December 15, 2003: The Portucel Soporcel Group resulting from the union of Portucel and Soporcel, is one of the five largest European producers of uncoated wood free paper. With a leading position in the European pulp and paper market, the Portucel Soporcel Group is one of the strongest Portuguese brands worldwide and is recognized as a benchmark for quality within the fine paper sector.
KMH has a substantial amount of experience with paper machine interlocking strategies through involvement with large capital projects, recent paper machine PLC conversions and field experience. KMH is recognized as having specialized expertise with Siemens S5 PLC systems and the application of these PLC's on late 80's early 90's vintage Metso (Valmet) machines. Since PM3 and the Calender of PM1 at Portucel utilize S5 PLC's KMH was deemed a good fit for the job.
KMH completed thorough interlocking audits and provided detailed improvement recommendations to bring interlocking on the machines to "today's" standards. The mill was very impressed with the results of the audit.