MPH1865 starts up Toscotec-supplied low-carbon design tissue machine

Toscotec’s and MPH1865’s teams at Annonay mill in France. Photo: Toscotec

MPH1865 has started up an AHEAD 2.2 tissue line (PM2) supplied by Toscotec on a turnkey basis at their Annonay mill in France. This was Toscotec’s second turnkey supply to MPH1865, after PM1 began production in 2012.

Innovative low-carbon design for top performance 
PM2 has a sheet trim width of 2,800 mm, a design speed of 2,200 m/min and a production capacity of 38,000 tpy. It features Toscotec’s energy efficient technology of TT NextPress shoe press and TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer, and it is the first high-speed tissue machine to operate with an entirely electrical air system with three stages of heat recovery. Toscotec’s high efficiency TT Hoods are equipped with both natural gas burners and electric heaters. The air system is designed to offer three efficient operation modes: gas-heated, electrically heated and a combination of the two, to ensure maximum flexibility in the choice of energy based on availability, cost, and carbon footprint. In full electrical configuration, MPH1865 will eliminate the direct carbon emissions associated with the hood drying process.

Turnkey supply for the strictest performance guarantees 
The supply includes the stock preparation system featuring two complete lines, one for virgin wood fibres and one for waste paper specifically designed to feed both PM1 and PM2, as well as a machine broke line to maximize fiber recovery. Toscotec has supplied its patented TT SAF® DD system (Short Approach Flow with Double Dilution), fiber recovery and water clarification systems, the complete tissue line with electrification and controls, as well as dust and mist removal systems. The scope also included mechanical erection, dismantling and repositioning of key equipment shared between PM1 and PM2, erection supervision, training, commissioning, and start-up assistance. 

Laure Miribel, Deputy CEO of MPH1865, says: “Ten years after the start-up of PM1, we have trusted again in Toscotec for the realisation of a highly innovative project. We are inaugurating a new chapter in the history of our family business, one where we focus on the long-term vision and uphold the key principles of utmost respect for the environment and firm commitment to the local community. The sustainability of our operations from energy to resource usage becomes central to everything we do, and Toscotec’s technology will support us on this journey.”

Gabriele Barattini, Toscotec’s Project Manager, says: “With this start-up, we have achieved a great target both for MPH1865 and Toscotec. The excellent cooperation we had from day one was absolutely key to today’s result. We will soon be completing the installation of the recycled paper line, so as to follow through with a vast project that stands out as a very unique operation in our industry from a sustainability standpoint.”

About MPH1865
Founded by the Miribel family in 1965, the business evolved into MPH1865 under the leadership of Marc Miribel in 1992. Today it is the largest French manufacturer of pure cotton wadding paper labelled Origine France Garantie, as well as producer of non-woven wipes, soaps, and hand hygiene solutions. It operates 4 facilities in the Ardèche department in southern France, including Annonay Pupil paper mill which has a total manufacturing capacity of 60,000 tpy of paper refills for the professional market, round products (hand towels rolls, industrial rolls, toilet paper), and flat products (hand towels).