Recycled Paper Moisture
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Overview
Recycled paper production involves pulping, screening, cleaning, de-inking, refining, sheet forming, pressing, and drying, all of which rely heavily on precise moisture control to ensure consistent sheet quality, energy efficiency, and stable machine performance. Compared to virgin pulp, recycled fibers have greater variability in moisture absorption, contaminant levels, fines content, and fiber bonding strength, making moisture measurement even more critical.
Variations in bale moisture, pulp slurry consistency, and sheet dryness can lead to sheet breaks, poor formation, excessive dryer steam usage, uneven caliper and stiffness, curl, waviness, blistering, delamination, and final moisture out of specification. MoistTech’s IR-3000 NIR sensor provides continuous, non-contact moisture measurement at key points to stabilize recycled paper manufacturing, reduce waste, and improve machine runnability.
Why Measure Moisture
Accurate, real-time moisture monitoring delivers multiple process and product benefits.
Quality Assurance
Energy Efficiency
Reduce Waste
Process Stability
Safety
RECOMMENDED MEASUREMENT LOCATIONS
Recycled Fiber Infeed / Pulper Discharge
Measures incoming bale moisture to help control pulp slurry consistency, refining energy, and water balance through the wet end. Typical bale moisture is 6–15%, and can be higher in humid climates.
Press Section / Pre-Dryer
Measures sheet moisture immediately before the dryer section to enable precise steam and dryer control.
Final Product Verification
Measures final paper moisture to ensure proper sheet strength, printability, and convertibility. Typical final moisture is 4–6% for printing and office grades, 5–8% for packaging grades, and 5–10% for tissue and towel grades depending on softness requirements.
MoistTech’s IR-3000 provides real-time, accurate moisture data at pulper feed, press exit, and final dryer outfeed, helping mills improve quality, reduce energy costs, prevent sheet breaks, and maintain consistent product performance.
Understand the Process
Using the IR-3000, you’ll save money throughout the entire production process, while making the best quality product at the same time. With MoistTech, you don’t need to compromise.