Koehler’s PM8 produced its first paper

Photo: Koehler

The paper machine at the Kehl plant produced its first paper role on October 22, 2019. A historic day for Koehler on its way into the future.

 

"We are proud of everyone who worked together with us to reach this moment," says Kai Furler, CEO of the Koehler Group. The new Paper Machine 8 has just produced the first tambour. This brings a long construction and planning phase to a close, which began with in-house pilot studies back in February 2017. Furler is looking forward to energetically cornering the flexible packaging paper market.

 

It is an extraordinary day for COO Stefan Karrer, too. He led the planning and implementation of this construction project with an investment volume of EUR 300 million.

The 150-meter-long machine (492 feet) has a working width of 4.2 meters (13.7 feet) and top speed of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) per minute. Its centerpiece is the world's biggest Yankee cylinder with a diameter of 7.3 meters (24 feet). It lends the paper its unique smoothness, which is very important for further processing.

Koehler will use the paper machine to produce paper for flexible packaging. "We are starting a new chapter in Koehler's history," says Furler, who is himself part of this story. He represents the eighth generation of his family. Koehler will produce standard products in the area of coated and uncoated paper, which are used in composites for bags, sachets and other applications.

In addition, Koehler will begin producing barrier paper, which will replace plastic in packaging wherever this is possible and sensible. The company already presented a heat-sealable paper at the packaging trade fair FachPack in September 2019. There is a lot of interest in the market.