We have extensive experience and expertise using a wide range of wood and nonwood plant fiber raw materials for the production of a multitude of paper and paperboard products in mills of small to large capacity. It is because of this experience that we can select the right raw materials, production program, processes and plant size to obtain the optimum economic return for a project.
Conceptual development is the most critical phase of any project because all further work is based on these initial concepts. Conceptual development includes selection of technology and equipment to suit plant size and local conditions. With our international experience, we select the most appropriate technology and equipment for each mill from an economic, operational and maintenance point of view. Mills which we design are easy to operate and maintain by local personnel.
Conceptual and process design are important for all mills, and are particularly important in the case of smaller mills. Smaller mills are often considered uneconomical, and this is true if the smaller mill is simply a scaled-down version of a large mill. With our experience in designing many smaller mills, we develop the concepts and process design that permit the construction of profitable smaller mills.
Our objectives are to develop projects with appropriate technology, projects that are easy to operate and maintain and, above all, that are profitable.
Our basic philosophy, that profitability is the most important criteria for each project, is inherent in our approach to all aspects of project design and development. Profitability, not technical sophistication, is the most important feature of good mill design.
If it appears that a proposed project may not be viable, we warn the client well in advance. We then try to find a profitable alternative and, if none can be found, recommend termination of the project at an early date. We believe that there is little profit in preparing detailed studies to arrive at a negative answer and even less in constructing an unprofitable mill.
We have expertise in the following areas:
HurterConsult was established in 1978 as an independent consulting engineering firm to provide services internationally for the design and implementation of all types of pulp and paper mills and fiberboard mills based on wood, wastepaper and nonwood plant fiber raw materials from annual and perennial plants, agricultural residues and fibre crops.
Recently with the interest in alternative fuels and power generation, we have expanded our activities to include consulting on cellulosic biofuel projects such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel.
For the past decade with increasing bans on single use plastics, we have also been offering services to the molded fiber products industry especially for small scale pulping of nonwood plant fibers.
Based in Ottawa, Canada, we have carried out a variety of domestic and international assignments including market, resource, feasibility and sector studies; design engineering projects and technology transfer and advisory services such as technical and business seminars, procurement services, client representative services, and project monitoring services. We also conduct process development work which may lead to patents.
Our client base is very diverse including development banks, project promoters and developers, existing pulp and paper companies, equipment manufacturers, major pulp and paper engineering consultants and government agencies.
Our expertise and projects cover the use of all types of fiber raw materials - wood, wastepaper and nonwood plant fibers such as bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, cereal straws, reeds and grasses, sisal, industrial hemp, flax, jute, cotton linters and other annual and perennial plants, agricultural residues and fibre crops - for the production of pulp, paper and fiberboard.
Unlike wood, there is a great variation in the physical characteristics of nonwood plant fibers from annual and perennial plants, agricultural residues and fibre crops, and each requires a different mill concept and design to produce high quality pulp and paper products. One of our specialties is the design of mills based on nonwood plant fibers.
With over 40 years behind us, we are prepared to offer to our clients the services which they need to be profitable in today's rapidly changing world.
