Effective Newsprint production with an ultra-low energy consumption

In the current project has the specific energy consumption in the primary refiner been reduced by adding a chemical mixture that consists of sodium hydrosulphite , sodium carbonate and stabilizer. A similar chemical is already used for bleaching pulp and inside the refiner the brightness increase achieved is about 10 brightness units . In the recent period, several studies in the project has demonstrated the potential to reduce energy consumption significantly by improving purification of process water. By reducing the amount of filler which reaches the boiler the energy consumption can be reduced . At the same time it becomes process water that go back to the paper machine cleaner and it reduces energy consumption indirectly while the plant saves a lot financially from the changes

The underlying idea of the innovation is to produce a new and cost-effective newsprint grade with a significantly reduced energy consumption during production and a superior printing performance, in order to increase product margins and maintain Norske Sk ogs position as one of the leading paper producers in environmental performance. To achieve the project goals, major changes must be done in the current up to date papermaking process at Norske Skog Skogn. The project is ambitious and challenging, as tod ays newsprint furnish composition will be modified beyond known limits. The project aims to reduce the overall energy consumption in all process steps in newsprint production; Reduced energy consumption in mechanical pulping and reduced energy consumptio n in the papermaking process. This project will be in the research front when it comes to high filler containing newsprint and the overall ultra-low energy consumption will strengthen Norske Skogs position as one of the international leading paper produ cers in environmental performance. In a market with over production of newsprint, this will give Norske Skog huge competitive advantages when it comes to environmentally friendly newsprint production.