Less fiber cutting to preserve the maximum average fiber length

Pulp flows gently along the axial direction of the conical surface inside the Aikawa conical refiner with mild shear gradient, unlike the intense radial shear in double disc refiners.

✅ Outcome: Longer fibers are better retained with higher tear index. At the same beating degree, the finished paper boasts superior bulkiness, fluffier and softer handfeel without stiffness.

Sufficient external fibrillation while maintaining intact fiber inner structure

Kneading and compaction effects preferentially strip the primary wall of fibers and generate abundant microfibrils on fiber surfaces.

✅ Benefit: Improved fiber bonding strength. Target tensile strength can be achieved at a lower beating degree. Lower beating degree means better drainage, reduced drying load on Yankee dryer and greater potential for paper machine speed-up. Meanwhile, less softener dosage is required.

Stable pulp uniformity and controllable fines generation

The conical refiner features uniform flow field and stable load distribution in refining zone. Minor fluctuation in freeness ensures even paper thickness without local hard spots and fewer breaks during rewinding.

Applicable to production lines blending virgin wood pulp, bamboo pulp and recycled waste pulp.

Lower specific energy consumption than conventional double disc refiners under identical refining targets

The mild shear mode minimizes unnecessary fiber fragmentation. Field tests at multiple tissue mills verify 8%–18% power saving per ton of pulp to reach the same freeness.

Even wear and longer service life of refiner segments (rotor & stator)

Uniform pulp flow velocity and impact load across the conical surface eliminate rapid edge wear commonly seen on disc refiner plates.

Original Aikawa rotor and stator are made of special wear-resistant stainless steel with precision heat treatment. The blade edges remain sharp for longer, extending plate replacement cycles and reducing downtime for maintenance.

Linear and stable load adjustment with wide process window

Fine clearance adjustment enables precise control of fiber treatment. Separate refining for softwood pulp and hardwood pulp (mainstream tissue process) is easily realized, facilitating flexible switching between high/low basis weight grades, premium facial tissues and economical toilet rolls.

Highly suitable for the process route of low beating degree & high bulk

Premium tissue products demand high bulk and softness. The Aikawa conical refiner achieves low SR and high wet strength, and it is standard pulping equipment adopted by many Japanese and high-end tissue brands.

Outstanding performance for recycled pulp (OCC/recovered pulp) processing

Recycled fibers are rigid and prone to shortening. Gentle shear of the Aikawa refiner effectively restores fiber elasticity, alleviates fiber shortening, enhances bulk of recycled tissue and reduces linting and dusting.

Broad pulp compatibility

It stably handles softwood pulp, hardwood pulp, bamboo pulp, bagasse pulp and mixed pulp, allowing mills to flexibly adjust raw material formulas to cope with wood pulp price volatility.