Energy is saved, productivity is improved
There is a solution to the increasing energy costs of the paper and pulp industry, says Kimmo Loippo, CEO of Runtech Systems Oy. The rapidly growing innovation company has developed, in addition to energy-saving vacuum systems, patented solutions to improve the productivity of paper machines.
Founded in 1997, Runtech Systems has three main product areas: RunPro main export products that improve paper machine usability and productivity, RunEco vacuum system products that save energy and water, and RunDry doctoring and dewatering products that improve dry matter content and thus paper machine runnability.
The company's sales last year were 12 million euros, a growth of one hundred percent compared to the previous year.
CEO Kimmo Loippo says that the company's strong growth is based on focus and strong product development.
Sales Director Antti Puurunen According to the company, customer feedback has played a significant role in the development of new products.
– We have gained a reputation among customers as an approved and reliable supplier.
As an example, he mentions the Stora Enso factory being built in Poland, where the customer chose a vacuum system supplied by Runtech.
Lower energy consumption
According to Puurunen, a reputation as a reliable supplier also facilitates access to the customer's factory processes and their evaluation.
– We can tell the customer on site how much savings or production efficiency can be achieved with our products – and with what kind of payback period. For example, if the installed power of the vacuum system is four megawatts, we can cut energy consumption by half with turbo blowers, which has been a pleasant surprise for many customers.
According to Puurunen, the customer is ready to invest in improvement measures if the investment has a payback period of 1-2 years.
More efficient production
In recent years, paper machines have grown larger and faster, which has increased their energy consumption. At the same time, the price of energy has risen.
The papermaker must therefore find the optimal dewatering in the processing of paper pulp. The vacuum level also has a bearing on the machine's production efficiency and paper quality. Therefore, reliable dewatering measurements and a controllable vacuum system are essential for optimal process control. In addition to electricity, the new Runtech vacuum systems save water.
Correctly selected and safely functioning main output devices, in turn, save time during machine startup and restart after faults, and increase machine productivity.
Exports are growing
Three-quarters of the company's products are exported.
Currently, the largest export areas are in Europe and North America. Loippo estimates that the company's future growth rate will be around 20 percent. The largest new markets are in Asia: South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, China, Thailand and India.
