Sappi has expanded its Competence Centre for speciality papers and boards at its mill in Alfeld, Germany, with the addition of a new Paper Lab.
The new facility, which replaces the test line in the climate lab, features advanced technology and is capable of measuring weights ranging from 18g/m to 400g/m².
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It has the capacity to test more than 30,000 jumbo rolls or drums of speciality paper and carton board each year.
After every check, the Paper Lab will assign a certificate to signify the quality of the product.
Sappi claims that the test is based on fibre orientation, formation, air permeability according to Bendtsen, burst pressure and shine according to Tappi 75°.
The Paper Lab will also consider lengthwise / crosswise tearing and lengthwise / crosswise breaking load, as well as thickness, weight and smoothness according to Bekk.
Sappi quality control manager Kristof Mertens said: “In the new Paper Lab, we are testing the key quality parameters of paper production from all five paper machines in Alfeld.
“Even with a wide variety of papers and boards and different weights, absolutely every production batch is subjected to precise measurement to ensure the quality of the batch.
“This means we guarantee our customers a unique level of continuity in our papers and boards that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.”
Image: Sappi Alfeld quality control manager Kristof Mertens. Photo: courtesy of duomedia / Sappi.
