In today’s competitive tissue paper market, consistency in product quality is more important than ever. At the heart of premium quality is one key attribute: brightness. For Oy Essity Finland Ab’s tissue paper mill in Nokia, Finland, achieving optimal brightness levels in a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way has become a reality—thanks to Satron’s real-time brightness measurement technology.
Why Brightness Matters in Tissue Paper Production
Brightness is not just about visual appeal. It influences how consumers perceive hygiene and quality, especially in products like toilet paper, kitchen towels, and napkins. Achieving uniform brightness requires precise measurement and control throughout the production line, especially when using a mix of virgin and recycled fiber.
The Challenge: Efficient Brightness Control with Recycled Fiber
Essity’s mill in Nokia produces tissue products under brands like Lotus, Zewa, and Tork. A significant portion of their production is based on recycled fiber—a more sustainable but variable material. To remove inks and impurities, the mill uses a deinking process followed by optimized bleaching.
“We wish to optimise bleaching, i.e. we do not use unnecessary chemicals because we aim for cost-effectiveness.” explains Harri Nurminen, Automation Manager at the site.
The Solution: Satron VCB – Real-Time Optical Brightness Measurement
After a rigorous evaluation process, Essity selected the Satron VCB analyzer, developed by the Finnish company Satron Instruments Oy. The sensor offers:
- Multi-wavelength backscattering measurement for continuous brightness analysis
- Easy installation and calibration
- Compact design with low maintenance
- Real-time data for process optimization
“Satron’s VCB was easy to install, it is compact, and it is easy to control. It provides diverse opportunities for measurements, and its usability is at an easy level.”, says Project Manager Ossi Ikonen.
Benefits Beyond Brightness
Satron’s optical technology not only ensures brightness accuracy but also supports broader process efficiency:
- Reduced chemical consumption
- Lower energy usage
- Smaller environmental footprint
- Improved calibration workflows between lab and process data
“Satron’s support has been excellent. The technical assistance is always quick and helpful,” adds Petri Menna, Automation Technician at the deinking plant.
Why Essity Chose Satron
The decision was rooted in years of cooperation and trust between the neighboring companies. Ossi Ikonen explains that the company has been very satisfied with the product’s reliability and usability. “Satron’s VCB was easy to install, it is compact, and it is easy to control. It provides diverse opportunities for measurements, and its usability is at an easy level”. But the results speak for themselves — real-time, in-line brightness measurement has enabled:
- Stable product quality
- Faster troubleshooting
- Lower operational costs
The Future of Smart Pulp Monitoring
Satron’s measurement solutions go beyond brightness. Their VC-series analyzers can also measure:
- Consistency
- Freeness
- Kappa
- Fiber length
- Ash content
This modular technology supports digital transformation across the pulp and paper sector—ensuring every mill can optimize performance while reducing waste.