TIMBER TO PAPER

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 56, 11 February 1953, Page 6

TIMBER TO PAPER

LABORATOKY RESEAECH A great deal of the ^know-how" resulting in the establishment of the big £6,000,000 pulp and paper industry by N. Z. Forest Products Ltd. at Kinleith has heen developed in the ccmpany's laboratory at Penrose, Auckland. The importance of the laboratory in the chain of activity concerned with a new, major industry cannot be overestimated. In papermaking "hit-and-miss" methods cannot be tolerated. Exacting tests, research and recording of information are essential to ensure quality and uniformity. Standards of manufacture must be at least equal to those of overseas mills. These are some of the reasons why tlie company established a laboratory at Penrose about ten yars ago and has plannd a further laboratoiy at Kinleith to cost appixjximately £14,000. Its main purpose will be to ensure technical control of operations in the kraft and paper mills and cairy on essential mill research • nvesFgations. The laboratory at Kinleith will be ! staffed initig.lly by six chemists, two : laboratory assistants and twelve shift testers, and staff will be enlarged as production increases. It will be fully equipped to check every phase of pulp and paper manufactui'e. For some years, samples of various pulps and papers have been produce d on a laboratory scale at Penrbse, where the staff numbers over 20, many of whom are qualified chemists. As a resuft of the experience gained since the original laboratory was set up, N.Z. Forest Products Ltd. have built up an inwaluable store of technical pulp and paper information. This scientific approacb to the new industries will overeome many problems and enable efficient, low-cost production.