Office paper is a high tech product, as are the machines using it. Central factors are runability and the print sharpness required for each purpose. Properties which protect the sensitive mechanisms of the machinery are also important. Paper linting and properties which abrade drums must be minimized to decrease the amount of service. Research at the Finnish Kangas paper mill shows that an optimal solution can be reached with three paper grades for the whole range of machines.

The two year modernisation was completed with the implementation of thenew sheeting technology. The modernisation has introduced to the market new office papers which are said to represent the new generation of the industry: Amicus Personal, Office and Professional grades.
The modernisation started in 1994 with the paper hardware. A gap former was developed in the so-called forward end which feeds paper pulp to the production line. With the aid of this equipment consistent quality is achieved on both sides of the paper. Grains are parallel, grain structure even and filler optimally spread. The paper is symmetrical in structure and running properties are improved. Stiffness and brightness are adjusted with suitable combinations of pulp. Pulp sizing improves the paper’s tolerance to humidity and surface sizing reduces dust.
Following research, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) was chosen as the filling agent. Print sharpness can be adjusted with the correct distribution of filler and by modifying the crystal structure. Because PCC does not contain abrasive (quartz) particles it conserves office equipment drums.

Finishing stage also modernised
The second stage of modernisation concentrated on finishing. Will Pemco sheeter line was ordered for sheeting. The technical pioneering of the line is based on the dual slitting cutting method. In addition to precise measuring, the cut is also microscopically unbroken: in a 28-fold enlargement the edge of the paper is still completely sound.
Cutting dust is minimized by dual slitter technology and the remaining cutting dust is removed with suction air. Marketing Manager Markku Uotinen points out that dust causes 30% of printers’ and copying machines’ service costs.
Packing sheets into reams, packing reams in handy boxes and palleting boxes with shrink-wrap instead of so-called stretch wrap also increase user friendliness. The correct structure of ream wrapping prevents loosening of particles of polyethylene which is there for protection from humidity, and they will not jam machine drums. Because there is no direct contact in the package between polyethylene protection and sheets, no static electricity is developed. Thus the sheets do not stick to each other, which would weaken the runability.
Kangas, which belongs to Metsä-Serla Group and which is located in the centre of Jyväskylä is an ecologically beneficial ”City Mill”. It was the first in Europe to be granted a Nordic Swan environment symbol on its products. Amicus papers are fully recyclable. The pulp is bleached by ECF or TCF method depending on the product./ins


PICTURE CAPTIONS:
1. (Sheeting machine)
Amicus papers’ Will Pemco sheeting machine is efficient. It has 13 pockets and cuts simultaneously into sheets paper webs from five - six rolls. Exact measuring, even cut and removal of the last particles of dust are the central factors at this stage. The runability properties of the sheets receive their finishing touches.

2. (Reams, handy boxes and pallets)
Packing of Amicus papers has two objectives. Firstly, properties which the papers have gained in production must be protected from external changes. The other is practicality at all stages: storage, transport and particularly, end use.


Further information:
Kangas Paper Mill
Marketing Manager Markku Uotinen
P.O.Box 148
FIN-40351 JYVÄSKYLÄ, Finland
tel. +358 41 655 211
fax. +358 41 655310








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