Flow-control technology company John Crane (a Smiths business) claims it helped a US pulp and paper mill reduce water consumption by 90% and save $75,000 in total cost of ownership through a mechanical seal upgrade in its cellulose fibre production process.
John Crane says the project addressed persistent seal failures and excessive water use that were impacting the mill’s reliability, operating costs and sustainability performance. By deploying its Type SB2 USP heavy-duty dual cartridge mechanical seal with Upstream Pumping (USP) seal face technology, the mill was able to extend seal life from weeks to over than a year while ‘sharply reducing’ water demand.
Apparently, the mill experienced frequent mechanical seal failures with the mean time between repairs (MTBR) averaging three weeks. These failures caused repeated production interruptions, increased maintenance workload and higher operating costs. The existing sealing arrangement also consumed approximately three gallons of water per minute, with no conservation measures in place, creating financial and environmental challenges.
John Crane’s Type SB2 USP seal is designed for demanding slurry and abrasive pulp applications. The USP seal face technology is said to enable stable, non-contact operation, reducing barrier fluid requirements while improving reliability and energy efficiency. A John Crane seal reservoir and a 5-micron filtration system were also installed alongside the seal.
In other news, at the end of last year Futamura recommended the use of its certified compostable wood pulp films to manufacture glitter in line with upcoming EU restrictions on microplastic leakage. The films are believed to biodegrade in soil, marine, and wastewater environments.
Last month Cepi released its preliminary statistics report for 2025, which shows a 1.5% decrease in European paper and board production compared to 2024, reflecting the issues of ‘rising costs, geopolitical challenges and rising trade tensions’ over the last 5 years. According to the report, graphic paper production decreased by 7.2% in 2025 and the trade balance of paper and board decreased by 4.4% for the Cepi area compared to 2024, but ‘remains largely positive’.
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