2026-04-09 Technological advances help the pulp industry reduce downtime and increase efficiency

São Paulo, BRAZIL.  The growth of the pulp industry in Latin America has driven investment in technologies capable of increasing the efficiency and reliability of operations. Aware of this scenario, Voith Paper has been expanding its portfolio of solutions specifically tailored to this segment, which is considered strategic for the company.

Among the new products are the Infinity ToughLine 6S, a new double-spliced felt developed for applications in pulp machines, and the CellPress, a roll covering solution designed to withstand the critical conditions to the production process. Together, the two products help to reduce machine downtime, and boost productivity.

“Felt is an essential component in the pulp industry, playing a key role in the efficient removal of water and the optimisation of production processes. Modern felts must have a high void volume to efficiently absorb water from the pulp sheet, as well as offering resistance to compaction, chemical exposure and high temperatures,” says Daniel Quintella, Applications and Sales Manager at Voith Paper.

The Infinity ToughLine 6S represents an evolution in the company’s range of felts for the pulp industry. The product features a new generation of the Infinity base with a double splice, which provides greater operational stability and facilitates the installation process. Unlike traditional double seam solutions, the new technology allows better-aligned seams along the entire width of the felt.

In practice, this means greater efficiency when changing the felt and a longer operational timeframe. As replacing this component requires the machine to be shut down — a process that can take up to six hours —, solutions that simplify this step represent significant gains for manufacturers.

“The Infinity ToughLine 6S was developed to offer excellent performance and a longer lifetime. It helps to reduce the number of sheet breaks, which brings direct gains in productivity.” explains Quintella.

Another highlight of the portfolio is CellPress, an exclusive roll cover solution developed by Voith specifically for pulp machines. The product is designed to withstand the severe conditions of the process, in which the rolls are constantly exposed to high temperatures and aggressive chemicals.

These conditions can cause premature wear, leaks and damage to the roll cover, often leading to the need for early replacement. CellPress is specifically designed to increase the durability of these components, extending their service life and enabling longer operational runs.

“The key advantage of CellPress is that it was developed specifically for the needs of the pulp production process. This significantly increases the durability of covers and reduces the risk of failures that could cause unexpected downtime,” says Tiago Chiaratti, Application and Sales Engineer.

In addition to operational gains, the technology also helps to improve safety in industrial plants. By reducing the risk of structural damage to the rolls, the product helps to minimise potential failures that could compromise the integrity of the equipment or endanger operators.

For Voith Paper, the development of solutions such as the Infinity ToughLine 6S and CellPress reflects the company’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the pulp sector, one of the most dynamic markets in the pulp and paper industry in Latin America.

“Manufacturers are increasingly focused on operational reliability. In a sector where a single day of machine downtime can result in significant losses, investing in technologies that enhance process stability is essential,” adds Tiago Chiaratti.

According to the executive, when used together, the two solutions further enhance operational gains. “Infinity ToughLine 6S and CellPress were developed to work in a complementary manner within the production process, helping mills to reduce downtime, increase efficiency and ensure higher quality in the final product,” he concludes.