PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL From invisible losses to measurable gains: Why connecting the right technologies matters more than ever. Nicole Buschmeier, Owner, KPNB

PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL From invisible losses to measurable gains: Why connecting the right technologies matters more than ever. Nicole Buschmeier, Owner, KPNB
INTRODUCTION:
In many paper mills, the biggest losses are not the ones you can see. They are hidden in steam systems that have never been fully
mapped, in fibre suspensions no one has truly “looked into” in real time, in quality variations that are corrected rather than understood, and
in small mechanical components whose failure quietly disrupts production efficiency over time. Operators compensate. Maintenance reacts.
Costs accumulate. And yet, in an industry where margins are tight and pressure on energy, raw materials and sustainability continues
to rise, these “invisible inefficiencies” are no longer acceptable. What has changed in recent years is not only the availability of new
technologies—but the way they can be combined and applied in practice.
This is where KPNB (Komponenten Partner Nicole
Buschmeier), has developed its role significantly. What began as
a network connecting suppliers with paper mills has evolved into a
structured approach to bringing together technologies, expertise and
experience—with one clear objective:
Helping mills achieve measurable improvements without
unnecessary complexity.
From Network to Nexus: A Practical Evolution
For over a decade, KPNB has worked closely with paper
and board producers across the DACH region, focusing not on
selling individual products, but on identifying the right solution for
each specific challenge.
This approach has led to long-standing partnerships with
highly specialised companies such as Tasowheel, Pixact, Lanex and
Anaergia Technologies. More recently, Brenpower AI has become a
key partner in the field of energy monitoring and optimisation.
As the complexity of customer challenges increased, the
idea for close collaboration with like-minded experts developed.
This led to the creation of Fiber Nexus, a joint initiative with PETAX
- Papier Ingenieur Technik GmbH & Co. KG and wolf heilmann
GmbH.
Fiber Nexus is not a formal organisation, but a working
model: a way of combining complementary expertise, coordinating
networks, and responding faster and more effectively to real
problems in the mill environment.
All three companies combine their expertise and networks in
the European market, with a focus on the German-speaking areas.
Understanding the Real Levers in Paper Production
Across the industry, three areas consistently offer the
greatest potential for improvement:
•
Energy effiency, particularly in steam systems
•
Process transparency and control
•
Operational reliability and maintenance
Individually, each of these areas can be addressed with
modern technology. However, the real value emerges when they are
connected.
KPNB’s approach is therefore not to introduce isolated
solutions, but to identify where small, targeted interventions can
unlock significant benefits—often within existing systems.
Seeing What Was Previously Invisible: Process
Transparency with Pixact
One of the most striking developments in recent years has
been the ability to analyse fibre suspensions in real time.
Pixact has introduced online process microscopy that allows
operators to observe particles, fibres and contaminants directly
within the running process. What was previously limited to laboratory
analysis is now available continuously and in high resolution.
Real-Time Contaminant Analysis: Pixact at Sappi Ehingen
In modern pulp and paper production, even small levels of
contamination can lead to significant quality issues, higher chemical
consumption and unstable operation. At Sappi Ehingen, addressing
these challenges has been a key driver for the implementation of
Pixact real-time image analysis.
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