“We try to exploit the strength potential of the softwood pulp to its greatest extent, and to reduce the proportion used”. softwood component of the pulp. It is interesting to note that as a market such as China develops, this need for the expertise Metsä Fibre represents in-house will become more prevalent. THE FINISHING TOUCHES In summing up Metsä Fibre’s tissue- related competences, Niemi sees Metsä Fibre’s Technical Customer Service unit as a particularly helpful resource for tissue producers. “This team is here to ensure that tissue producers benefit from the high quality of our pulp itself,” he points out. “Our Fibre Improvement Tool, for example, uses a large database of pulps to compare their different qualities and arrive at the best ratio and degree of refining by simulating the characteristics of the end result of each different combination.” In the past, such studies would have to be conducted in the laboratory, but the new digital tool has already been of tremendous use for every variety of paper producers. Niemi also highlights Metsä Fibre’s Botnia FORE (Fibre Optimisation and Refining Evaluation) concept. “This is done to ensure that the refining process in the paper machine is working as efficiently as it could be.” The capacity to make savings while improving strength make Technical Customer Services the icing on the cake. “We try to exploit the strength potential of the softwood pulp to its greatest extent, and – as it is the most expensive component – to reduce the proportion used,” says Niemi, wrapping up what appears to be a very attractive package for tissue producers. Figure 5. Tuomo Niemi, Director, Technical Customer Service at Metsä Fibre. WORLD PULP&PAPER 23