster, ultimately
their growth will also be moderated by the progress of the overall economy. On the other hand book
printing exports are doing well but they too face several supply-chain and logistics challenges.
The price of publication papers including newsprint has been high in the past year while availability is diminished by several mills shutting down their publication paper and newsprint machines in the past four years. Indian paper mills are also exporting many types of paper and have raised prices for Indian printers. To some extent, this has helped in the recovery of the digital printing industry with its on-demand short-run and low-wastage paradigm.
Ultimately digital print and other digital channels will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future. For instance, there is no alternative to a rise in textbook consumption but this segment will only reach normality in the next financial year beginning on 1 April 2023.
Thus while the new normal is a moving target and many commercial printers look to diversification, we believe that our target audiences may shift and change. Like them, we will also have to adapt with agility to keep up with their business and technical information needs.
Our 2023 media kit is ready, and it is the right time to take stock and reconnect with your potential markets and customers. Print is the glue for the growth of liberal education, new industry, and an emerging economy. We seek your participation in what promises to be an interesting ride.
