OptiCoat Layer curtain coating

Uniform layers simultaneously with one coating station

The OptiCoat Layer multilayer curtain coater applies extremely thin – or thick - and uniform layers simultaneously all within one, compact coating station. It is equally suitable for both board and paper machines, regardless of their speeds and widths. The multilayer concept offers several advantages over single-layer curtain coating and other conventional coating methods.

Flexible multilayer coating

Excellent printing properties

Easy to use

Low investment & operating costs

Flexible multilayer coating for thin functional layers

Curtain coating slide dye has an expandable design, which gives a possibility to upgrade the coating station by adding coating layers. The ability to coat both very thin and thick coating layers gives a possibility for a wide end product assortment. The fierce competition forces paper and board producers to rethink their processes and products.

In multilayer coating, either one, two or even three layers can be applied. All the coating layers remain separate. This allows the use of functional layers, e.g. thermal or barrier coating colors. The thickness of a more expensive coating substance can be optimized, and a less expensive coating layer can function as carrier layer.

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Excellent printing quality

OptiCoat Layer gives excellent profiles since the peak-to-peak coat weight variation is very low. There is no need for profiling; profiles are stable within a wide operation window. Due to an even coating thickness, coating layer has a uniform brightness. Even with lower coat weights, coating coverage is good, and total coating amount can be reduced.

Superior runnability and easy to use

Well-functioning air removal and fully sheltered coating process gives even and stable curtain coating. Excellent runnability and efficiency are the results from contactless coating method.

Low investment and operating cost

Because of the curtain coating method, the base paper can be produced with less or completely without white fibers. Each coating layer can be adjusted to desired function and cost. This enables the optimizing of the base paper and coating layer to reach the most cost-effective solution. There are no coating color losses because of the dry-edge running mode and careful recovery of the coating color. OptiCoat Layer curtain coating station is very compact in size and can easily be fitted in most paper or board machines.

Opportunities with different paper or board grades

With its numerous features, OptiCoat Layer brings a number of grade development possibilities. For coated white top testliners, there is a possibility to produce with less or no white fibers. For white lined chipboard, there is a possibility to reduce white fibers on top layer. Expensive ingredients in coating color can be minimized, and there can be an additional layer with protective function.

Blade coating + curtain coating + blade coating

One of the most interesting ways to use curtain coating is to first apply a blade coating layer, the the curtain coating in the middle, and again a blade coating layer. This brings out the best features of both coating methods. The uniform coating layers and good coverage of curtain coating combined with the smooth surface of blade coating gives excellent results. Furthermore, the profiles are stable and even in curtain coating.

Read our latest customer success stories about Valmet OptiCoat Layer deliveries

Joining forces for innovation with SAICA El Burgo's new off-line coating machine

Dec 11, 2018

SAICA was aiming for improved quality, reduced costs, and responsible fiber use, but it found itself with innovative coated white top liner grades with better properties than they bargained for. This was a result of three partners – SAICA, Valmet and pigment supplier Omya – joining forces.

Goals achieved with coater section rebuild in Mayr-Melnhof Kolicevo

Jul 6, 2017

All the targets for the project were achieved. Runnability is better than before, and the efficiency is better, too,” says Rok Sustar from Mayr-Melnhof Kolicevo in Slovenia. A multilayer curtain coater and a blade coater started up after a very short shutdown period in the summer of 2015. A supply system for the two layers of the curtain coater was also installed.

Sustainable and innovative board products from Kotkamills

Jun 16, 2017

Kotkamills in Finland converted its paper machine into a unique board machine. The new machine was designed for a wide variety of products. “It is the most elegant board machine ever - it is just beautiful".

Cartones Ponderosa strengthens its competitive advantage

Dec 7, 2012

Mexico’s leading producer of coated folding boxboard has invested in Valmet’s curtain coating and air impingement drying technology to improve board quality, lower costs and boost productivity.

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Planning a grade conversion?

The world is changing fast; the consumption of papers is decreasing and boards increasing. Update your paper machine with Valmet to produce more profitable products.

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How to plan a successful rebuild?

Rebuilding a paper or board machine can improve the competitiveness of your business and your processes. Download our e-book to learn more.

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Watch our OptiCoat Layer related reference and product videos

OptiCoat Layer curtain coating: flexible coating method for excellent printing properties

Nov 29, 2023

OptiCoat Layer multilayer curtain coater is an easy-to-use coating application method for board and paper coating delivering excellent coating quality. There is no need for profiling; profiles are stable within a wide operation window. Due to an even coating thickness, coating layer has a uniform brightness.

New off-line coating machine at SAICA El Burgo

Mar 25, 2019

A beautiful story of partnership to develop completely novel and innovative coated white top liner grades. Valmet supplied a new off-line coating machine at SAICA El Burgo in Zaragoza, Spain, where curtain coating head plays a key role.

Energy-efficient air drying at SAICA, El Burgo

Mar 25, 2019

Safety played a key role when SAICA El Burgo in Zaragoza, Spain, chose air drying technology for their new, Valmet-supplied off-line coating machine. High coating quality proved at pilot trials and energy savings compared to IR dryers were also important.

Learn more about the services and automation solutions for coating

Coater roll covers

For highest quality coated board or paper, with high smoothness and gloss, in blade coating, Valmet offers a full range of reliable rubber roll covers as well as a high performing polyurethane cover. These roll covers have good wear resistance and strength properties ensuring long grinding intervals and long lifetime.

Roll maintenance

Valmet’s modular maintenance service solutions consists of roll maintenance, roll reconditioning, and roll upgrade services. These solutions help board and papermakers achieve maximum performance with transparent and consistently high-quality maintenance services.

Coater blades

Coater blades play an important role in the paper or board making process. They hugely affect efficiency, both materials and time, and have a major impact on final product quality. In blade coating, paper quality variations and rapid wearing of coater blades inevitably result in production losses and higher blade costs. The Valmet Coater Blade family consists of four carbide blades which leave a uniform layer of coating color on paper or board surface, thus creating an excellent finish for d...

Doctoring products

Doctoring affects machine runnability, paper and board quality, production costs, and production efficiency. Runnability can be improved by optimizing doctoring parameters and blade materials. Cleaner rolls result in better end-product quality. The blades can be selected to meet customers shutdown schedule which will lead to fewer blade changes resulting in lower blade costs. The reduction of unplanned shutdowns and costly downtime periods can be avoided by reliable and trouble-free doctoring....

Tail threading

A reliable tail threading process decreases tail threading times, minimizes waste and improves safety. This means an investment in your process is an investment that pays for itself. Whether you need improvements in paper or board machines, we have an advanced tail threading solution that clearly enhances your production efficiency. Our comprehensive range of tail threading services, from preventive maintenance to tail threading study secures optimal operation of your equipment and reduces threa...