Fortissue, a leading Portuguese tissue manufacturer owned by Ghost Group (Suavecel,Nunex) , is set to pioneer the industry with Toscotec by upgrading its PM1 machine to be the world’s first tissue machine operating entirely on electricity at 2,000 m/min. Located in Viana do Castelo, Northern Portugal, this groundbreaking project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.
Pioneering zero-carbon design
The upgraded PM1 machine will incorporate Toscotec’s advanced TT NextPress shoe press technology, enhancing its performance and sustainability. Toscotec will implement a fully electrical air system, including the innovative e-powered TT Hood with multiple heat recovery stages. The TT Swing will offer operational flexibility, allowing various modes from full cascading to hybrid, tailored to production needs. Additionally, the TT Turbodryer will utilize recovered heat to improve the shoe press de-watering effect, increasing post-press dryness. The new e-powered TT SteamBooster will generate 100% of the steam needed for the TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer by recovering heat from the hood’s exhaust air and employing high-efficiency electric steam generation.
Significant carbon emission reductions and operational flexibility
The upgraded PM1 machine will operate entirely on electricity, with the option to source power from the Portuguese grid or Fortissue’s renewable solar and wind energy plants. This will result in a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when using grid power, and net zero GHG emissions when using renewable energy for both electric and thermal requirements.
Nuno Ribeiro, Owner of Fortissue, expressed pride in leading the energy transition within the tissue industry. “This groundbreaking project will pave the way for a new generation of production lines with top performance that also meet the sustainability requirements of tissue consumers in the European market and beyond,” said Ribeiro.
Gabriele Romanini, Toscotec’s Sales Manager, highlighted the long-standing partnership with Fortissue. “PM1 was state-of-the-art when it came online, and we are now working to elevate it to a whole new level, making it the first high-performance tissue line in the world to run on green electricity,” said Romanini.
