Technical article
Trusted partner for new wood-based processes
Sulzer is a company with long and solid experience and proven expertise in several important customer segments. Pulp, board and paper processes and applications as well as new ones based on wood raw materials represent high-priority commitment and partnership areas for the business and product development organization of Sulzer Pumps Finland.
Sulzer is globally specialized in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation and application technologies for fluids of all types. We serve our clients worldwide through customer front-end experts, production sites, and a customer service network that provides qualified services for the entire product life cycle.
The Flow Equipment division specializes in pumping, mixing, agitation and aeration solutions specifically engineered for the processes of our customers. Intensive research and development in fluid dynamics, process-oriented applications, products and special materials as well as reliable intelligent service and performance improvement solutions support the company to maintain its forerunner position in its focus market segments like oil and gas, power, pulp, paper, board, chemicals, water and wastewater.
The main Sulzer competence center with the world’s biggest full-scale research facility for the pulp, paper and board segment and for new process applications based on wood raw materials is located in Kotka, Finland.
Thus, the main product platforms for these industries are developed in Finland, where we have strong roots reaching back to the Ahlstrom Pumps era. The main manufacturing units for Sulzer products for these markets are also in Finland, but our global factory footprint covers all main regions.
Deep applications understanding is the key for clever and high-performance suspension transfer and treatment solutions. We are an independent equipment supplier and a trusted application solver, but you can never be strong if you try to work on your own. Our knowhow and product reliability are based on close cooperation with the world’s leading pulp, paper and board producers, machinery suppliers, engineering companies and research institutes.
Now is the time for even more active and committed partnerships. The growth rate in the tissue and packaging boards markets is high. The increase in pulp demand continues to be strong for board, tissue and other hygienic products, and it will accelerate for textiles.
Forest companies, research institutes and other players in the industry are actively investigating and developing new processes for additional products based on higher-value wood raw material. Such developments are, for example, to replace cotton and oil-based synthetic fibers like polyester or to produce higher-value carbon products and modified cellulose materials for packaging barriers, coatings for medicines, and nutrients. The pulp, board, tissue and paper segments offer a very interesting and important scope together with new additional wood-based future products. We are committed to this new development.
Strategic and committed partnerships and long-term development forums with pilots and demos are of crucial importance for coping with the fascinating future potential.
The knowledge accumulated through committed long-term research and development as well as through mergers and acquisitions has strengthened Sulzer’s pump know-how and further enabled full-scale research for the development of pumps, mixers and agitators. As the home of the following known trademarks we serve the installed equipment base also beyond Sulzer: Ahlstrom Pumps, Scanpump, ABS, Ensival Moret, Serlachius, Enso, API, Sonesson, Gothia, JMW and Warren.
With our full-line product portfolio, we offer the most ecoefficient product solutions, including products for complete water and effluent treatment applications. We introduce a new product series or a major upgrade to an existing range every year.
- The AHLSTAR pump series has proven performance with stocks and various types of suspensions and especially with high-volume flows and liquids containing a high amount of gas.
- The MCE™ medium consistency pumping systems combine excellent performance with energy savings for the highest pulp mill production rates in the world.
- ZPP low-pulse feed pumps are designed specifically for paper and board machines.
- The MBN multistage pumps cover a range of highpressure and shower water applications.
- SALOMIX™ and Scaba agitators offer optimum tank and tower mixing results.
- The TMS tower management system prevents channeling in storage towers, providing unique process advantages.
Now it is possible to turn pumps into smart, interconnected devices. With our new Sulzer Sense wireless condition monitoring solution, the operators can take care of their equipment in an easy, safe and smart way. The system is designed to measure temperature and vibration. The data is sent to the cloud and can be monitored in our PumpsOnline service on a mobile, tablet or laptop anywhere and anytime. The solution supports predictive maintenance and helps to avoid sudden pump failure and eventual downtime. No manual measurement is required, and this saves time and improves safety at the site. We will continue to develop further predictive maintenance algorithms, machine learning and smart asset management functionalities to maximize the added value for the customers.
Sulzer is the key equipment supplier for many major recent pulp, paper and board mill investments in countries such as Finland, Sweden and Brazil. For example, Metsä Group’s new Äänekoski bioproduct mill has 400+ Sulzer equipment applications in key process positions throughout the main mill departments.
Please also note that the huge-capacity Sulzer MCE™ medium consistency pumping systems, developed and manufactured in Finland, manage the pulp flows through the most modern pulp mill fiber lines in the world.
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