Smurfit Kappa Parenco appreciates the predictability of Valmet’s forming fabrics

Parenco paper mill is located in Renkum, the Netherlands, where it has produced paper for over 110 years. Since 2018, Parenco has been part of the Smurfit Kappa Group. The mill’s main products are containerboard and graphical paper.

The history of Parenco and Valmet’s PMC goes back forty years. Parenco was one of Valmet’s first paper machine clothing customers abroad, as the deliveries of forming fabrics, dryer fabrics and press felts started in the 1980’s. Mr. Jacques van der Eerden, Assistant Production Manager of the mill’s PM2, has personally been involved in the cooperation since 1987.

Our top priorities for a paper machine clothing supplier are product quality and customer service. Valmet’s fabrics have proven their runnability and predictable performance, and we’ve also been very satisfied with the technical expertise and mentality of Valmet’s staff,” van der Eerden says.

Valmet Forming Fabric OP has contributed significantly to the production line’s efficiency

Parenco’s PM2 went through a rebuild from newspaper grades to containerboard in 2016. Today, the production line’s annual capacity is around 400 000 tons of brown testliner and recycled fluting. Since its start-up, Valmet has been a significant supplier of forming fabrics to the reborn PM2. Up to date, close to 50 Valmet Forming Fabric OP products have been delivered. 

Mr Jacques van der Eerden, Assistant Production Manager, Smurfit Kappa Parenco PM2

 “At start-up, we did have a minor technical hiccup with the forming fabric at the top position, but with open discussion and dedicated work the challenges were overcome. With their improved performance, Valmet’s forming fabrics have contributed significantly to the efficiency of PM2 ever since. For example, the number of breaks has decreased, especially during the grade changes and the production line’s output records have been reached with Valmet’s fabrics,” van der Eerden recalls.

“As we all know, troubleshooting is required every now and then, and Valmet has been able to support us very well during all these years with some extraordinary highlights on their track record, as well. All in all, I value the close partnership with such a competent partner very much,” he continues.

Papermaking is about continuous development

Van den Eerden believes that the packaging paper market continues to grow, but that companies will be urged to continuously develop their operations to consume, for example, less water and energy. Further weight reductions will also be needed to save raw materials and to make the products more sustainable.
“Naturally, we expect our partners to proactively develop their products to support our targets. However, when it comes to paper machine clothing, it’s equally important to have products you can rely on,” van den Eerden says.

Interview: Pascall Schuivens
Text: Marianne Valta 
Photo: Pascall Schuivens