Advancing Leadership in Pulp and Paper Manufacturer of the Future Industry
Once, the paper industry was urbanized by consuming the raw materials from the woods aging over 50 years from the natural forests; however, Advance Agro has developed the new technology for paper manufacturing for the future industry derived from the initiative of the simultaneous development of Thai agriculture. Advance Agro is realizing that Thai agriculture is the main foundation of the country for producing agricultural woods to be used as the raw materials in paper industry. With the advantages in geographic, climate and the ability and experience of Thai farmers, we can use planted woods aging 3-5 years to be our permanent materials and decline to use the raw materials from the natural forests. “Advance Agro” is the first integrated manufacturer in Southeast Asia to be certified with ISO 14001 environmental management standard from AJA EQS, English in 1997 after Prime Minister’s Award for industrial excellence for outstanding performance in the field of environmental conservation.
The Mill of Tomorrow
The conventional pulp and paper industry is closely dependent on the use of more than 50-year-old trees felled from the natural forest. However, Advance Agro obtains its raw material from 3-5-year-old cash crop plantation trees, which are grown in abundance from our geographically and advantageous locations in Thailand. This is further enhanced by the expertise and long experience of our Thai farmers that makes the plantation raw material sustainable to serve the pulp and paper industry without damaging or destroying the natural forest, thus, maintaining ecological balance. “Advance Agro” is the first integrated pulp and paper manufacturer in Southeast Asia to be certified for ISO 14001 environmental management standard. This followed the Prime Minister’s Award for industrial excellence for outstanding performance in the field of environmental conservation.
Development of Raw Materials through Genetic Engineering
 Best quality products come from best quality raw materials. Advance Agro’s raw materials are the result of more than 17 years of committed research. Our high-quality fast growing trees are continually tested and improved though the use of genetic engineering.
Advance Agro continues to enhance the properties of these fast growing trees. The most desirable genes are cultivated in the tissue culture laboratories. This method ensures uniform quality seedlings which guarantee high standard tree prototypes.
Best Technologies throughout the Production Processes
 Advance Agro Paper Mills combine the most advanced technology of today’s paper production industry-whether in terms of machinery or production techniques. Our machineries have an on-line computerized quality control system. This automatic system monitors the entire process of production, from pulp to paper roll. Additionally, the latest in surface treatment technology-Rod Metering-produces an enhanced, even and smooth uncoated paper quality.
Advance Agro employs the most advanced paper coating technology engineered by one of the world’s leading paper producers. A special Coat Weight Profile control system closely monitors the paper coating process and a state-of-the-art online control system ensures that the coating mix is applied evenly across the paper.
 The most important properties of printing and writing paper are opacity and brightness. These properties depend on the quality of calcium carbonate as filler, used during production. Advance Agro has its on-site Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) plant which produces fine crystals of consistent quality. This results in the better whiteness and even opacity on the paper.
To ensure that our paper products meet international standards, a Quality Control System (QCS) is set up to monitor important production stages from base paper production, coating to calendaring processes. Scanners take measurement of various properties such as weight, humidity, thickness, colour and glass. Every square centimeter of paper is thoroughly examined at the various production stages to achieve high quality paper.
Thailand’s Pulp & Paper Revolution from Importer to Exporter
 Advance Agro is one of the largest producers of printing and writing paper in Thailand. Its high-quality papers are distributed across worldwide market. The production of high quality, international standard products in a world-scale, state-of-the-art facility-these factors are reshaping the future outlook of Thailand’s pulp and paper industry. From an importer, Thailand is posed to become a major exporter in a region which has the highest economic growth in the world.
Sustainable Resources and Environmental Conservation
In order to protect our previous environment, Advance Agro is dedicated to selecting environmentally friendly processes and technologies. From the start, we research and select hybrid trees which yield high quantities of high quality pulp. Our trees make use of the available solar energy. Empty fields are turned into tree plantations which can be likened to a solar energy plant. The plant’s raw material is carbon dioxide. The gas is transformed into wood for pulping and during that process; oxygen is released into the earth’s atmosphere.
 State-of-the-art technology is used in everyday operations, including an Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching process which does not harm the environment. The bleaching process requires minimal water consumption of 6-7 cubic metres of water per ton of pulp.
Advance Agro does not rely on gas or oil for its power production. The agricultural and waste by-products generated during pulp and paper production are used to generate power for the Mills. These include tree bark wood waste, husks, lignin from pulp cooking and sludge from effluent treatment prods. Utilization of waste by-products optimizes use of raw materials and helps conserve the environment.
|
prev 