A project supported by Mondi, the new “Christian Doppler (CD) Laboratory for Fibre Swelling and Paper Performance” was officially opened 11 January 2016. The laboratory headed by Ulrich Hirn was set up in cooperation with the Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) and the industry partners Océ Holding B.V (Netherlands), a leading producer of digital printing machinery, especially in the field of high-speed inkjet printing and Mondi, the international packaging and paper Group.
The team of the CD Laboratory will investigate swelling and de-swelling processes during paper production, printing and converting. Ulrich Hirn explains that, “in modern high-speed inkjet printing presses the fibre swelling is crucial: less swelling means faster drying but fibre swelling also has a positive impact on paper stability. Based on our investigations we will develop simulation models of the different processes. We aim to find solutions to further improve the paper, the printing including inks and equipment as well as the converting in close collaboration with our industrial partners”.
At the opening ceremony, Harald Kainz, Rector of TU Graz, and sponsoring partner representatives Leo Arpa from Mondi and Michael Pohlt from Océ pointed out the positive elements of this collaboration of science and industry. They specifically highlighted the development of meaningful results for the industry, the creation of a powerful network of expertise for solving industrial and scientific questions, and the development of a talent pool of young technicians and scientists available for the industry.
