Applied Chemicals International Group: Technical Service Is Our Success

1 APPLIED CHEMICALS International Group
15
Issue 20
20 Years of ACAT
15 Years Technics Center
BondStar® 289 L for Filler Increase
Increased Research in Environment Technology Sector
Biobased Sustainable Additives
Applied Chemicals International Group

Technical Service is our Success
CONTENTS
EVENTS, NEWS
2 Seminar for Sewage Sludge in Wels
2 New Types of BentStar® Bentonites
3 Visit us at the ECS
3 Set out for APV!
3 FreshWave®IAQ at CMS in Berlin
4 20 Years of ACAT A very special anniversary
ACAT Technics Center Scheibbs/ NÖ 5 New overall management of paper technology

expanded its business area, and is
celebrating its 15th anniversary COVERSTORY
6 ACATScheibbs: 15 Years Technics Center
TECHNICS
10 A Congenial Team: FreshWave®IAQ and FlotexFloorCoverings
12 Upgrades of Research and Product Development

in Environmental Technology
13 FlocStar® Our StruvitePreventer
15 Highly effective Acrylamidefree Polymers for Sludge Dewatering
17 Up in the Air International Distribution
Now ACATwatertech has an agent 19 American Success: ACAT Screw Presses in St. Louis
to prevent struvite from developing:
FlocStar® 21 BondStar® 289 L: Increase of Fillers in Fine Paper
23 Successful Dye Trials in South Africa
25 Biobased Sustainable Additives
ACAT ART CALENDAR

27 The Power of Colours
COMPANY NEWS
29 Charity: Aid for Flood Victims
30 Hans Hertel: Adventure Baikal (Part 2)

Two top models of the ACAT screw
presses were implemented in the 34 Anniversaries, Newcomers, Special Occasions
landfill Bridgeton near St. Louis/USA
37 Our Product Range
4 inside acat 1/2015

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EDITORIAL
Photo: NestlerKenzian
further development. Even Albert Einstein said, "If
you change nothing, then nothing will be different
and better." Admittedly it is taken out of context
and it was meant in a mathematical context. But it
is valid also in other areas.
For seven years now the global economic crisis has
been going on. It is the inevitable consequence of
the banking crisis of 2008. However, the counter
strategies, are different both in concept and
effect. The feeling is beginning to spread that Euro
pe is powerless to manage the crisis. The conse
quences are obvious: rising unemployment rates
due to strong decline in investment in industry and
municipalities and too high tax burden on busines
ses. The resulting loss of consumer purchasing
power further exacerbates the situation. To some
degree the obscure perspectives of persons
responsible and the political interests prevent suit
able countermeasures. Extensive changes are nee
ded to bring economy back on track, but there is a
great deal of fear to meet the challenges.
Europe has a great intellectual potential. It is unbe
lievable that, with limited exceptions, no one is
able to take the bull by the horns, to press the reset
Manfred Zabl button and to take appropriate additional measu
res to resolve the ongoing crisis free from any per
sonal and political interest in order to improve
future prospects.
Dear readers, The prime focus is on the creation of new jobs and
with the 20th issue of „inside acat“ we also celebra on the strengthening of purchasing power as well
te the 20th anniversary of ACAT. It is incredible as on the creation of the conditions to achieve this.
how quickly time passes, how fast new develop It can only be hoped that soon things take a turn
ments follow one after another and how fast we for the better.
need to change. One gets the feeling year after We see the future for ACAT as quite optimistic
year that everything becomes faster and more because innovations and custom tailored solutions
merciless, but sometimes adaptations and changes have a positive impact. With this in mind, I wish
are really necessary. readers inspiring reading of our 20 years ACAT
The word change usually is associated with unplea anniversary edition and a great summer 2015!
sant things however changes offer huge opportuni Manfred Zabl
ties. New perspectives have a great potential for CEO APPLIED CHEMICALS International Group
IMPRINT INSIDE ACAT

Issue 20, March 2015
Owner, publisher and ©: Applied Chemicals International AG CH4015 Basle, Neubadstrasse 7
T: + 43 1 979 34 73, F: + 43 1 979 34 7314555
email: [email protected] Website: www.acat.com
Editor: Dr. Gildis Grabner Layout: Dieter Spet
Cover: Christine NestlerKenzian, Photos unless indicated otherwise: ACAT; Printing: Queiser GmbH, 3270 Scheibbs

NEWS, EVENTS
WE WERE THERE!
SEMINAR FOR SEWAGE SLUDGE IN WELS
Every two years, shortly before the end of the year
the “Seminar for Sewage Sludge“ takes place. Once
again the event which was held from 20 to 21
November 2014 in Wels, Austria, offered a lot of inte‐
resting information on this topic. We were there!
Like in Germany before, now also many other Europe

an countries strive to back out of agricultural sewage
sludge utilization. In this seminar first the question
was raised whether the current sewage treatment and
utilisation is still up to date internationally and speci
fically in Austria. Then the latest developments were
discussed.
The technical lectures included sludge stabilisation,
anaerobic and aerobic sewage sludge treatment (also
for small plants) and monoincineration. Finally, the
ÖWAV Position Paper on phosphorus recovery from
sewage sludge was presented and discussed.
The ACAT team had the opportunity to exchange
experiences with experts from Austria and abroad.
After the official closing of the seminar, discussions
continued in a friendly setting for a long time.
I would like to thank all colleagues and the ÖWAV for
the excellent organization and the great commitment. Throughout Europe there is a general tendency to back
. Erich Sailer out of the agricultural sewage sludge utilization
LATEST NEWS
NEW TYPES OF BENTSTAR® BENTONITES:
Improved performance, lower dosages
Photos: Spiola (1) Nürnberger Messe (1), CMS (1), APV (1)
ACAT introduces two new BentStar® bentonite types

onto the market. They are characterized by higher per
formance at lower dosage. This is achieved by modify
ing specific types of bentonite. The new types are of
interest to paper manufacturers, who want to achieve
further improvement in retention and drainage. In
most cases for the preparation of the product the exis
ting preparation technology can be used.
Nuri Kerman

HEADING OFF TO NEW EXHIBITIONS
VISIT US AT ECS! OFF TO APV!
Again in 2015 we would like to welcome our valued
clients to the Austrian Paper Conference "Zukunft.
Forum Papier" from 20 to 21 May in Graz. We would
be happy to inform and advise you there on our latest
developments in dry strength and retention aids.
This meeting is characterized by a familiar atmosphere
and by the high quality of the lectures. It is exactly
what a symposium should be.
Nuri Kerman
From 21 to 23 April 2015 the European Coatings Show

takes place in Nuremberg. About 1.000 exhibitors and
30.000 visitors are expected this time including the
ACAT Industrial Chemicals team. We would be very
happy to welcome you there facetoface.
Our sales team is always available for appointments.
Alex Frank
FreshWave®IAQ AT CMS IN BERLIN

With an interesting support program and current
special shows the CMS covers the entire market
sector: Cleaning ‐ Management – Services, therefore
it serves as an ideal platform for manufacturers, dis‐
tributors and service providers.
The CMS Cleaning Management – Services is the

international trade show for cleaning systems, buil
ding management and services. It is the only event in
Germany that presents the full range of products and
services of the international cleaning industry. With an
interesting support program and current special
shows, the CMS covers the entire market sector: Clea
ning Management – Services and therefore it serves
as an ideal platform for manufacturers, distributors tal Berlin, a metropolis of global importance, is the
and service providers. The trade fair will take place ideal location for the presentation of new products
from 22 to 25 September 2015 in Berlin. and services in this sector. From here the large mar
The international conference will be held over two kets in Europe and overseas, as well as the emerging
days and will deal with current global industry issues. markets in Central and Eastern Europe can be served.
The organizer and their international partners ensure We are confident to establish new contacts at the fair
exhibitors and visitors witness a forum of internatio to introduce FreshWave®IAQ onto new markets.
nal importance and an ambitious conference program. The FreshWave®IAQ team looks forward to meet you
Germany is the largest European market for commer at our stand.
cial cleaning technology. Therefore, the German capi Aldo Randisi

NEWS
20 YEARS OF ACAT:
A very special anniversary
AUTHOR: MANFRED ZABL had to strengthen our team to meet the demands of
the constantly growing market.
In 1995 ACAT Hungary and in 1997 ACAT Switzerland
were founded. Each branch office was a subsidiary of
A look into the Commercial Register of the Republic of ACAT International, a nonoperating holding and
Austria shows that on Christmas Eve, 1994 ACAT was parent company that was still in its infancy.
born – not in a barn, but at the Commercial Court Vien The demands for dissolving and dosing equipment
na! I still remember the chaos of the morning snow necessary for the use of our specialty chemicals increa
paralysing the traffic. Fortunately, later in the morning sed steadily and this resulted in the establishment of
the sun appeared and now there was nothing standing the warehouse operation with adjacent workshop in
in the way of our court date. It was the last day of the Scheibbs in 2000.
year when offices were opened and it was the deadline Since then we have been able to offer tailormade sys
for starting the fiscal year on 1. January 1995. In joyful tems to optimize the use of our chemicals. This was
expectation of the upcoming Christmas holidays, the unique and a major step ahead in the further develop
entry into the Commercial Register was done in a quick ment of our company.
and unbureaucratic manner! In 2001 we started our environmental commitment in
On 2. January 1995 we set up a makeshift office, sur Milan and the development of the group took shape.
rounded by packing cases full with folders. In Autumn In 2010 another significant step towards globalization
1994 it was decided to hive off the distribution of che was taken with the further consistent expansion of the
micals of the former CELL establishments in large
group from pulp and paper parts of Europe, especially
trading to a separate, inde in Germany, but also in
pendent company. The South Africa and Asia.
newly founded company We have become a global
moved to an industrial area player with about 100
in Vienna Auhof, because employees represented by
space was required for a partner companies in many
storage area and for a labo countries around the
ratory with a small work world. Our company is one
place. Seven employees set of the few remaining fami
out to conquer the world of lyowned independent
chemicals for the environ companies in this sector.
mental and paper industry: Service and advice are our
Alex Frank, Thomas Ensba top priorities.
cher, Uschi PoltFischer, Meanwhile, we own a
Reinhold Frech and my number of patents and
humble self were the pio many recipes adapted to
neers. We had to make customer’s needs. We are
considerable efforts to convinced that specialty
increase the starting sales chemicals are only as good
of 1.5 million EUR and to as their application techno
survive. It was an exciting logy and the after sales ser
time with enormous chal vice.
lenges and troubles. Our experience has taught
The business developed to us to stay grounded and
rapidly and very soon we to always have an open ear
Photo: Christine NestlerKenzian

for the needs and requirements of our customers. We
consider it our duty to meet these requirements and
to cooperate in a spirit of constructive partnership on
the development of new solutions.
Success does not fall out of the sky but you have to
work hard for it. This and nothing else is our daily
bread; to attract satisfied partners and customers.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my

special thanks to our loyal customers.
Their confidence in our products and services made a
decisive contribution to the success of the entire ACAT
Group.
Celebrate with us the first 20 years and let me assure
you that in the coming decades our motto will conti
nue to be:
„Technical Service is our Success“
New overall management

of paper technology
With effect from 1.1.2015 Nuri CIBA he joined BASF. In 2010 his
Kerman became the overall head way led him to ACAT. Initially Nuri
of paper technology, of ACAT started up the paper technology
International. From now on the division in Germany, later in other
paper teams of all countries are European countries too.
summarized in this division and After five years of intensive and
centrally managed and supported. extremely successful develop
After graduating from his studies ment work in Europe now he con
in papermaking at the University tributes his knowledge and exten
of Darmstadt Nuri gained some sive experience to the entire
experience in supply at Allied Col ACAT team and to our partners.
loids. In the late 90s the company We wish him continued success
was taken over by the CIBA AG. and good luck for this demanding
After several years of experience task! The new overall head of
in the middle management at Text: Manfred Zabl ACAT paper technology Nuri Kerman

COVERSTORY
ACAT SCHEIBBS: 15 Years Technics Centre

Logistics, production of Ecosorb® and FreshWave®IAQ‐ products as well as tech‐
nical support of ACAT departments: the number of employees in Scheibbs/
Lower Austria has increased and the activities reached an unprecedented level.
The department is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
Polymer powder system
AUTHOR: THEO WEINBRENNER From 1998 to 2000 ACAT was looking for a site to inte
grate the outsourced logistics into the company. Also
technical support for plant stoppages and installations
was planned. In 2000, the appropriate site was finally
found in Scheibbs, Lower Austria. The former printing
plant was adapted and expanded to create office
space. Since that time the ACAT team Scheibbs has
been supporting several departments of the company
internally as well as internationally with expertise and
mechanical skills. Numerous external customers are
supported by the staff in Scheibbs. The core issues of
this location are plant engineering, production of

Ecosorb® and FreshWave® IAQ products and the tech
nical support of diverse ACAT departments. At the
beginning of the year an assembly team was recruited.
Currently our team has eleven staff members.
Since July 2009 Theo Weinbrenner has been heading

the logistics centre and has been member of ACAT
since 2003. First he had a contract for work and was
entrusted with the project management. In the office
he is actively supported by Sabine Spieler and Mag‐
dalena Aigelsreiter. Mrs Aigelsreiter is responsible for
all relevant logistics processes, and for the order pro
cessing of FreshWave®IAQ and Ecosorb®. Accounting,
calculation and ordering system are the core tasks of
Mrs Spieler.
Since the start of 2015 Susanna Weinrother has been

managing the administration for the service from Vien
na.
Bernhard Anzenberger is our “clear conscience” con
cerning quality and plant engineering. Since the early
days he has been an employee of the company. During
this long period he has gained a lot of experience in
this area, so he often is asked for advice.
Josef Praschl is responsible for the technical concepts

of systems engineering and he is commissioning sys
tems on site all over the world. The extensive experi
ence of the skilled electrician goes far beyond electrical
engineering.
JetWet polymer powder system
Finally, the team is actively supported by Mario Plank‐
Sandhofer. In addition to his position as project manag Plant engineering reached professional proportions
er he is responsible for the assembly of switch boards with the establishment of the engineering and logistics
and control systems. Since the start of the year the two centre in Scheibbs in 2000. Today polymer dissolution
installation engineers Willi Schober and Goran Bijelic plants, bentonite systems, pumping stations and
has been part of the ACAT team Scheibbs. The cus metering systems are manufactured there. The associ
tomer service in sludge dewatering is in the hands of ated control systems and switchboards are self
Josef Söllner. designed and constructed.
Equipment of ACAT Scheibbs: In recent years, the main task has been the develop
ment of new systems and concepts. We are constantly
In the early days polymer and bentonite were the first trying to adapt the existing technology to customer
major pillars of the newly founded company, but soon needs, and to keep it updated.
the question arose, whether it would make strategic
sense to combine the vast experience and the broad There are two types of polymer systems:
knowledge of our employees in paper production and
environmental technology with the corresponding sys In general polymer systems are distinguished with
tem engineering to offer overall solutions in applica regard to the dissolving technique used. There are two
tion technology. No sooner said than done! Soon the techniques: the jetwet and the dispersion technique.
desired success was achieved. The procedure and construction of the systems are

COVERSTORY
kept as simple as possible to avoid unnecessary tribution of the powder ensures a better and more
sources of error. The control unit used for the latest effective wetting. The necessary maturing time is
systems is a Siemens PLC (S71200). Of course, for the achieved in a storage tank. The polyelectrolyte solu
integration into a PCS system the systems are also tion is pumped with a transfer pump from the dissolu
available without control units. tion tank into the storage tank.
The difference between the two

polymer powder systems is the
VISU Touch Panel
method of polymer wetting. In
the case of dispersing technique
the powder is conveyed via a
screw directly into the disperser
and wetted with water. Then the
powder is dissolved by stirring in
the container. This method is
often used in municipal waste
water treatment plants.
Polyelectrolyte solutions in paper

mills are of a very high standard.
So usually the JetWet system is
used, the "Mercedes" of the poly
mer dilution systems. The poly
mer powder is conveyed with a
screw into a venture tube and
then it is blown with a fan into the
head of the JetWet. The fine dis
Groundbreaking Solutions from ACAT Technics Centre
ABA (Betonite unit)

PolyJet PPU1 (Double Tank, Disperser Technology) Pump skid
Dosing Unit PolyJet PPU2

A CONGENIAL TEAM:
FreshWave®IAQ and Flotex floor coverings
Even taken individually the ACAT odour neutralizer FreshWave®IAQ and the multi‐functional
flooring Flotex Forbo are hits, but in combination they are unbeatable in terms of easy cleaning
and odour. This is leading to a corresponding demand for hygiene and sanitary facilities suppliers.
AUTHOR: KENAN ENGERINI SSG is particularly interested in the combination of Flo

tex flooring and ACAT "Multi USE".
FLOTEX: "As comfortable as a textile floor covering,

ISSA Interclean in Amsterdam in April 2014 was very as easy to clean as a resilient floor”
successful. Some partners of the GVS were interested
in FreshWave®IAQ. So the first contact with one of the Flotex is a floor covering combining the comfort of a
numerous partner families of GVS, the Johann A. textile floor and the advantages of a resilient floor.
Meyer GmbH in Berlin, was established. Because of the dense, waterproofed carpet back Flotex
is the only truly washable textile floor covering. Addi
The GVS Großverbraucherspezialisten eG regards tionally Flotex meets the highest hygiene requirements
itself as a large family of predominantly ownerman necessary, for example, in nursery schools, hospitals
aged, mediumsized member companies distributing and nursing homes.
hygiene products including healthcare, various sanitary
facilities and industrial hygiene.
After our
product
presentation
to CEO Mr.
Flotex floor covering
Cürten and
can absorb up to six
Mr. Vetter,
litres of liquid per
Sales and Mar
square meter
keting Director of
the John A. Mayer
GmbH, they put us in
contact with their clients.
The result was a huge project.
All our FreshWave®IAQ products are

very interesting for the Caritas and the
associated SSG (= Services for the Aged Socie
ty) serving many nursing home for the elderly in
Germany. Currently various tests are running.
In patients rooms and toilets FreshWave®IAQ gel
and FreshWave®IAQ spray have already proved to be
effective.
Due to the great problems caused by incontinence the

Photo: Forbo Flooring GmbH

Added to the carpet cleaner FreshWave®IAQ destroys existing odours. It is active until all molecules are saturated.
As a consequence FreshWave®IAQ gel ensures “24 hours odour control “
As the nylon fibres capture allergens and fine dust Flo does not only destroy existing odours but it is stored in
tex floor coverings are suitable for allergy sufferers. the floor covering until the FreshWave®IAQ molecules
are saturated. Combined with FreshWave®IAQ gel a
The floor covering is washable, but it can absorb up to “24 hours odour control“ is ensured.
six litres of water or liquid per square meter. If it is not
regularly cleaned, wet unpleasant odours can be After successful testing the Hamburg Company Keerl
formed. GmbH, which is also a member of the GVS family, indi
cated interest. Currently trials are running in the toilets
This is where FreshWave®IAQ Multi USE comes into and washrooms of a football stadium and on Cruise lin
play, which is added to the carpet cleaner. There it ers.

UPGRADE OF RESEARCH AND PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT in Environmental Technology
Romano Renggli ‐ long‐time head of the ACAT environmental technology Switzerland‐ paves the
way for a smooth handover of this key position to his successor Vincenzo Carco. Henceforth he
dedicates himself to research and product development in environmental technology.
AUTHOR: PER O. BJÖÖRN
For nearly 20 years Romano Reng

gli has been head of the Swiss
ACAT environmental technology
division serving primarily industri
al and municipal wastewater tre
atment plants. He has travelled
tirelessly to support and advise
ACAT customers.
Romano still feels young and

dynamic, but in order to provide a
consistent and highquality techni
cal service and to allow our long
term ACAT family member a Romano Renggli (above) focuses on product and market development,
smooth exit from this responsible because Vincenzo Carco (right) has headed the
position, it makes sense to settle environmental department in Switzerland
the succession and the associated
career management as soon as gy department. “Enzo”, as he is well prepared for the new challen
possible. For quite some time this called, started his career in the ges. Of course, Enzo can continue
process has been running, invol chemical industry. Then he moved to rely on the existing, excellently
ving all persons concerned. In on to become head of one of the trained team. That way the conti
January 2015 another milestone largest sewage treatment plants in nued support for our Swiss custo
was reached: Switzerland. Since Autumn 2012 mers is ensured.
he has been member of the ACAT
Vincenzo Carco family where he was responsible The vacant position of a sales
New head of the ACAT for the support of our customers representative has been filled by
environmental technology in the Germanspeaking areas of Mr. JeanOliver Haug, or „Joe“ for
department, Switzerland Switzerland and Ticino. short. He is the perfect person for
Due to his professional activities this job as he has extensive techni
We are pleased to announce that he has an excellent technical cal expertise and many years of
Vincenzo Carco is the new head of knowledge and lots of leadership experience with flocculants, espe
the Swiss environmental technolo experience and he is therefore cially with metal salts and he spe

aks French fluently as it is his mot the strategic direction of the ACAT
her tongue. environmental technology. In
addition to his new activities
Romano Renggli Romano will continue to support
Product development our Swiss customers to ensure a
in environmental technology consistent transfer of the tasks
and responsibilities as customer
Since the beginning of this year friendly as possible.
Romano Renggli has been focusing
on product and market develop We are proud to find a "winwin"
ment. As a "spearhead" he has a solution allowing all parties con
significant influence on the future cerned to use all their abilities and
development of products and of to respond to personal needs.
FlocStar® ‐ OUR STRUVITEPREVENTER

Struvite is a greatly feared mineral as it can cause a lot of problems. It causes kidney stones
in humans and animals and deposits in wastewater treatment plants driving operators to
desperation, possibly bringing machines to a standstill. Against kidney stones we are
powerless, but against the deposits recently the ACAT watertech department has an agent
which prevents the formation of struvite: FlocStar®
AUTHOR: ERICH SAILER What is STRUVITE?
In the most commonly used activated sludge treat

ments for sewage purification, return solution and
recrystallization of mineral compounds (chem. formu
Struvite is absolutely unwanted in sewage treatment la) occur in chemical as well as in biological phospho
plants. Back in 2008 I wrote an article on this topic and rous precipitation. The insoluble salts formed cause
at that time I dealt with easy and costefficient removal considerable damage to highly stressed plant compo
of the deposits which were already formed. Meanwhi nents such as sludge pumps and pipelines.
le, we have expanded our research and turned the
tables. Anaerobic sludge digestion is the most commonly used
method for the activated sludge treatment. During bio
First, we went further into the cause of the formation logical Pelimination in the digesters a resolution of the
of struvite in sludge dewatering processes causing sub phosphate already captured by microorganisms takes
sequently huge problems in drainage systems. We place. High total hardness as well as high ammonium
focused our development work on searching for chemi concentrations in the digested sludge lead to the for
cals suitable to be used in sludge dewatering which mation of difficult to dissolve salts, such as:
would prevent the formation of struvite.
a) Struvite ‐ (magnesium‐ammonium‐phosphate or
After numerous trials and extensive testing, we are short MAP [MgNH4PO4*6H2O])
now able to offer a new flocculant not only capable of During decomposition of organic material ammonia
preventing struvite deposits but also capable of remo NH3 and CO2 is formed. Both gases are easily soluble
ving preexisting deposits: FlocStar®! in water and react to ammoniumhydrogen carbona

te [NH4HCO3]. NH4HCO3 is a compound with a pHbuf te). The deposits are very hard and have to be removed
fer action under 7. Under these conditions almost all with pipe cleaning nozzles or milling.
alkaline earth metal ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ are
solved. In addition, in anaerobic digestion there are Case study: FlocStar® prevents deposits of struvite
high concentrations of phosphorus containing anions
such as HPO42 and PO43.. Thus, all conditions for the ACAT has the solution:
formation of struvite are given. Tests showed that after a two month treatment with
FlocStar® 9176 P no more significant deposits could be
b) Brushite [CaHPO4*H2O] detected in the lines. About 30 t of FlocStar®9176 P
is formed already at phvalues 4, 2 and higher, there were used and due to the great success, is still being
fore the formation of brushite in digested sludge used.
does not depend on phvalue. A basic requirement is In sewage treatment plants using screw presses for
a high excess of phosphate or hydrogen phosphate, sludge dewatering it was demonstrated that Floc
which always exists in digested sludge, whether in Star®9176 was able to clean the screens from incrusta
chemical or in biological Pprecipitation. The formati tions and subsequently keep them clean.
on of brushite is facilitated by a high water hardness,
which can be achieved for example by the addition Once again it has been proven to be successful to
of lime to the digester. maintain close contact with our customers, to take
their concerns seriously and to search for innovative
In large wastewater treatment plants with more than solutions. FlocStar®9176 P is such a success that is
700,000 p.e. the sludge is dewatered with four large attributed to our chemists. We would be pleased to
centrifuges. The discharge pipes of the centrate have work out a tailormade plan for the application of Floc
to be cleaned regularly as they are quickly clogged by Star®9176 P also for your plant. Contact us, we will
the depositing MAP (magnesium ammonium phospha gladly advise you!
The discharge pipes of the centrate had to be cleaned regularly as they were quickly clogged by the
depositing MAP (magnesium ammonium phosphate), (left). After a two month trial with FlocStar®
9176 P no more significant deposits in the lines (right).

Highly effective ACRYLAMIDE‐FREE
POLYMER for sludge dewatering
Photo: Spiola
Acrylamide is considered to be toxic and it is classified as potentially carcinogenic. ACAT
offers an acrylamide free flocculent that meets the requirements of the market concerning
effectiveness and cost‐benefit ratio and has a great future ahead.
AUTHORS: PER O. BJÖÖRN In principle, acrylamide free flocculants have been

ERICH SAILER available for some time, however, these products
were only of scientific importance, because they never
could achieve the efficiency and the costbenefit ratio
of the usual acrylamidebased flocculants and therefo
re they were not attractive to the market.
Briefly and succinctly the slogan „Technical service is
our Success!“, expresses the ACAT philosophy. It Driven by politics and by possible threatened restricti
means that it is our declared aim to serve the market in ons for the use of conventionally dewatered sludge,
technical terms always at the forefront. We test inno currently there are new attempts to support the deve
vations ourselves, modify and optimize them as requi lopment of acrylamide free flocculants.
red together with the team and after a positive assess
ment we make them available to the market. On the one hand it cannot be ruled out that the surplus

of the acrylicbased flocculants remaining in the sludge through food hardly leads to an increased blood level.
poses a risk and on the other hand, the acrylamide Nevertheless acrylamide is considered to be toxic and
based flocculants still contain small amounts of the it is classified as potentially carcinogenic.
acrylamide monomer, which is suspected to cause can In general, acrylamide gets into drinking water only by
cer. using acrylamide based flocculants in waste water tre
atment. They had to be completely removed at the end
The production of acrylamide is carried out either by of the process. In the European Union the limit is 0.10
the hydrolysis of acrylonitrile with copper catalysts or µg per litres.
by enzymatic hydrolysis:
The monomer acrylamide is used to synthesize the ACAT used these discussions as an opportunity to eva
watersoluble polyacrylamides mainly used in sludge luate the existing developments and to test an acryla
dewatering. midefree flocculent that meets the market require
ments concerning efficiency and costbenefit ratio. We
Acrylamide is also formed in the event of overheating think it has a great future ahead of it.
starch, especially in baking, roasting frying, grilling and
deep frying. The primary source of acrylamide in food The product is produced from entirely different raw
is the amino acid asparagine mainly found in potatoes materials and it achieves equivalent, even some better
and grain. The effect of acrylamide on human metabo results than standard polyacrylamides.
lism is far away from being researched in depth. We
know from animal experiment two modes of action: ACAT is pleased to offer our customers these acrylami
acrylamide damages the DNA and liver enzymes con defree products as an option. Of course, we will conti
verts acrylamide into glycidamide. This reactive sub nue doing our very best to keep you updated with the
stance is attributed to a strong genotoxic effect. Acryla latest technical developments.
mide and glycidamide form compounds with amino
acids and nucleic bases and this can lead to a modifica
tion of the structure and function of the DNA and of
Photo: de.academic.ru
the haemoglobin. In animal experiments the transmis
sion of the mutagenic effect was also observed at filial
generations.
Despite many years of research there are no clear epi‐

demiological results showing an increased cancer risk
for humans. On the contrary: The classification as a
carcinogenic substance is based only on studies car‐
ried out with high dosages of acrylamide on rats and
mice. According to the Medical School Hannover,
recent studies could not prove an increased risk of
cancer ("no measurable impact"); the risk of colo‐
rectal cancer even decreased with an increasing
amount of acrylamide in food. It should also be noted
that only the acrylamide entering the bloodstream is
relevant.
Recent studies show that the intake of acrylamide Acrylamide

UP IN THE AIR ‐ International Distribution
ACAT is focusing on its core competencies and expanding the international network of distri‐
butors
AUTHOR: PETER LAUSCHA and it is therefore necessary to build stable trusted

partnerships with local distributors serving their local
At the ACAT mechanical engineering department the markets, determining the demand, introducing our
year 2014 was chiefly marked by restructuring. The systems to potential customers and supplying the
head of department was reorganized and the sale was appropriate system. They have to implement the sys
divided into project and component sale. In the home tem and they are responsible for service and mainte
markets of Austria and Switzerland there is still an nance.
experienced team of project managers and systems
managers ready to meet the particular needs of the We have already presented the proofofconcept for
operators of wastewater treatment plants and to han this strategy to our longterm partner, who had
dle complex projects. already delivered components successfully to several
municipal and industrial dewatering plants. They have
In international sales now the focus is on the distribu been installed with the help of the ACAT technician
tion of components of the proven "ACAT screw press." team. Our customers are more than satisfied with our
It is the task of the newly created position of an "Inter service and our support and therefore these success
national Sales Representative" to establish promising es are reason enough to continue along the path we
new customer relations and to find new strategic, pro have chosen. In 2014 all our efforts were ultimately
fessional partners firmly anchored in their local mar directed towards this goal.
kets with a wellfunctioning network.
Extensive trips in order to establish direct and person
However, ACAT does not want to handle international alized contacts, site visits, numerous meetings as well
projects itself, but wants to rely on stable partnerships as trade fair participation for example at IFAT or

Dimensions, weights and throughput rates of ACAT screw presses
Subject to modification!
* Average throughput of digested sludge with 4% input DS content
WEFTEC aimed at the expansion of our network both highly competitive and powerful AS 505 M / AS 705 M
in northern (Scandinavian countries) and in southern screw presses suitable for pricesensitive municipal
Europe. applications.
In addition, we have created lucrative startup pack Product development and marketing & sales have
ages for our mobile test units. Our partners are now paved the way to continue our ambitious expansion
able to offer and perform quickly and flexibly test program and to push ahead further internationaliza
pressings in the new markets. Thus, the customer tion. We look forward to capture new markets for
receives very soon concrete results. The standardized ACAT screw presses together with our local partners.
“trial units” are based on the screw presses of type AS
250 and AS 450. Our distributors have the following
possibilities: rent, hire purchase plan or a particularly
lucrative purchase option.
Photo: Christine NestlerKenzian (1), Kqueirolomce (1)
In addition, 2014 was clearly marked by the further

development of our technology portfolio. On the one
hand we were able to position the entrylevel models
of the screw presses type AS 250 and AS 450 better in
the market, on the other hand we succeeded in
anchoring the two top models AS 905 und AS 1105 in
their markets.
We made great progress in the particularly highvol

ume market segment of the mediumsized type series.
We were able to offer two new screw presses model
series: the very robust and stable AS 505 I / AS 705 I
screw presses suitable for industrial plants, and the

AMERICAN SUCCESS
Successful landfill drainage
ACAT screw presses in St. Louis
AUTHOR: PETER LAUSCHA The city was founded in the 18th century as a French
trading base. It later fell into Spanish hands and in the
late 19th century it became part of the United States
and was the starting point of many expeditions to the
West of the newly formed states.
Despite turbulent times in the course of its history the

St Louis, United States, is situated in the very eastern city looks back on a long tradition of industrial pro
part of the US state of Missouri, in one of the largest duction. Until the 1950s especially the steel industry
US metropolitan areas with a population of nearly was well represented. For decades the gas for the
three million people. The city is characterized by its steel works has been produced in coking plants. As a
colourful past, but also by the industrial decline of the result enormous quantities of byproducts such as
region in the late 20th century. phenol were produced that were stored at a landfill in

Foto: wallpaper
The industrial decline led to the demolition of the plants and the areas released were recultivated.
Today St. Louis is proud of its several thousand parks.
Bridgeton near St. Louis. The industrial decline led to Our US partner KUSTERS WATER awarded the contract
the demolition of the plants and the areas released for the drainage of sewage sludge, which was part of
were recultivated. Today St. Louis is proud of its seve the project. In collaboration with the ACAT technicians
ral thousand parks. Over the decades the waste pro the ACAT screw presses AS 905 and AS 1105 were
ducts of the plants stored at the landfill in Bridgeton implemented on the first floor of the plant.
have been falling into oblivion.
First of all, the leachate sludge is thickened with two
So far, the leachate of this landfill was fed into the highperformance centrifuges. Then the sludge is
municipal sewage treatment plant and was treated dewatered by of the two screw presses. A particular
together with the waste water. However, due to the challenge was the drainage of the highly toxic sludge.
progressive degradation process of the site deposits Therefore KUSTERS WATER decided for the heavyduty
the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons beca versions of ACAT screw presses.
me so high that the municipal system was no longer
able to treat the waste water. Therefore a biological The results were convincing and ACAT can count on
pretreatment had to be implemented for the leachate. another important reference in the US.

BondStar® 289 L:
Increase of Fillers in Fine Paper
In recent years, the cost pressure on fine paper has resulted in constant search for a suitable
replacement of the expensive fibres.
Foto: Spiola
AUTHOR: NURI KERMAN some strength parameters partial The test run was carried out
ly can be kept constant by using as follows:
dry strength agents such as the • copying paper 80 g/m²
ACAT BondStar® 289 L. However, • PMspeed: 850 m/min
the increase of fillers often causes
loss of bending stiffness that is of First BondStar® 289 L was introdu
great importance for printing ced into the filler pipe with a
In order not to affect adversely machines and copiers. quantity of 3 kg / t. In a further
the optical properties and the step BondStar® 201 L was added
printability of papers, primarily ACAT has expanded its portfolio to at the output of the machine chest
less costly fillers are used as fibre BondStar® 201 L, which has the with 1.5 kg / t (see fig. page 22)
substitutes. Nowadays the quanti ability to compensate the loss of
ties of fillers used are largely stiffness. Test runs were carried With the addition of Bond
exhausted, because the paper out on a fine paper machine pro Star®289 L the filler content (GCC)
industry has been particularly acti ducing mainly copying paper with increased from 22% up to 26%.
ve in this area. Now a further 60 and 90 g / m². The retention aid This led to a 5% loss of stiffness.
increase of the quantities is system was a typical twocompo To compensate the loss BondStar®
attempted by using chemicals. nent system using polymer and 201 L was added and stiffness
Despite higher filler contents bentonite. increased up to 5% above the initi

al value. To get to the bottom of the potential of this Conclusion:
system, the filler content was increased again by a furt With the addition of 3 kg / t BondStar® 289 L and
her 2% up to 28%. As a result the stiffness reached the 1.5 kg / t BondStar® 201 L it is possible to increase filler
initial value (see fig. below) content by 6% without losing bending stiffness.

SUCCESSFUL DYE TRIALS
IN SOUTH AFRICA
AUTHOR: BRADLEY BALLANTYNE • Paper machine furnish (waste quality and variations)
• Dyeing conditions
• Correct choice of dyestuffs and Technology partner
ROBAMA – ACAT Technology partner, dyestuffs
Stock dyeing, or internal dyeing in packaging grades is ROBAMA is a European manufacturer of dyes, optical
one of the biggest challenges that face papermakers brighteners and auxiliaries, mainly for paper, textile
today. Paper machines differ in the chemistry of the and leather industries with a range of over 150 brown
wet end. There are no two paper machines with identi liquid dyes (direct and basic) which covers the most
cal chemistry. Because of that, the use of chemicals demands of the market.
must be optimized individually for each paper machi
ne. This is also true in conjunction with the application Although ROBAMA has a wide extended range of over
of dyes. 150 brown liquid dyes (direct and basic) which covers
In order to get a uniform shade from reel to reel there the most demands of the market, their technical
are many factors that need to be taken into considera department developed new colors to meet with our
tion, namely: customers specific requirements.

MPACT paper mill –
Industrial trial
MPact Paper Mills manu

facture recycledbased packa
ging and industrial paper gra
des. Fibre used in this process
is a combination of recycled
industrial waste and sugar
cane bagasse.
One of the biggest costs of
producing quality packaging
grades at any wastebased
operation is the shading
requirements of their custo
mers. This particular machine
is a single ply fourdrinnier
without a size press, hence
Correct selection of dyestuffs for successful trials is cri internal dyeing of the sheet requires the addition of
tical and particularly complicated. large amounts of brown and black dye.
Mpact management awarded ACAT a 7day onmachi
The three coordinates of CIELAB represents the light ne trial based on color matching and onsite laboratory
ness of the color (L*= 0 yields black and L* =100 indica analysis done using Robama Trupocor brown and black
tes diffuse white; specular white may be higher), its dye specifically blended to mill specification.
Trial results:
Target PreTrial Trial
Brown dye addition – kg/ton

Black Dye addition – kg/ton
L* Value (average)
a* Value (average)
position between red/magenta and green (a*, negative Summary:

values indicate green while positive values indicate • A significant overall reduction in brown dye
magenta) and its position between yellow and blue consumption
(b*, negative values indicate blue and positive values • Very stable L* and a* values despite challenging
indicate yellow.) Robama were able to blend a brown changing conditions during the trial.
dye to achieve the L*, a* and b* values to meet our • Guaranteed future business and a first for supply of
specific customer’s requirements. dyestuff into the paper industry.

BIO‐BASED SUSTAINABLE ADDITIVES
Our supplier Münzing Chemie and Applied Chemicals feel the responsibility of contributing
towards environmental protection and sustainable development. With the bio‐based addi‐
tives of Münzing Chemie a variety of additives is available to meet these criteria.
Photo: Münzing Chemie GmbH

AUTHORS: DR. NICHOLAS BÜTHE
ALEX FRANK
Sustainable development is devel

opment that serves the needs of
the present generation without
compromising the ability of future
generations. The paint and coat
ings industry is increasingly aware
of the need to produce in a sus
tainable manner. The marketed
products must not only be eco
nomically but also socially and
ecologically sustainable. Sustain
ability is originally a forestry prin
ciple according to which no more
wood must be cut down as can
regrow respectively. Raw materi
als for paints based on regenera
tive raw materials help to achieve
this overall goal of sustainability.
Both Münzing Chemie, as a pro

ducer, and Applied Chemicals as a
supplier have already been certi
fied according to Responsible
Care. This program is a global ini
tiative of the chemical industry to The biobased additives of Münz METOLAT
continuously improve the environ ing Chemie also meet a variety of wetting / dispersing agent
mental, health, safety and security biolabels (see fig. page 26). EDAPLAN
knowledge and performance of wetting / dispersing agent
our technologies, processes and The available additives cover a AGITAN P powder defoamer
products over their life cycles so as wide spectrum of services. In the METOLAT P powder shrinkage
to avoid harm to people and the table below the main product reducing additive
environment. In addition, both groups are listed: METOLAT P
companies meet a number of powder wetting agent
other certifications such as ISO AGITAN / DEE FO / FOAM BAN
9000, 14001, 50001. TAFIGEL Depending on product, the addi

Graphiks: Münzing Chemie GmbH
tives consist of a significant different high organic con METOLAT 367 (ca. 33%)
tent. Some examples with their respective share of the METOLAT 368 (ca. 99%)
raw materials that are not based on fossil origin are METOLAT 388 (ca. 50%)
listed below. METOLAT 390 (ca. 70%)
METOLAT P 588 (ca. 65%)
AGITAN 109 (ca. 70%) METOLAT TH 75 (ca. 87%)
AGITAN 271 (ca. 50%) OMBRELUB 533 (ca. 97%)
AGITAN 301 (ca. 85%) OMBRELUB 730 (ca. 85%)
AGITAN 361 (ca. 95%)
AGITAN 373 (ca. 95%) With the additives of Münzing Chemie, Applied Chemi
EDAPLAN 397 (ca. 30%) cals can cover a variety of applications with biobased
LEUKONÖL LBA2 (ca. 85%) additives. Our representatives will gladly advise you to
METOLAT 250 (ca. 85%) find the most suitable product for your application.

ACAT ART CALENDAR
THE POWER OF COLOURS

There are countless colours and the world of colours is really exciting. The current ACAT art
calendar deals with this subject presenting itself as a real firework of colours: twelve sensi‐
tively composed artworks by Erwin Kastner and twelve comments providing insight on the
power of colours and their meaning for our lives.
AUTHOR: GERTRUDE MITTERBÖCK supermarket, at the fashion house, when doing sports.
Everywhere our feelings can be manipulated by colours
and deliberately selected moods can be created by
them. We are powerless against it. However, the way
Do you like colours? Why are we attracted by some we perceive a colour depends also on surroundings
colours and why do we perceive some colours as being and on current emotional life.
repugnant? Probably each of us has a favourite colour.
Then presumably we favour this for our clothes and Colours have great power
our surroundings . The world is full of colours. Life and
colours are inseparably linked. They have a strong effect on our senses, body, mind
and soul. A specific colour may influence our decisions
Is my RED also your RED? and induce a variety of reactions, feelings and associa
tions in humans. Colours affect our gestures and facial
Colours prompt different feelings, they influence our expressions, our lives and our behaviour. Colours help
mood and vice versa we can create moods with us to better cope with stress, to strengthen our resili
colours. Colours affect us without our noticing: at the ence and to become more active and optimistic.

ACAT ART CALENDAR
Colours have a meaning
Depending on culture and traditions

colours are interpreted differently.
In our culture area the following
applies:
red = love,
yellow = envy,
blue = loyalty,
green = hope,
white = innocence
Ancient cultures had a comprehen

sive knowledge of the meaning of
the colours for human beings and
they knew a lot about the energetic
influence of colours. Colours send
out signals, they emphasize our per
sonality and contribute to our well
being. However, before we make use
of the energy of colours for a harmonious and happy
life, we should know a few things about the symbolic • YELLOW stimulates the spirit, enhances
meaning of the colours. concentration and learning ability, brings sunshine
to the soul and removes dark moods, has a protecti
The symbolic meaning of colours ve effect.
• BLACK is the colour of individuality, extravagance,
• RED stands for life, energy, power and passion, elegance, dignity, but black also stands for death
invigorates, awakens inner forces, increases self and mourning.
esteem, makes vital and dynamic. • LIGHT BLUE is the colour of relaxation, helps to settle
• GREEN increases peace, endurance, helpfulness, disputes and invites you to dream.
tolerance and satisfaction, calms the nerves, impro • BROWN gives us safety, security, peace and com
ves concentration, helps to equilibrate body and posure, helps with lack of grounding, preserves your
soul. own naturalness.
• WHITE provides clarity, symbolizes light and purity, • GREY stands for neutrality and caution, helps to
modesty, innocence, neutrality, the beginning, the sharpen judgments and criticism, helps to appease
new, the ideal. and repress
• ORANGE gives strength and energy, increases • VIOLET encourages inner balance, peace, dignity and
pleasure, lightness, creativity, helps to reduce stress compassion. It awakens meditative powers and is
and drives negative emotions away said to possess painkilling properties. It also encou
• BLUE symbolises peace, harmony, loyalty, calms rages healthy sleep.
excitability and nervousness, encourages communi • GOLD increases selfawareness, selfesteem, vitality
cation and objectivity, brings on a dreamy mood and and wellbeing. It is the colour of beauty, wisdom
helps with sleep problems. and wealth.

CHARITY
AID FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

In August 2014 a devastating flood destroyed large parts of the Balkan Peninsula. The trage‐
dy claimed many victims and from one moment to the next the survivors were left with not‐
hing, with the hometown of ACAT employee Goran Bijelic being severely affected. Sponta‐
neously the ACAT family were able to help make things easier and made the best of a bad
job ‐ perhaps even human lives were saved.
The flood catastrophe occurring in August of last year homes were totally destroyed by the floods, my pets
flooded large parts of the Balkan Peninsula and it also did not survive.
has hit hard my native country. Particularly bad were During the first days and weeks after the flood I tried
the first four days of the disaster, when people had as best I could to help with relief consignments from
neither food nor water and electricity. It was a matter Austria to Bosnia. Thanks to the help of the great ACAT
of pure survival. family the venture was successful until international
To get an idea of the scope of the disaster I sent some aid had arrived.
photos to the mobile phones of my colleagues: The On behalf of my fellow men, friends and family in Bos
dam was broken and within only six minutes the water nia I would like to take this opportunity to thank you
level in the city of Doboj climbed up to two meters. once again for your support in these difficult days and
Two days later it reached the unimaginable height of weeks. It was a great help and it means a lot to us.
seven meters! The house of my parents as well as our Goran Bijelic

COMPANY NEWS
In a Far Away Country at a New Age:

AN ADVENTURE CALLED BAIKAL (Part 2)
From the point of view of HANS HERTEL the “Adventure Baikal” was the craziest trip “the paperma
ker” ever made. Nevertheless, in retrospect it was an unforgettably beautiful trip. Read more in the
second part of his entertaining report!
week. The airport staff told me that this matter needs to be
Author Hans Hertel dealt with at the Aeroflot Head Office in Irkutsk. So we left
for the office. After arriving I was taken to the commander.
He was a small, wiry and very kind man and he asked me in
perfect German,” Gospodin Hertl what can I do for you?” I
explained my situation. After some calls my return ticket was
booked. When I asked him why he speaks German fluently
he told me that he has been head of the Aeroflot office in
Frankfurt for ten years.
The first problem was solved. The next hurdle to be mas
tered was to get tickets for the train to Selenginsk, 400 km
away from Irkutsk. Where do you get them? As everybody
knows, at the railway station! After endless discussions with
the responsible official we got three forth class tickets for the
night train. Today I write down the term “forth class ticket”
as if it is the most natural thing in the world. At that time,
AUTHOR: HANS HERTEL however, I couldn't stop gazing in amazement when I saw
the fourth class railway carriage. Only few people still
remember the German passenger trains in the immediate
postWW2 period. Along the longitudinal axis of the car
From the point of view of HANS HERTEL the “Adventure riages there were two benches where passengers sat back to
Baikal” was the craziest trip “the papermaker” has ever back. Additional there were benches along the sidewalls. To
made. Nevertheless, in retrospect it was a very nice trip. transport as many passengers as possible the remaining large
Continue reading the second part of the entertaining free floor space was for standing places. In Irkutsk we board
report!The journey from Frankfurt via St. Petersburg to Irkut ed such a railway carrier together with a lot of Roma people.
sk at the beginning of the 90s, was the subject of the first Like us, obviously those people did not have enough money
part of this story. Before I continue, a general comment: for a really comfortable Russian sleeping carriage made in
many employees of Russian institutes are very clever people the GDR. On time at 22:30 the train departed. As there was
who are able to solve also tricky problems. ”. During my trips only little light the fellow passengers were only shadowy
to Russia I had got to know some of these very crafty persons recognisable. It was warm and there was a variety of smell in
and I have kept them in good memory. Usually you are in the air and, let`s say, something you do not get used to.
good hands with them. Certainly, the man who picked us up As a precaution we took our well known “sleeping pill” and
from the airport in Irkutsk, was not one of them. For me he laid down on the hard wooden benches to sleep. The last
was “the shining light from the Lake Baikal”. Since two thing I remember that night was an upright sitting, pretty
weeks he has known my travel data and he only was respon round Roma grandma who eyed us suspiciously for a while.
sible for the procurement of the railway and the flight tick Apparently she wanted to check us, to find out whether she
ets. But he did not get any ticket at all. However, he told me, could trust us or not. As this question was answered obvious
that the earliest date for my return flight would be in 10 or ly in the affirmative, she plumped down with a loud noise.
14 days – but he did not know yet the exact travel dates. It Let us assume that the noise was caused by a loose board.
was an unacceptable situation for me. Expressly and unam By and by the sun rose in the east. Suddenly the train
biguously I explained my Russian assistants, that I would not stopped – in my opinion we were between stations. It took
leave Irkutsk without a confirmation for a return flight in one me a while to realise that we have arrived at the “Central

Photo: Kirsten Buerger/ru.wikipedia.org
The Lake Baikal has gigantic dimensions, it is the largest freshwater resource of the world
Station” Irkutsk. Our reception committee was already wait a big pulp mill in Baikalsk were decommissioned. At least
ing beside the station building: three freezing people in the those two mills do not pollute the Lake Baikal any more. This
dawn. The welcome was very friendly, nearly warm, especial is very important, because the Lake Baikal or just Baikal – as
ly for me. But the next sentences – addressed to my compan the Russians simply call him is the largest freshwater reser
ions were less friendly,” It was high to arrive. We spent voir of the world. Here are some figures the comparative
three nights waiting for you!” Long live the efficient planning figures for the Lake Constance are given in parentheses to
and organisation, and with a mobile phone this would not illustrate how large it is: length 670 (63) km, width 85 (14)
have happened. But it seemed that people in Siberia were km. With a depth of 1.637 (254) m it is the world's deepest
unfamiliar with both methods. I couldn't stop gazing in lake. The unimaginable volume is 23600 (48) m³, the surface
amazement although I had made already about a dozen trou area is 31 700 (536) km² and the length of the seashore is
blefree trips to Russia. more than 2.100 (273) km, which corresponds to the dis
Concerning the technological part of my visit I would like to tance from Gothenburg to Rom. It might be thought that the
be brief. Only three of the announced nine paper machines waste water of one paper mill is negligible, but there are a
were in operation. Supposedly three paper machines were in lot of industrial polluters along the shore. Each decommis
reconstruction and the remaining three had been taken out sioned plant helps to improve water quality and protect the
of operation a long time ago. I realized quickly that even the environment for present and future generations.
best retention agents would have hardly effect sustained Back to the paper mill: After four days of more or rather less
improvements in paper production. Certainly, we would productive laboratory work a report was prepared and dis
have been able to reduce the pollution load of the waste cussed with many technologist. Then the inevitable hap
water significantly with the appropriate chemistry, but it was pened: Before returning to Irkutsk in the evening my hosts
clearly visible that the paper machines were not in such good wanted to give me an insight into the beauty of the Russian
conditions to carry out longterm chemical trials. The risk to landscape. So at noon the technologists, my two companions
fail was too high. and I went by bus to the Lake Baikal, about 30 km away. It
To my knowledge, in the meantime this paper mill as well as took us one hour to get there. We stopped in front of a gen

COMPANY NEWS
erously dimensioned wooden house, which obviously was the pastI often had spent a 20mark banknote less prof
part of the paper mill and used as a guest house. For the itable, and the half a pack of cigarettes was to get over.
first time on this trip I was impressed by the organizational Finally, day was over, work was done, and I was on my way
skills of my hosts. The general manager had sent ahead his back home, sleeping in a rolling bed ..
cook with a limousine. So when we arrived, a perfect barbe But people living in the region around the Lake Baikal do not
cue was already prepared for us. But there was one prob surrender so quickly! After about two hours travelling, the
lem: it was realised that the "good" vodka had been used train stopped at a station. Suddenly someone knocked loud
up. They did not want to offer to us the usual fusel, so ly and vigorously on the window of our train compartment:
“Strohrum” was served, a terrible alcoholic beverage, made The "Heroes of Selenginsk" had followed the train by car
in Austria. Usually it is used only for mixed drinks (three and in fact, they had outrun it. Beaming with joy, they hand
parts water, one part alcohol), but the Russians drank it ed over to me the case with the samples. Visibly they were
almost undiluted. After eating the manager invited me to go happy to give back this "valuable" piece to me. I thanked
for a walk along the lake shore. He filled a beaker with lake them and expressed my respect.
water and asked me to drink to convince me of the high Unfortunately, for me the trip was still far from being over.
water quality. I'm still not sure whether I drank something In Irkutsk an employee of the institute received us and took
special. However, the fact is, that I was not very impressed. us to a small hotel.
Suddenly the manager spoke to me in good German with We had to get through the whole day because the sched
Swabian accent. He told me that his ancestors were Ger uled time of departure was at 6:30 pm. Unfortunately, I did
man, but that he would never speak this language in the not see much on the customary city tour. The efforts of the
presence of his Russian compatriots. last days had left their mark and additional I had caught a
The train left at 22:30 clock, so it was time to go to the sta cold. Far too early a taxi took us to the airport. The depar
tion in Selenginsk. Meanwhile, the alcohol took full effect. ture hall was crowded and that should have given us food
The bus ride was very funny. Alternately, the manager and for thought. Hour by hour passed, but not only one single
the chorus of the technologists sang melancholic Russian airplane took off or landed. Finally, at nine clock in the
songs. Wildly gesticulating they asked me to sing also. So I evening we were informed that our flight was postponed to
sang some sad, moody songs by Friedrich Silcher, such the late morning next day. It was of course a great disap
as.”Loreley” and “Ännchen von Tharau”...thank God, it was pointment. I sent my friend Boris back to town to find a
n't long before we arrived at the railway station. room for the night. After two hours Boris came back and
At this point I would like to insert an episode. To carry out told me that all hotels were fully booked. Of course, for a lot
laboratory tests, on my business trips I usually had a small of money, I went to town by taxi. I left the driver waiting
case with polymer samples with me. This suitcase I have outside the first hotel that came along and asked at the
given to my “Adjutant Boris”, to take care of it and ensure reception for two beds for one night. The receptionist con
that it would be always with us. When we said goodbye to firmed the statement of Boris: the hotel was fully booked
our hosts at the railway platform or what was called plat but only for the next day because a few hundred delegates
form I noticed that the sample case was missing. "Boris, would arrive for a congress. Therefore, it was not possible to
where are our samples?" Everyone was upset! The sample book rooms for today. I made it clear to the lady that we
case had obviously been left in the hotel. I told them that would have left the hotel long before the delegates will
this would not be so bad. But the technologists disagreed. arrive. Finally, we have agreed, and I just had to pick up
Although the train was already within earshot two of them Boris from the airport – of, course with the expensive taxi. If
left immediately for the hotel. It was clear that they could mobile phones had existed at that time, it would have been
not come back again before train departure. And so it was. much easier. Tired to death we went to bed. A few weeks
Without the sample case we boarded the train to Irkutsk. later I got to know from our office in Moscow the reason
The employees of collective combine looked embarrassed why all flights have had been cancelled that day in Irkutsk:
after the train. But in this case the jury was not still out. even after several reminders Aeroflot failed to pay the costs
This time I had a 2 bed sleeping compartment. I was really for the aviation fuel, so the supplier stopped deliveries.
tired and wanted to take advantage of the ten hour journey Unfortunately, I had noticed that my foreign exchange
to recover and to sleep. First, however, there were prob reserves ran short. However, the lady at the reception desk
lems with our tickets. The conductor shouted furiously at us told me that I could pay the room with my plastic card next
that we would have the wrong tickets and, moreover, for morning. At that time this mode of payment was only possi
eigners had to pay at least three times the rate of the locals. ble without problem in Moscow and St. Petersburg, in other
I succeeded to persuade Boris to leave the compartment. As parts of the Soviet Union, it was practiced only rarely. The
usual, the men in uniform and I solved the problem in a next morning I was told that the only person who knew how
quick and unbureaucratic manner. I must confess that in to use the plastic money machine did not come for work. So

I had to pay with my last cash the room and the taxi to the Certainly it will come as no surprise to anyone that the air
airport. craft landed at BerlinSchönefeld instead of BerlinTegel. To
As expected the remaining travelling time also was not trou get my connecting flight to Frankfurt I went by taxi to Berlin
blefree: the flight to St. Petersburg was delayed by more Tegel, about 30 km away. I did not have enough cash to pay
than one day – and moreover the plane started not as for the trip, so I asked the taxi driver to stop at an ATM. He
planned in the morning but in the early evening. When I sympathised with me and without further comment he met
finally landed at St. Petersburg, all connecting flights to Ger my request.
many had taken off and I had to survive another night at a The flight to Frankfurt was the end of this adventurous jour
Russian hotel. Fortunately, next day at noon there was a ney. My answer to the question "thumbs up or thumbs
flight to Berlin. One took a pity on me and I got a ticket for it. down" is: "Despite all adversities the trip to Lake Baikal was
As usual, at the passport control at St. Petersburg the officer beautiful and funny!"
looked at me searchingly, and then he asked brusquely: For a long time I've been pushing off writing a report about
"Goose Gertel?" I answered his question in the affirmative it.
and got the redemptive stamp into my passport. Once again, Since that time many years have passed and I still like to
I was graciously dismissed from the Great Russian Empire. think of this extraordinary journey!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Dr. Staffan O. Bjöörn celebrated 70 years adventure of life!
Late last summer the founder and princi sewage treatment plants had to be built
pal shareholder of the ACAT group, Dr. first.
Staffan O. Bjöörn celebrated a milestone In the first half of the 80s after a long
birthday 70 years ago he was born in startup period, the sales of chemicals
Sweden, moving to Basel, Switzerland at increased to acceptable levels and for the
an early age, with his parents. In 1947 first time the courageous decision started
immediately after the 2nd World War, his to bear fruit. This business segment
father Erland O. Bjöörn founded Cell AG, recorded strong and sustainable growth.
which initially put the focus on the In 1994 Staffan Bjöörn decided to spin off
rebuilding of the pulp trade from Sweden this business area into a separate compa
to Switzerland which had come to a stand ny. This was the hour of birth of the
still during the war. From an early age he Applied Chemicals Group. Today the com
became familiar with all ups and downs of pany operates worldwide and generates
entrepreneurship. In the 1970s after grad sales of EUR 50 million with about 100
uation in economics, he joined the Cell employees.
group, which was already represented in It takes a lot of courage and a good deal of
many European countries. entrepreneurial spirit to build something
In 1980 he followed in the footsteps of his father and took like that up from nothing and to make the right decisions for
over control of the company and since then the joys and bur the future. The Applied Chemicals Group is one of the few
dens of entrepreneurship have been his daily bread. As CEO remaining familyowned companies of this size.
he further developed the group steadily and consistently It is a service and customer oriented supplier of specialty
soon recognizing the need for diversification into other busi chemicals with focus on application technology and it is com
ness areas. But trading with pulp still was his core business. pletely independent. The name the ACAT is closely linked
Furthermore he was the Swedish consul general in Basle, with the Bjöörn family, providing sustainability and continu
Switzerland. ity.
He broadened the product portfolio of the CELL group by Staffan Bjöörn is a proud father and an even prouder grand
gaining important suppliers for minerals and chemical addi father. With his descendants he has laid the foundation for a
tives for the paper industry, which were hardly available at longterm future of the ACAT as an independent family
that time. That was very farsighted. In contrast to the current owned company, for the benefit of employees and cus
situation, specialty chemicals were hardly used in paper tomers.
industry, they were even frowned upon. The market for envi The entire staff look forward to many more years of coopera
ronmental technology was almost nonexistent because tive work and congratulates on your 70th birthday!

INTERN
ANNIVERSARIES
Erich Sailer: A veteran is 30! Susi Durst: 15 years advertising
In summer when it is getting loud and marketing for ACAT
er and louder in front of the Vien
nese office, it can be assumed It takes a great deal of enthusi
that once again our Easy Rider has asm and commitment to swear
unwrapped his sparkling motorcy our technical staff on a uniform
cle and rides to work. When the line in advertising and market
impressive sound fades away, a ing. In the daily work routine of
youthfullooking figure gets off an application engineer the
the noble vehicle and takes off his positioning of logos and glossy
helmet. One can quickly realise
brochures do not have not top
that the first youthful impression
priority. But for a company the
was not right, but in any case it is really a dynamic
appearance.
external appearance is of great importance. For the
It is hard to believe, but our Erich Sailer is celebrating his past 15 years our Susi Durst has been the custodian of
30th company anniversary! As a member from the very our corporate identity and she has mastered this task
start he has built up painstakingly the ACAT environmen with a great deal of skill and care.
tal technology in Austria and Central Europe. For decades
he has been head of “HIS” environmental technology Trade fairs or our new Internet web sites, brochures,
department in Austria and Hungary with high compe working clothes, printed forms, calendars, giveaways
tence and he is held in great esteem. and much, much more with a lot of experience and
Erich has built up a highly competent team of employees passion she maintains our optical image!
that is without equal in this sector. Wherever he appears
he receives appreciation. Susi, we thank you for your great commitment and for
It is really a great feeling looking back on such a great
the excellent care of our promotional and marketing
career. In view of the many upcoming projects also the
activities and for your patience with us inveterate and
future is promising. Erich we thank you for your loyalty
and your valuable work in our business development and sometimes uncomprehending technicians! Congratu
we look forward to many, many years together and to lations on the 15 year anniversary and we look for
your 40th anniversary! MZ ward to the next 15 years together! MZ
Josef Söllner: 15 Years ACAT‐Mechanical Engineering Christian Kozanda: 10 Years dedicated efforts
Photos: Christine NestlerKenzian
For 15 years, Josef Söllner has Since 10 years Christian Kozanda

been an employee of ACAT. has been member of the ACAT
Due to the development of the family. Initially he was responsi
spare parts and service busi ble for the mechanical preclari
ness, he provides a certain fication and he succeeded in
degree of stability in the crisis establishing the Grimmel screen
ridden project business within systems in Austria. In the course
the mechanical engineering of internal changes he was
department. He needs to be fle entrusted with the mechanical
xible to adapt to the changes and trends of the market sludge dewatering and helped to further optimize the
and to reorient again and again. ACAT screw press.
His responsibilities include a wide spectrum, but just Christian serves our customers efficiently and in supe
to name a few: chamber filter presses with alternate rior style. He always finds solutions and he does not
clothes, screw presses as well as the highperformance mind to get up very early in the morning and to have
new Spaans Babcock screw pumps. Josef, we apprecia long working days. We particularly appreciate his
te your flexibility and your loyalty to your colleagues entrepreneurial spirit corresponding to the ACAT phi
and to our company. We hope that we will continue to losophy. Christian, thank you for your dedicated
successfully master the challenges in the future. efforts. We look forward to further joint "adventures"!
POB POB

NEWCOMERS
Heiko Zien: Joined the German paper team Peter Lauscha: In the service of ACAT screw presses!
On 1 September 2014 Heiko For the further development of
Zień took up his duties as a new international markets for
member of our German paper the ACAT screw press we hired
sales team. Already in the a new employee. Since May
third generation working in 2014 Peter Lauscha has been
working for our company and is
paper industry, Heiko is an responsible for the expansion
expert in the field of paper of our international distributor
chemicals. He acquired many network. In addition, he sup
years of experience working ports existing partners and pre
at Woellner, Ciba and BASF. sents the ACAT screw presses
He predominantly serves our at international trade fairs.
customers in East Germany. Peter Lauscha is an enthusiastic
As he is a passionate skier amateur athlete. Especially en
Heiko Zien likes to ski in his joying outdoor pursuits such as
spare time and sometimes he mountain climbing, hiking and
mountain biking. Peter, we wel
"kicks" as a hobby footballer. come you at the ACAT team!
Jean‐Oliver Haug: On the road in Switzerland Franz Schneider: New member of ACAT
Since 1 November 2014 Jean
Olivier Haug has been with the
paper technology
Swiss ACAT watertech team. Already in April 2014 Franz
After eight years working in the Schneider joined ACAT. Due to
field service of various compa his technical knowledge in
nies operating in the waste electrical engineering and pro
water sector, he joined our gramming, he changed to paper
company, full of experience. department in November 2014.
Jean Olivier mainly operates in His area of responsibility inclu
Frenchspeaking Switzerland des the support of the entire
and his main task is the distri mechanical engineering inclu
bution of metal salts. ding programming. Planning,
Jean Olivier dedicates his free implementation and commis
time to his young family. His sioning of the projects take
greatest passion is collecting Franz to various countries. For
anything that has to do with tunately, he likes travelling and
beer. We warmly welcome our various sports. Franz, we wel
new team member! come you at the team!
Gerhard Heigl: For Fresh Wave at ACAT Scheibbs Bradley Ballantyne: New in Team South Africa
Gerhard Heigl is a skilled ma Bradley Ballantyne (Brad), born
chine fitter, engineering in Zambia, moved to South Afri
draftsman and parttime far ca in 1981. He has been in the
mer. At ACAT Scheibbs he is paper industry since finishing
responsible for the expanding school in 1988 and has been a
production of Fresh Wave chemical sales representative
products and for the raw since 1996. He started off as a
materials warehouse. It is junior sales representative and
planned to further expand his worked himself up to become a
position to a production man Regional Sales Manager before
ager. In addition, he will play joining ACAT. He completed a
a part in diverse projects as Diploma in Sales and Marketing
an engineering draftsman. and thereafter completed a
Gerhard likes to spend his 5year Management Develop
free time with his two daugh ment Programme. He is a fit
ters and his life partner. Dear ness fanatic, loves various
Gerhard, We wish you a lot of sports and is passionate about
success at our company! the outdoors.

COMPANY NEWS
NEWCOMERS
Lorenz Dycke: New at ACAT‐Basel Josef Fallnhauser: New in paper division Vienna
For the expansion of our business Since 1st January 2015 Josef Fallnhau
ser has been supporting our proven
sector of natural odour neutrali paper technology team in Vienna in
zers we were looking for a sales technical service, because we plan
and marketing assistant for the further expansion in this sector. Josef
support of our European custo is a trained car and motorcycle mecha
nic. From 1989 to 1991 he completed
mers and we found Lorenz training as a paper maker. After two
Dycke. Certainly, his training as a decades of working in the paper pro
wholesaler and export merchant duction, he changed sides and became
will be beneficial to both him and a supplier to better use his rich experi
ence in application technology. Josef
us.
lives in Bad Vigaun near Salzburg, is married with two children. If
His favourite leisure activities are paragliding, biking and time permits, he will pursue his hobbies including motorcycles,
playing saxophone. Good luck and welcome to the team! motor sports and swimming. In papermaking a continuous, trou
AR blefree dosing of additives is essential. We are very pleased to
win with Josef an expert in this field and wish a good start! MZ
Roman Eichbauer: Managing Paper Technology

On 1st January 2015 Roman Eichbauer BE WELCOME BABY
took over the management of ACAT
paper technology department for
Central and Eastern Europe. After Ronny Schulz has become Daddy!
graduating from his studies in Paper
Little Helena was born on
Production at the University of Mu
nich, Roman gained occupational ex 12 January 2015. She was
perience in production and manage 54 cm tall and weighed
ment at the former paper mill 3570 g. From the very
“Hallein Papier”. By joining Nalco in first moment she has
2005 Roman changed from producer
been a real bundle of joy.
to supplier and deepened his expert
ise in chemical application technology The ACAT team wishes
and commercial matters. Roman lives in St. Koloman near the proud parents a lot of
Hallein, and he is married with three children and one grand pleasure with their little
child. We are very pleased with this experienced, competent girl.
and energetic strengthening of our paper technology team. We
wish Roman every success in his new challenging duties!
MARRIAGES: FOUR HAD THE COURAGE!

Doris Fischer: If angels marry...
David Nowakowski has married!
…then the weather is nice and all guests and
the bridal couple are happy. Just before the end of
On 27 June 2014, the civil wedding of our the year, on 30 Decem
dear Doris formerly Rücker with Stephan ber 2014 David Nowa
Fischer took place in the picturesque rose kowski and his bride
garden of Schloss Weikersdorf in Baden. The went to the registry
festive atmosphere of the Renaissance office in Hünfeld (Ger
Schlosshotel, the bright blue sky that was many) where they got
not common in the summer of 2014, the married in a civil cere
live music and many other things made not mony. Following this
only the ceremony but the whole day so the event was cele
unique and memorable for the newlyweds brated together with
that even some tears of happiness were their families.
shed. We wish Doris & Stephan only the We wish David and his dear wife many decades toget
very best for their future together! her in pure harmony, in short, only the very best!
HR

ACAT International Group
Neubadstrasse 7
CH-4015 Basle
Switzerland
T +41 61 282 82 80
F +41 61 282 82 89
your global partner for better solutions [email protected]
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1 APPLIED CHEMICALS International Group

Applied Chemicals International Group

2 Seminar for Sewage Sludge in Wels

2 New Types of BentStar® Bentonites

3 Visit us at the ECS

3 Set out for APV!

3 FreshWave®IAQ at CMS in Berlin

4 20 Years of ACAT ­ A very special anniversary

ACAT Technics Center Scheibbs/ NÖ 5 New overall management of paper technology

6 ACAT­Scheibbs: 15 Years Technics Center

12 Upgrades of Research and Product Development

13 FlocStar® ­ Our Struvite­Preventer

15 Highly effective Acrylamide­free Polymers for Sludge Dewatering

17 Up in the Air ­ International Distribution

23 Successful Dye Trials in South Africa

25 Bio­based Sustainable Additives

ACAT ART CALENDAR

30 Hans Hertel: Adventure Baikal (Part 2)

4 inside acat 1/2015

inside acat 1/2015 7

IMPRINT INSIDE ACAT

inside acat 1/2015 1

Like in Germany before, now also many other Europe­

ACAT introduces two new BentStar® bentonite types

2 inside acat 1/2015

From 21 to 23 April 2015 the European Coatings Show

FreshWave®IAQ AT CMS IN BERLIN

The CMS Cleaning ­ Management – Services is the

inside acat 1/2015 3

4 inside acat 1/2015

I would like to take this opportunity to express my

New overall management

inside acat 1/2015 5

ACAT SCHEIBBS: 15 Years Technics Centre

Polymer powder system

6 inside acat 1/2015

Since July 2009 Theo Weinbrenner has been heading

Since the start of 2015 Susanna Weinrother has been

Josef Praschl is responsible for the technical concepts

inside acat 1/2015 7

The difference between the two

Polyelectrolyte solutions in paper

Groundbreaking Solutions from ACAT Technics Centre

ABA (Betonite unit)

8 inside acat 1/2015

Dosing Unit PolyJet PPU­2

inside acat 1/2015 9

AUTHOR: KENAN ENGERINI SSG is particularly interested in the combination of Flo­

FLOTEX: "As comfortable as a textile floor covering,

All our FreshWave®IAQ products are

Due to the great problems caused by incontinence the

10 inside acat 1/2015

inside acat 1/2015 11

AUTHOR: PER O. BJÖÖRN

For nearly 20 years Romano Reng­

Romano still feels young and

12 inside acat 1/2015

FlocStar® ‐ OUR STRUVITE­PREVENTER

AUTHOR: ERICH SAILER What is STRUVITE?

4 20 Years of ACAT A very special anniversary

6 ACATScheibbs: 15 Years Technics Center

13 FlocStar® Our StruvitePreventer

15 Highly effective Acrylamidefree Polymers for Sludge Dewatering

17 Up in the Air International Distribution

25 Biobased Sustainable Additives

Like in Germany before, now also many other Europe

The CMS Cleaning Management – Services is the

Dosing Unit PolyJet PPU2

AUTHOR: KENAN ENGERINI SSG is particularly interested in the combination of Flo

For nearly 20 years Romano Reng

FlocStar® ‐ OUR STRUVITEPREVENTER

In the most commonly used activated sludge treat

We made great progress in the particularly highvol

MPact Paper Mills manu

Target PreTrial Trial

Sustainable development is devel

Both Münzing Chemie, as a pro

Ancient cultures had a comprehen