Matching Wood Fibre Characteristics to Pulp and Paper Processes and Products, 1993 Pulping Conference Proceedings

With the increasing emphasis on product quality and the development of specialty niche pulp and paper products, the need to carefully regulate the mix of fibre to Tasman Pulp and Paper’s various mill processes was identified. From May 1990 through July 1990 a taskforce team investigated the wood flow from forest to process with the objective of developing a system to allow the optimisation of the allocation, flow and quality of the annual pulp fibre supply.

The recommended system was introduced in early 1991 and although it is still not fully operational, due to supplier constraints, substantial improvements in wood flow consistency, process control and product quality have been realised. Additionally, the existence of a wood segregation system has enabled us to manage our way through a major change in our wood supply mix over the past two years. There are further potential gains to be realised as we fine tune and develop the fibre segregation and control system.