PBA, two paper mills, one goal: meeting our clients’ needs

PBA, two paper mills, one goal: meeting our clients’ needs

PBA proudly features two productive sites, over 300 employees, and three continuous machines, which differ in mechanics and design. These allow our group to approach different markets and ship our cardboard to more than 80 countries all over the world. The main uses for our paperboard are: paper for the production of spiral and in-line tubes, edge protectors, envelopes, laminated paper, layer pads, Tissue cores, paper for corrugates, and honeycomb panels. Our group’s strength is the study and implementation of unique systems: Cartiera dell’Adda features one of the largest trim widths (4400mm) for grey cardboard in all of Europe, with a production rate of one train per hour. ICP has two systems that can produce grey paperboard, but also white/white and white/grey, which is particularly appreciated for cores in the Tissue sector.

We put a significant amount of care into the technical specifics of our cardboard, notably: we can provide cardboard with a minimum weight of 140 g/m² and a maximum of 990 g/m², considering the three systems. Consequently, our paperboard’s thickness can start at 210 microns and reach up to 1500 microns.

We create dedicated products to meet all of our clients’ needs by altering certain characteristics.

Thanks to the end-of-machine rewinders, one of which was built by our group’s company Tecno Paper, and thanks to our external cutting centre, we can cut reels up to a minimum of 45mm, and create layer pads in sizes between 400x400mm and 1600x1600mm.

Another basic aspect that our group greatly focuses on is the Research and Development sector, with special attention on sustainability – we only use paper from domestic and industrial waste, with a pre and post-consumer ratio of over 4:1. In 2023, the group used about 300’000 tons of pulp for the production of our paperboard. But PBA’s “green” side doesn’t only come from raw materials – Cartiera dell’Adda features a biomass cogeneration plant which uses wood chips from public and domestic cleaning of forests and green spaces to produce energy and gas for paper production. Furthermore, Cartiera dell’Adda features an aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment plant, which allows us to obtain biogas for our productive site. The adjustments to the dryers and calenders of the ICP plant allowed for an increase in hourly production, and an increase in paper quality.
All of the productive procedures are improved to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, as well as using less clear water than the average – almost the entirety of the water we use is re-introduced into the productive cycle, thus reducing our environmental impact. The group also boasts various certifications, among the most important are: 100%FSC, ISO9001, ISO 14001, and ISO45001.

PBA supports the Master’s Degree Programme “Technology and production of paper and cardboard”

Master's Degree Programme “Technology and production of paper and cardboard”

PBA will support the Master in “Technology and production of paper and cardboard” held by the University of Pisa (UNIPI) and promoted by the Cassa di Risparmio Foundation of Lucca. This programme is one-of-a-kind in Italy, and was created to respond to the needs of the paper and corrugated cardboard industry by educating highly specialized engineers in a sector that combines advanced technology and sustainability. 

This master’s degree was designed to train professionals who can manage and innovate complex processes which are typical in this industry. The goal is to create interdisciplinary skills which range from design and chemical procedures to automation, digitalization, energy, and circular economy – fundamental elements for the evolution towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In this framework, the programme represents the culmination point of an educational chain that covers every academic level, contributing to the reinforcement of the local paper and paper converting district.

PBA’s collaboration with this master’s degree reflects the importance of creating synergies between industry and education, with the aim of supporting innovation and promoting a sustainable growth in the sector. This commitment finds its expression also through the active participation of qualified professionals. Among these, Elena Troia – PBA energy manager – who has been a teacher at this master’s for many years. This year too she will hold lessons, offering a precious contribution based on her direct experience in the sector. 

Applications for the Master in Technology and production of paper and cardboard are open from 24th July to 31st December for students of the European Community. For more details, please check the website: https://epc-masterdegree.it/

Sustainability, care, and concern for the environment: the values of our Group.

esperienza, innovazione e rispetto dell'ambiente: i valori di PBA

Sustainability, care, and concern for the environment: only a few among the values of our Group, which cherishes not only the company’s development, but also the impact that its choices can have on the territory. Preserving the future, treasuring resources, and respecting the world we live in, all represent aspects of the utmost importance, just as much as the business aspect. From power consumption to emissions, from how much water is used in the production systems to recycling: PBA’s engagement in the protection of the environment is meticulous and in constant growth.

One example is the exclusive use of recycled paper for the production of paperboard, sourced from domestic and industrial waste. This choice, in fact, allows us to reduce the demand for natural raw materials – also indirectly reducing how many trees are cut down – thanks to the use of a unique technology, both in the paper mixture preparation, as well as in production.

The technological development in a sustainable perspective is not for nothing one of Paper Board Alliance Group’s main focus points. In fact, the Group has many highly specialized characters who cooperate in an entirely dedicated sector.

The politics relating to plastic material have become more and more demanding, and have increased the production of paper and modified its composition; in fact, paper has a bigger percentage of impurities today compared to the past. Having professionals in the industry who are always updated, and who handle research and development is therefore fundamental for our ever-expanding companies, but always in a green perspective. This represents a boost towards new avantgarde projects, with ambitious goals like recovering all the fiber present even in the most difficult mills, and in the worst quality materials.

Thanks to years of study and experience, our Group’s companies today have achieved great results. Cartiera dell’Adda, for example, is able to produce one ton of paper using only 220kWh of energy: one of the lowest values in Europe. Cartiera dell’Adda uses renewable sources to produce energy and has a biomass power plant fueled by wood chips, recovered at 60% from public and private prunings, and at 40% by cleaning the forests. A solution that not only allows to have CO2 impact equal to zero, but also contributes to preventing hydrogeological disasters and creating jobs.

In terms of water used in production, the numbers are excellent as well. To produce 1kg of paper, a company like Cartiera dell’Adda only uses 5 litres of water, compared to the Best Available Technology which expects 5/12 litres per kg of paper. Thanks to the integrated cycle of water in the productive process, 95% of water used is recycled, while only 5% is fresh water.

A guarantee to the care for the territory on the part of our companies are all the certifications that prove compliance to current regulations, for example on waste management, on the protection of the environment, and on work safety and health. These are acknowledgements of reliability, transparency, and observance of the law requirements, but also of PBA’s will to improve more and more every day, investing resources to protect the environment, and support local communities where the activities reside.