MOTOR MAKER HELPS BUILD SUPER-SUSTAINABLE PAPER INDUSTRY
26/09/2013 Rotor (UK) Limited / Regal Beloit UK
When one of the world's most innovative paper producers wanted to build a new mill it relied on global motor maker Regal to coordinate supply of a range of different motors to driven equipment manufacturers across two continents. Double A Paper also wanted to use the project to simultaneously develop turnkey projects expertise in its own engineering team in Thailand. Regal was delighted to assist in this added dimension, taking the concept of integrated motor supply a stage further than had previously been achieved.Double A has developed a new paper manufacturing technology that moves away from the environmentally damaging traditional practice of using 50+ year old trees as the main raw material. Usually forests are clear felled, which destroys bio-habitats and in tropical regions can lead to devastating soil erosion and disastrous mudslides. Instead trees are farmed through a sustainable program called Paper from KHAN-NA, in small groups on unused agricultural land between paddy fields and other cash crops. They are harvested at 3-5 years old as part of a rotational replanting program. This avoids the despoliation of large tracts of lands, maintains habitats, provides small scale farmers with diversification opportunities, protects natural forests and is completely sustainable - economically, agriculturally and ecologically.
Double A is recognized by the world's foremost Marketing Guru, Prof. Philip Kotler for its high quality paper and continued social and environmental contribution through Paper from KHAN-NA program. Paper from KHAN-NA alleviates poverty among 1.5 million Thai farmers and their close-knit families. Double A has also expanded this scheme to neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Paper from KHAN-NA is reckoned to save 6.7 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide, a greenhouse gas, per year while producing 4.9 million tonnes of atmospherically beneficial Oxygen a year. The trees also help to lower local humidity.
Regal, and its dedicated large motor operation Marathon Electric were asked to supply over 200 motors of high, medium and low voltage for the project. Each motor required some level of individual engineering and commissioning, particularly the larger ones. For instance, some needed to be able to produce very high starting torques as they were to be used in conjunction with high-powered vacuum blowers, while others needed to be able to accelerate and decelerate very smoothly as they are winding and unwinding fragile newly made paper. All motors had to meet set standards for energy efficiency, noise emissions, electrical safety etc and had to demonstrate outstanding reliability for use in such a humid and remote location.
Marathon motors are designed and built to be exceptionally energy efficient. As many of those installed in the Double A paper mill run almost constantly their energy saving effect quickly multiples up. This helps Double A contain its manufacturing costs and also benefits the environment by producing less carbon dioxide. The motors are also noted for their long service life and are expected to run for many, many years before needing replacement, thus providing another environmental benefit. Older motor technologies were less energy efficient and less reliable in the long term, while their greater maintenance needs reflected into running costs.
Delivery of the motors was conducted with great precision. Each had to be identified with the OEM who was building the different elements of the plant and dispatched to the correct location. For instance the vacuum blowers were made by Mann International in Germany; pumps were sourced from Sulzer Pumps, headquartered in Switzerland or Andritz Pumps of Germany, while the sectional drives were built by PMT from Italy. More motors were sent to Thailand, China and Fiji where other machinery for the mill was being manufactured.
Marathon sent commissioning engineers to the OEMs for machine commissioning in the first stage of the project, and then later to Thailand to the new mill for installation commissioning. As well as helping install the motors, they were also nurturing the Double A engineering team so that the plant would have first class on-site technical back-up for many years to come. These local engineers would, naturally, become stalwarts of the local community and economy, so their training had many social dimensions as well as technical expertise.
Thailand, in common with many developing nations, is creating a world-class economy in a generation. It has to go from centuries-old subsistence farming to modern manufacturing - with its demands for quality, productivity, safety and environmental sustainability - in a time span of just a few years. In this way it is lifting millions of people out of poverty and laying the foundations for future health, education and well-being. Regal and Marathon are proud to be assisting in these noble aspirations.
About Double A
Double A is a global leader in premium copy paper and is one of the most advanced fully integrated pulp and paper manufacturers in the world. Double A produces high performance, super smooth Double A paper which is available in more than 120 countries worldwide. Double A copy paper is produced from Farmed Trees grown by over 1.5 million contract farmers in Thailand. Double A's pulp and paper production practices set an industry benchmark in environmental responsibility. Double A's unique Farmed Trees initiative save precious old growth forests from logging. Trees are planted in open areas between and around rice fields and other crops, thereby maintaining the natural biodiversity. For more information about Double A, please visit www.DoubleApaper.com
For more information, please contact:
Lucie Hodkova
Regal UK/ Rotor (UK) Limited
Unit 8
16 Everitt Close
Denington Industrial Estate
Wellingborough
NN8 2QF
Tel: +44 (0)1933 230900
Fax: +44(0)1933 220069
Email: lucie.hodkova@rotor.co.uk
Web: www.rotor.co.uk
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