TecnoMicro – Low-Surface-Energy Coating for Headboxes & Wet-End Process Surfaces

Reduce fibre build-up, slime and contamination in paper and board machines

Clean flow surfaces are critical for stable paper and board production.

In the wet end of a paper machine, surfaces are continuously exposed to water, fibres, additives, process chemicals and organic material. Combined with elevated temperatures and closed water loops, these conditions can promote fibre adhesion, dirt accumulation, slime and biofouling.

The consequences can include more frequent cleaning, production interruptions and defects such as holes, spots and unwanted odours. PR Rolls' technical material also identifies corrosion, raw-material quality and chemical costs among the problems associated with contamination and bacterial growth.

TecnoMicro is PR Rolls' low-surface-energy treatment for headboxes and other wet-end process surfaces. It creates a smooth, dirt-repellent surface designed to reduce adhesion of fibres, slime and process contaminants.

The treatment can be performed on-site during a planned shutdown, allowing existing equipment to be upgraded without unnecessary dismantling or transportation.

Why Clean Headbox Surfaces Matter

The headbox is one of the most critical components of a paper or board machine.

Its purpose is to deliver and distribute the fibre suspension uniformly onto the forming section. For this reason, the condition and cleanliness of the internal flow surfaces are important for stable production.

When fibres, slime or other contaminants adhere to the flow surfaces, deposits can gradually grow.

Eventually, accumulated material may detach and enter the stock flow.

This can contribute to:

• Dirt-related sheet defects
• Holes and spots
• Fibre build-up
• Slime deposits
• Cleaning requirements
• Production interruptions
• Unstable operating conditions

TecnoMicro addresses the problem at the surface itself by making it more difficult for contaminants to adhere.

What Causes Slime, Dirt and Fibre Build-up?

Modern paper and board processes create several conditions that can increase contamination problems.

PR Rolls' TecnoMicro development material identifies factors including:

• Increased process temperatures
• Bacterial growth and biofouling
• Fibre sticking to flow surfaces
• Closed water loops
• Neutral and alkaline processes
• Increased use of recycled fibres
• Glues and additives
• Increased productivity demands

The material also notes that accumulated growth can detach from surfaces as larger lumps, creating additional production problems.

These conditions make surface cleanliness increasingly important as mills seek to operate with higher productivity and more closed process-water systems.

Why Do Contaminants Stick to Paper Machine Surfaces?

The PDF provides a particularly useful technical explanation that I think should become central to the page.

Bacterial growth and contamination are encouraged by conditions such as rough surfaces, warm temperatures, moisture, organic material such as fibres and high surface energy.

For the surface itself, two characteristics are especially relevant:

Surface roughness
Irregular or rough surfaces provide more opportunities for fibres and contaminants to attach.

Surface energy
Higher-energy surfaces can make it easier for liquids and contaminants to wet and adhere to the surface.

TecnoMicro addresses these surface-related conditions by creating a smoother surface with significantly lower surface energy.

This changes the interaction between the process contaminants and the equipment surface.

Low Surface Energy – The Key to TecnoMicro

Make it harder for contaminants to adhere
One of the most important characteristics of TecnoMicro is its low surface energy.

PR Rolls' technical material compares the surface energy of different surfaces:

TecnoMicro reduces the surface energy from approximately 45 for the referenced AISI surface to 22, bringing the surface characteristics much closer to pure FEP.

Lower surface energy means that contaminants have less tendency to interact strongly with the treated surface.

Combined with surface smoothing, this creates a dirt-repellent functional surface designed to reduce fibre, slime and contaminant adhesion.

TecnoMicro for Paper Machine Headboxes

Keep critical flow surfaces cleaner
The headbox is one of the primary TecnoMicro applications. PR Rolls identifies headboxes specifically among the equipment treated with TecnoMicro.

Headbox flow surfaces are continuously exposed to fibre suspension and process chemicals.

Even small areas of contamination can gradually develop into larger deposits.

TecnoMicro creates a smooth, low-surface-energy surface designed to:

• Reduce fibre adhesion
• Reduce slime formation
• Reduce dirt build-up
• Improve surface cleanability
• Reduce cleaning requirements
• Support cleaner stock flow
• Reduce contamination-related production problems

The objective is not simply to make the headbox look clean after maintenance.

The objective is to change the functional characteristics of the surface so that it remains cleaner during production.

Headbox Coating to Reduce Fibre Build-up

Fibre build-up is particularly problematic because deposits can accumulate gradually before eventually detaching.

PR Rolls' technical material specifically identifies sticking of fibre to flow surfaces and subsequent peeling of accumulated growth or lumps as causes of production problems.

A low-surface-energy treatment can reduce the tendency of fibres and other contaminants to attach to the flow surface in the first place.

This provides a different approach from repeatedly removing deposits after they have formed.

Traditional approach:
Contamination → Build-up → Cleaning → Restart → New contamination

TecnoMicro approach:
Deep clean → Surface activation → Low-surface-energy treatment → Reduced adhesion → Easier cleaning

The objective is to improve the surface rather than continuously treating the symptoms.

Reduce Slime and Biofouling

Warm, wet environments containing organic material create favourable conditions for microbial activity.

PR Rolls' TecnoMicro material identifies bacterial growth and biofouling (slime) as an important wet-end production challenge.

TecnoMicro creates a dirt-repelling surface designed to help prevent the formation of slime film.

Importantly, I would not market TecnoMicro as an antibacterial or biocidal coating unless PR Rolls has separate test documentation supporting such a claim.

The technically safer and clearer explanation is:

TecnoMicro modifies the surface to make it less favourable for adhesion and build-up.
That distinction makes the content more credible.

Less Cleaning and Fewer Washing Shutdowns

Traditional approaches to slime and contamination typically involve repeated intervention.

PR Rolls' development material identifies three common methods:

Chemical treatment – potentially associated with environmental and cost-efficiency considerations.

Mechanical cleaning and washing – time-consuming and costly.

Changing the process environment – adjusting parameters such as pH, temperature and water conditions can be complicated.

TecnoMicro provides another approach by modifying the surface where adhesion occurs.

According to PR Rolls' technical material, benefits include:

• More production time
• Less bacterial growth
• Fewer and shorter washing shutdowns
• Better product quality
• Reduced risk of holes, spots and odour
• Reduced chemical use

This makes surface treatment a relevant part of a broader strategy for maintaining clean wet-end process conditions.

TecnoMicro for Pipes and Process Flow Surfaces

The same adhesion mechanisms that affect headboxes can occur elsewhere in the stock and water systems.

TecnoMicro can therefore also be applied to pipes and other suitable process flow surfaces where fibres, slime or contaminants tend to accumulate.

PR Rolls' application material specifically identifies pipes as a TecnoMicro application.

A smoother, lower-energy surface can help reduce the tendency of contaminants to adhere, supporting:

• Cleaner process surfaces
• Reduced fibre hang-ups
• Easier cleaning
• Reduced accumulation of deposits
• More stable process conditions

TecnoMicro for Screening Drums

Screening drums are continuously exposed to fibres and process contaminants.

Build-up on their surfaces can affect cleanliness and increase maintenance requirements.

PR Rolls identifies screening drums among TecnoMicro's applications.

By creating a low-surface-energy, dirt-repellent surface, TecnoMicro can help reduce adhesion and make the equipment easier to keep clean.

TecnoMicro for Wire Pits and the Forming Section

Wire pits and other wet-end surfaces operate in an environment where water, fibres, additives and contaminants are continuously present.

These conditions make them particularly susceptible to dirt and slime accumulation.

TecnoMicro can be used on suitable wire pit and forming-section surfaces to reduce contaminant adhesion and support easier cleaning. These applications are specifically identified in PR Rolls' technical documentation.

This extends TecnoMicro from being simply a "headbox coating" to a broader wet-end surface treatment.

TecnoMicro for Tanks and Containers

Process tanks and containers can also suffer from fibre, slime and dirt accumulation.

Large surface areas can make manual cleaning particularly time-consuming.

TecnoMicro can be applied to suitable tanks and containers where a smoother, dirt-repellent surface is beneficial.

The same basic principle applies:

Reduce surface energy → reduce adhesion → keep surfaces cleaner → simplify cleaning.

The TecnoMicro Treatment Process

The performance of a functional surface treatment depends on correct preparation.

PR Rolls' technical material describes a process based on two important initial stages:

1. Ecological Deep Cleaning
The existing surface is thoroughly cleaned to remove contamination and prepare it for treatment.

2. Surface Activation
After deep cleaning, the surface is activated to create the correct conditions for the TecnoMicro treatment.

The resulting treatment is designed to smooth the surface and lower its surface energy.

This is an important distinction for the page.

TecnoMicro should not be described simply as "painting Teflon onto a headbox". It is better understood as a surface-treatment process combining preparation, activation and functional low-surface-energy coating.

On-Site Headbox Surface Treatment

One of TecnoMicro's major practical advantages is that the treatment can be performed directly at the mill.

• Treatment is performed on-site
• Approximately one day of standstill is required
• The equipment is ready to use immediately after treatment
• No special technical arrangements such as water or electricity are required for the treatment

This is particularly important for headboxes and other large process components that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to remove and transport.

The TecnoMicro treatment can therefore be integrated into a planned shutdown without sending the headbox to an external workshop.

One-Day Treatment – Immediate Return to Use

Maintenance time is a critical consideration in paper and board production.

Every additional hour of shutdown represents lost production.

PR Rolls' TecnoMicro concept has therefore been developed for fast on-site execution.

The technical material specifies approximately one day of standstill, after which the treated equipment can be used immediately.

This enables mills to upgrade critical wet-end surfaces during planned maintenance while minimising the impact on production availability.

TecnoMicro vs. Conventional Cleaning

TecnoMicro should not be positioned as a replacement for all cleaning or wet-end chemistry.

Instead, it addresses a different part of the problem.

This distinction is valuable.

Chemical and mechanical methods act on the contamination.

TecnoMicro acts on the surface to which the contamination tries to adhere.

In demanding applications, these approaches may complement rather than replace each other.

How Does TecnoMicro Compare with Other Headbox Coatings?

TecnoMicro addresses the fundamental industrial challenge – keeping critical headbox and wet-end surfaces cleaner – through PR Rolls' own surface-treatment concept.

The TecnoMicro approach is built around:

• Ecological deep cleaning
• Surface activation
• Surface smoothing
• Lowering surface energy
• Dirt-repellent characteristics
• Reduced fibre and slime adhesion
• On-site treatment
• Short shutdown requirements

When comparing headbox treatments, mills should therefore consider not only the coating material but also surface preparation, adhesion characteristics, cleanability, process conditions, shutdown requirements and the type of contamination causing the problem.

Where Can TecnoMicro Be Used?

Based on PR Rolls' TecnoMicro documentation, typical applications include:

Benefits of TecnoMicro

The primary objective of TecnoMicro is to keep critical process surfaces cleaner for longer:

• Dirt-repellent functional surface
• Reduced formation of slime film
• Less bacterial growth associated with surface build-up
• More available production time
• Fewer and shorter washing shutdowns
• Reduced chemical use
• Reduced risk of holes and spots
• Reduced odour-related quality problems
• Easier cleaning

Ultimately, the value of TecnoMicro is not the coating itself.

It is the ability to reduce surface-related contamination problems that affect production availability, maintenance and product quality.

When Should You Consider TecnoMicro?

TecnoMicro should be considered when contamination repeatedly develops on headbox or wet-end process surfaces.

Typical indicators include:

• Fibre repeatedly sticks to headbox surfaces
• Slime develops on wet-end equipment
• Dirt build-up requires frequent cleaning
• Deposits detach and enter the stock flow
• Washing shutdowns reduce production availability
• Holes or spots are associated with process contamination
• Chemical cleaning requirements are high
• Recycled fibres increase glue or additive-related contamination
• Pipes or tanks require frequent cleaning
• Existing metallic surfaces have high contamination tendency

The first step should be to understand where the deposits originate and why they adhere.

TecnoMicro can then be evaluated as part of the solution.

Why Choose PR Rolls for Headbox Surface Treatment?

A headbox coating should not be treated as an isolated layer applied to an unprepared surface.

PR Rolls' TecnoMicro process combines surface cleaning, preparation, activation and functional treatment, carried out directly at the mill.

PR Rolls also provides wider on-site machining, coating, measuring and maintenance services for pulp, paper and board mills, allowing surface problems to be evaluated as part of the condition and performance of the equipment.

For mills, the objective is straightforward:

Cleaner surfaces → less build-up → easier maintenance → more available production time.

Frequently Asked Questions About TecnoMicro

What is TecnoMicro?
TecnoMicro is PR Rolls' low-surface-energy treatment for headboxes and other wet-end paper and board machine surfaces. It is designed to reduce the adhesion of fibres, dirt, slime and process contaminants.

How does TecnoMicro work?
The surface is deep-cleaned and activated before treatment. TecnoMicro then creates a smoother surface with lower surface energy, making it more difficult for contaminants to adhere. PR Rolls' technical material specifies a surface-energy value of 22 for TecnoMicro, compared with 45 for the referenced AISI surface.

Is TecnoMicro a headbox coating?
Yes. Headboxes are one of its primary applications. It can also be used on pipes, screening drums, wire pits, forming-section surfaces and various tanks and containers.

Does TecnoMicro prevent fibre build-up?
TecnoMicro is designed to reduce the tendency of fibres and other contaminants to adhere to treated surfaces by lowering surface energy and creating a smoother, dirt-repellent surface.

Does TecnoMicro prevent slime?
The treatment is designed to reduce surface conditions that promote slime-film formation and contaminant adhesion. PR Rolls' documentation identifies prevention of slime-film formation as one of TecnoMicro's advantages.

Is TecnoMicro an antibacterial coating?
PR Rolls' supplied documentation does not establish TecnoMicro as a biocidal coating. I would therefore describe its function as reducing adhesion and surface build-up, rather than claiming that it kills bacteria.

Can TecnoMicro reduce chemical cleaning?
PR Rolls' technical material identifies less use of chemicals as one of the benefits of TecnoMicro. Actual chemical savings will depend on the process and contamination conditions.

Can TecnoMicro be applied on-site?
Yes. The treatment is carried out at the mill and the PR Rolls documentation specifies approximately one day of standstill, with the equipment ready for use immediately afterwards.

What equipment can be treated with TecnoMicro?
Typical applications include headboxes, pipes, screening drums, wire pits, forming-section surfaces and various tanks and containers.

Keep Headbox and Wet-End Surfaces Cleaner

Contamination problems in the wet end cannot always be solved efficiently by cleaning the same surfaces again and again.

TecnoMicro takes a different approach.

By deep-cleaning and activating the existing surface and creating a smoother, low-surface-energy functional surface, TecnoMicro reduces the tendency of fibres, slime and dirt to adhere.

The treatment is particularly suitable for paper and board machine headboxes, but can also be used on pipes, screening drums, wire pits, forming-section surfaces, tanks and containers.

Performed directly at the mill, TecnoMicro provides a practical surface-engineering solution for mills seeking cleaner wet-end surfaces, fewer washing shutdowns, reduced chemical use and more available production time.