Specialist Japanese paper manufacturer Kami Shoji Co., Ltd. has taken delivery of ABB's automated testing solution L&W Fiber Tester Plus, which offers quick and easy measurement of fiber quality as well as advanced analysis of fiber morphology. Kami Shoji will use L&W Fiber Tester Plus to conduct defibration testing on its cellulose nanofiber (CNF) paper production to find suitable production conditions.

Defibration is the process of separating wood fibers from each other prior to entering the paper machine. Kami Shoji's production method for CNF paper is known to be more cost-competitive than ordinary chemical defibrated CNF production. The company developed its own special press method which enables faster dewatering time in the production of amorphized CNF paper. It results in a product with the same strength and environmental resistance as chemical CNF paper in oily environments.

Kami Shoji's CNF paper has good elastic deformation to alter the material's shape, which is not possible with regular chemical CNF paper. The paper, having unique strength properties, is expected to be used for structure, insulation and soundproofing material.

The process of making mechanical defibration CNF paper is considered challenging and depends on efficient, accurate visual inspection of the fibers to assess the degree of defibration and the optimum refiner conditions. Using ABB's automated fiber morphology analysis device, ABB L&W Fiber Tester, the customer can observe an average of 20,000 fibers in just ten minutes - something that is impossible with manual inspections using an optical microscope - and produce multiple measurements including the fibril perimeter.

"Kami Shoji has used L&W Fiber Tester Plus extensively for the criteria of fiber conditions required for research and development of CNF paper," said Mr. Shosaku Kashiwada, Ph.D., Acting General Manager of Development Plan Section, Kami Shoji Co., Ltd. "We are very satisfied with the device, which provides extremely valuable measurement results during CNF research."

"ABB L&W Fiber Tester Plus is already being used by major Japanese public institutions in Shizuoka, Gifu and Kochi, where many pulp and paper companies are situated, thanks to its proven ability to quickly and accurately extract valuable raw paper defibration data to inform advanced research," says Hiromichi Yoda, Local Division Manager, Process Industries at ABB in Japan. "ABB is positive about extending collaboration with specialist paper producer Kami Shoji, who will continue to benefit from optimized operation conditions at its facilities, leading to improved quality control, productivity and stable production."

L&W Fiber Tester Plus uses image analysis to measure fiber length, width, fines (primary and secondary), shape factor, microfibrils and coarseness. Software and hardware modules for crill are available as well as software modules for vessel cells, minishives, local deformations (kink) and fiber mix calculations. It also features a deaeration process for more accurate measuring.