3. Given that a paper machine is likely to make several products, each at different grammage

(i.e. weight per unit area), would you regard paper-making as a continuous or a batch process? What difficulties would you anticipate in the scheduling and production processes and what is the effect on stock preparation likely to be? The trend towards material recycling in many countries can have a significant impact on the way in which some products are manufactured. Perhaps the industry which has had to adjust the most is paper-making. St Regis Paper is one of the largest manufacturers of recycled paper in Europe, producing almost a million tonnes of finished product a year. Its mill in Kemsley, in the UK, is one of the most modern, efficient and environmentally friendly plants in Europe. Two paper machines running at speeds of up to 900 metres per minute each makes 250,000 tonnes a year of high-quality brown ‘liner grades’ (used to make corrugated boxes).

The raw material is 100 per cent recycled paper, which is treated on a state-of-the-art stock preparation plant. This process cleans and sorts the individual paper fibres. When this material is used on the paper machines, it produces a product which is practically indistinguishable from conventional paper made from wood pulp.