Fortissue launches world's first fully electric tissue machine in collaboration with Toscotec
Portuguese tissue producer Fortissue, in partnership with Toscotec, has successfully completed the full upgrade of its PM1 tissue machine, making it the first in the world to operate entirely on electricity at a speed of 2,000 m/min.
A global milestone in carbon-free tissue production
Originally commissioned in 2015, the Toscotec-supplied AHEAD 2.0 line has undergone a transformative retrofit aimed at dramatically improving its environmental footprint. The revamped machine now features a fully electric air system, including an e-powered TT Hood equipped with multi-stage heat recovery. The TT Swing system provides operational flexibility, allowing the line to switch between full cascading and hybrid drying modes.
To further enhance energy efficiency, Toscotec integrated its TT Turbodryer, which repurposes recovered heat to boost the shoe press’s dewatering capacity, increasing dryness after the press section. The newly added e-powered TT SteamBooster captures exhaust heat from the hood to generate all the steam required for the TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer, supplemented by high-efficiency electric steam generation.
Sustainable energy use and emissions reduction
The upgraded PM1 runs exclusively on electricity, sourced either from the national grid or from Fortissue’s own renewable energy assets—solar and wind. This setup enables a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: a 20% decrease when powered by the grid, and net zero emissions when operated on fully renewable electricity for both electric and thermal processes.
“This upgrade marks a significant step forward in the industry's energy transition,” said Nuno Ribeiro, Owner of Fortissue. “The execution was seamless, and we’re proud to be pioneering a more sustainable future for tissue production. With Toscotec, we’re responding to European consumers’ growing demand for eco-conscious products.”
Gabriele Barattini, Project Manager at Toscotec, praised the collaboration: “This world-first achievement reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership with Fortissue. The upgrade required a precise and focused intervention, and thanks to the professionalism of Fortissue’s team, the transition was remarkably smooth. PM1 now offers exceptional operational flexibility, allowing the switch between gas and electric configurations on both the hoods and the boiler.”