CAMPEN Machinery A/S has developed a new type of airlaid forming head and hammer mill system designed for robust forming processes. The new technology is measured to use significantly lower energy than similar systems as well as the possibility to process biodegradable fibers. Campen is currently building new pilot test facilities to demonstrate the new technology. The new Campen airlaid forming system has already been sold to customers, one of whom is a global Fortune 500 company.

Based on  current developments in the airlaid industry and customer demands towards more biodegradable products and less energy-demanding machinery, Campen has developed a new airlaid fiber forming technology. Thorough testing of Campen’s innovative system shows that it requires 45% less process air and filter system and uses 55% less energy. At the same time, Campen customers are able to process natural and manmade fibers from 1.5 to 18 mm in fiber length such as bicomponent fibers, PP/PET/viscose fiber blends as well as recycling fibers from textiles, cardboard boxes, newspapers, wood pulp, natural fibers, glass, stone-based fibers and more. The new forming head design and process can be integrated together with wetlaid and other drylaid fiber forming technologies. The basic weight range for the new forming head technology is from 10 to 10,000 g/m², working width from 600-6000 mm and line speeds up to 250 m/min. or more.

 

Jens Erik Thordahl, Campen’s airlaid specialist and partner, states in connection with the new forming technology: “We are very pleased that we can finally confirm the development and sale of this groundbreaking, new forming head system, which is pending for patent. We have undergone thorough and complex testing of the system here in Denmark, as well as with our customer, and the tests in question were very promising. The new fiber forming technology has proven to reduce energy consumption and requires less space than traditional forming heads. Moreover, it is easy to operate, and it comes with low operating and maintenance cost.”

 

Campen is currently building new pilot test facilities at the headquarters in Hornslet, Denmark which will give customer the ability to demonstrate the new airlaid forming technology as well as many other advantages. Jens Erik Thordahl explains: “Having our own hosted testing facility means that we can become even better to advise our customers on improving their existing production and innovative products as they can see instant results. The new testing facility will also make it possible for customers to take home actual rolls of the new product for further testing.  Moreover, we ensure highest confidentiality to our customers when testing new products.”

The first part of the testing facility is already completed and consists of a hammer mill test unit. Later this year, the hammer mill and a winder will be connected to the new airlaid forming head system.