ANDRITZ successfully starts up new recycled fiber line at Heinzelpaper Laakirchen, Austria

The conversion process involved transforming the stock preparation system from a deinked pulp line to an old corrugated containers (OCC) line. Heinzelpaper Laakirchen chose a combination of the ANDRITZ FibreFlow drum Prime (FFD) for pulping and ANDRITZ ADuro shredders for reject treatment. This innovative setup ensures superior fiber quality for the company´s high-end products while optimizing resource usage and reducing waste.

Thomas Welt, CEO of Heinzelpaper Laakirchen, commented: “The successful start-up of the new recycled fiber line marks an important milestone. ANDRITZ's advanced technology and expertise have played a key role in meeting our sustainability and efficiency targets.”

ANDRITZ's scope of supply included the FFD, key equipment for screening, cleaning, and reject handling, as well as the rebuild of certain individual components. Additionally, ANDRITZ provided comprehensive engineering services, supervision of the erection process, the start-up, and training.

The FFD pulper, with a feed capacity of up to 2,000 admt/d, is now the largest ANDRITZ FFD in operation in Europe. It features a drum with a diameter of 4.5 meters and an overall length of 46 meters. The drum was delivered in five parts, with the final assembly and integration into the existing infrastructure carried out by skilled ANDRITZ personnel using specialized on-site tools. The integrated recycled fiber (RCF) line, in combination with the FFD 450, can produce an impressive 1,600 tons of high-quality fiber per day, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and sustainability in fiber production.

With this major investment, HEINZEL GROUP once again demonstrates its commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility, further solidifying its role as a key player in the European pulp and paper industry. ANDRITZ is proud to be part of this exceptional project and looks forward to shaping the future of fiber technology together.

About Heinzelpaper
Heinzelpaper comprises the mills Laakirchen and Steyrermühl in Upper Austria, which are located only a few kilometers apart. As part of the HEINZEL GROUP, Heinzelpaper stands for a strong combination of tradition, innovation, and sustainability in paper production.

The Laakirchen mill specializes in the production of environmentally friendly, lightweight corrugated base paper based on recycled paper for the European market. Production takes place on the PM10 paper machine – and since April 2025 also on the new PM11.

About HEINZEL GROUP
HEINZEL GROUP produces market pulp and packaging paper at three locations in Europe and trades in pulp, paper, recycled fiber, and packaging solutions worldwide. With the production companies heinzelpöls, heinzelpaper, and Estonian Cell, HEINZEL GROUP is one of the most important pulp and paper producers in Central and Eastern Europe. The three trading companies of HEINZEL GROUP – heinzelsales, Europapier, and Bunzl & Biach – respond flexibly to the most diverse customer needs internationally. The growth success of HEINZEL GROUP is based on entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on long-term partnerships. Sustainability is the focus of all its activities.

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ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ provides advanced plants, equipment, services, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries, including pulp and paper, metals, hydropower, environmental, and others. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in Austria, the publicly listed group employs about 30,000 people at 280 locations in over 80 countries.

As a global leader in technology and innovation, ANDRITZ is committed to fostering progress that benefits customers, partners, employees, society, and the environment. The company’s growth is driven by sustainable solutions enabling the green transition, advanced digitalization for highest industrial performance, and comprehensive services that maximize the value of customers’ plants over their entire life cycle. ANDRITZ. FOR GROWTH THAT MATTERS.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides sustainable technology, automation, and service solutions for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on increased production efficiency, lower overall operating costs as well as innovative decarbonization strategies and autonomous plant operation.

The product portfolio also includes boilers for power generation, various nonwoven technologies, and panelboard (MDF) production systems. With waste-to-value recycling, shredding and energy solutions, waste and by-product streams from production are converted into valuable secondary raw materials as well as into sustainable resources for energy generation. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.