The Japanese company Kami Shoji, Ltd., a specialist in paper manufacturing, is producing cellulose nanofiber (CNF) paper with remarkable strength and elasticity, thanks to the mechanical defibration process.

Using ABB’s L&W Fiber Tester Plus, Kami Shoji has significantly improved the efficiency of its paper defibration testing, allowing them to analyze 20,000 fibers within a ten-minute window. This advanced tool offers fast and reliable data, streamlining the testing process for the company.

Kami Shoji recently implemented ABB’s L&W Fiber Tester Plus for CNF paper production, which offers automated fiber quality assessments and detailed fiber morphology analysis. This technology will help Kami Shoji optimize the conditions for producing CNF paper by enhancing their defibration testing capabilities.

The defibration process, which involves the separation of wood fibers prior to entering the paper machine, is crucial for CNF paper production. Kami Shoji’s unique press method, which reduces dewatering time, has proven to be more cost-effective than traditional chemical defibration methods. The resulting CNF paper maintains the same strength and resistance to environmental conditions, such as exposure to oils, as chemically treated paper.

What sets Kami Shoji’s CNF paper apart is its superior elastic deformation, which allows it to adapt to changes in shape, a feature that is absent in chemically defibrated CNF paper. This exceptional strength makes it an ideal material for structural, insulation, and soundproofing applications.

Producing mechanically defibrated CNF paper is a challenging task that relies on precise fiber inspection to determine the degree of defibration and set the optimal refiner conditions. ABB’s L&W Fiber Tester Plus enables Kami Shoji to inspect fibers far more efficiently than manual methods, delivering rapid and accurate measurements that include fibril perimeter.

“Kami Shoji has been utilizing the L&W Fiber Tester Plus extensively to determine the fiber conditions necessary for developing CNF paper,” said Dr. Shosaku Kashiwada, Acting General Manager of Development Plan Section at Kami Shoji Co., Ltd. “We are highly satisfied with the device, which delivers invaluable measurement results during CNF research.”

“ABB’s L&W Fiber Tester Plus has already been adopted by key public institutions in Japan, including those in Shizuoka, Gifu, and Kochi, regions known for their pulp and paper industries,” said Hiromichi Yoda, Local Division Manager of Process Industries at ABB Japan. “This tool’s proven capability to rapidly and precisely provide raw defibration data is essential for advanced research. We are eager to continue our collaboration with Kami Shoji, supporting their optimized operations and enhancing quality control, productivity, and production stability.”

ABB’s L&W Fiber Tester Plus uses image analysis to evaluate fiber length, width, shape, fines content (both primary and secondary), coarseness, and microfibrils. Additional software and hardware modules are available for crill, vessel cells, minishives, fiber mix, and local deformations (like kinks), as well as a deaeration process for more accurate measurements.

L&W Fiber Tester Plus uses image analysis to measure fiber length, width, fines (primary and secondary), shape factor, microfibrils and coarseness. Image ABB

ABB’s Process Automation division focuses on automating, electrifying, and digitizing a wide range of industrial operations, from energy and materials supply to product manufacturing and delivery. With a workforce of approximately 20,000 people and its leading-edge technologies, ABB Process Automation helps its customers across diverse industries to enhance performance and safety, fostering a more resource-efficient and sustainable future.

As a global leader in electrification and automation, ABB drives sustainable, resource-efficient innovation through the integration of engineering expertise and advanced software. With more than 105,000 employees and a legacy of over 140 years, ABB continues to transform industries and accelerate the path towards industrial sustainability.

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