Is Multi-Ply the Answer?, 2001 Papermakers Conference Proceedings

Multi-ply board enables paperboard producers to meet the demands of today’s marketplace for continuing product improvement and increased profitability. A forming section rebuild to produce multi-ply board consisting of separately formed plies will improve board appearance, board performance, reduce furnish cost, and provide flexibility to adapt to changes in the marketplace.

A multi-ply paper machine rebuild begins with establishing grade mix objectives, sheet structure requirements, and selecting forming equipment technology. Multi-ply forming technologies to separately form board plies include multiple fourdriniers, twin wire formers, or a combination of both. A multi-channel hydraulic headbox provides another option to form a layered ply with either a fourdrinier or twin wire former.

The conversion of an existing forming section to a multi-ply configuration requires solutions to issues concerning equipment space, forming equipment support, and shutdown duration. Solutions to these issues that have been utilized to rebuild a paper machine to produce multi-ply board are presented.