Solenis Adhesive Chemistry Helps Mill Simplify Program and Reduce Costs While Improving Softness

GoalImprove tissue softness program and reduce costs.

<h6>Customer Challenge</h6> <p>A North American through-air-dried (TAD) customer producing bath and towel reached the design limit of drying on a high-speed asset and was interested in maintaining softness while wanting to challenge the only adhesion platform it had known for more than five years.</p> <h6>Recommended Solution</h6> <p>After careful consultation, Solenis proposed a complete replacement of the incumbent adhesive chemistry with an equivalent mg/m²of Crepetrol XCEL 2700. All other chemistries remained the same.</p> <p>Additionally, the use of Solenis&rsquo; OnGuard&auml; VBX vibration monitoring tool would be installed to provide a valuable and real-time appraisal of product performance. Adjustments in all film chemistries including PVOH, modifier and phosphate were permitted as required.</p> <h6>Results Achieved</h6> <p>Within five minutes of the exchange, Crepetrol XCEL 2700 immediately showed a reduction in film mass outside the creped sheet. Vibration spectra began to show a new exposure of cured film layers that had previously laid underneath. The volume of the fiber-film being shed underneath the unchanged creping blade was also visibly greater.</p> <p>By an appropriate increase in the PVOH-to-adhesive ratio and a decrease in the release/modifier dosage, the vibration spectra and the shed conditions on the dryer restored to pre-trial behaviors. Further, given the unique blend of Crepetrol XCEL 2700, the external phosphate dosage was also reduced, and the net result of all chemical changes appeared to give a higher creping temperature at equivalent TAD2 moisture and Yankee dryer steam pressure. &nbsp;</p> <p>The overall effect was one of higher caliper and higher softness off the reel. Performance and ply-bonding in converting was equal to or better than typical.</p>