CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL
heinzelpöls
heinzelpöls, one of the biggest producers of elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleached and unbleached softwood sulphate pulp in Central and Eastern Europe, is based in the federal province of Styria in Austria.
Interviewees:
Mrs. Maria Stradner, Head of Communication and Marketing | Mr. Wolfgang Herk, Head of Electrical & Automation Engineering | Mr. Michael Taferner, Project Engineer E/MRT, Technical Planning
Around 530 employees work at the Pöls site, operating continuous production to manufacture high-quality pulp and paper products for international markets. The site features two integrated paper machines that produce bleached and unbleached kraft paper under the Starkraft brand. The Pöls pulp (Orion pulp) is primarily used in the production of premium printing and writing papers, as well as magazines, hygiene products, packaging materials, and specialty papers. Starkraft papers are used in a wide range of packaging and specialty applications.
Decades of reliable lighting at heinzelpöls
I-Valo and heinzelpöls share a long history that dates back to the 1990s, when I-Valo first began illuminating the company’s pulp and paper mills. Over the years, I-Valo has delivered hundreds of luminaires of different types for various areas of the plant, including lowbay and highbay LED luminaires, as well as HITE LED hood luminaires with a Ta of 110 °C.
In the early days, the facilities were lit with traditional luminaires, which have since been upgraded — either retrofitted with I-Valo’s Fit for the Future kits or replaced entirely with new I-Valo LED luminaires.
Mr. Herk: “We use I-Valo luminaires in virtually all areas of our plant – in the production facilities themselves, in various storage areas, stairwells, electrical rooms, and also outdoors. The range of applications thus covers the entire industrial area.”
Durability and reliability proven over decades
Mr. Herk: “I-Valo has been our partner for decades when it comes to lighting solutions. Over the years, we’ve had very good experiences – the quality, durability, and reliability are simply convincing.
What’s especially important to us is that the luminaires perform even under extreme conditions – such as high temperatures, chemical exposure, or dirt. Many areas, for example above the paper web, are difficult to access and can only be serviced during shutdowns. In such places, low-maintenance, robust, and long-lasting lighting is essential – and that’s exactly what I-Valo reliably provides.”
A bright step forward – Reliable LED lighting for heinzelpöls
Mr. Taferner: “Some of the luminaires we used were over 30 years old. Naturally, this led to high maintenance costs and frequent failures. The light quality was also outdated – illumination was uneven and simply too weak in some areas.
Our goal was therefore to replace the old systems with modern, low-maintenance LED luminaires that offer better light quality and lower energy consumption.
At first, we were a bit skeptical about whether LED technology would work reliably in areas with very high ambient temperatures – sometimes exceeding 50°C. In 2019, with the new paper machine PM3, we switched extensively to LED lighting for the first time.
The experience has been entirely positive: the luminaires operate reliably even under these high temperatures and without failures.“
Easy installation and outstanding product quality
Mr. Taferner: “The installation was very straightforward. The luminaires are well-made, thoughtfully designed, and easy to mount.
The connection options are clearly structured, and the mounting systems make the work much easier – even in hard-to-reach areas. You can tell that these luminaires were developed for industrial applications.
Compared to other systems, you can immediately notice the quality difference with I-Valo. It starts with the materials, continues with the seals and heat resistance, and extends to the ease of installation.
Many luminaires may look similar – but once you install them, you see which ones are truly built for continuous industrial use. I-Valo clearly belongs in the top class.
Technical support from our I-Valo contact was always available, and if we had any detailed questions, we received quick answers. This made the entire process much easier.”
Reducing energy use while enhancing workplace comfort
Mrs. Stradner: “Sustainability is a core company value for us – it runs through all areas, from production to energy supply. With I-Valo’s LED lighting, we can reduce our energy consumption while extending the lifespan of the luminaires. This not only saves electricity and maintenance costs but also reduces our CO₂ footprint. The lighting therefore perfectly supports our goal of producing in a resource-efficient and sustainable way.
The feedback from the working personnel has been consistently positive. Good lighting conditions simply mean better well-being – the eyes are less strained, and concentration lasts longer.
Many colleagues say that the work environment feels much more pleasant. And of course, good lighting is also an important safety factor – you can see better, react faster, and avoid mistakes and accidents.”
Professional collaboration that builds confidence
Mr. Herk: “The collaboration with I-Valo was very professional from the very beginning. We received extensive support already during the planning phase – from the correct selection of luminaires to design and optimal positioning.
Everything went smoothly during installation as well. What we particularly appreciate is that I-Valo remains available even after the project is completed – whether for technical questions or new requirements. You can tell they really know their products and understand what matters in industrial applications.
In our industry, the requirements for lighting are extremely high – with extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, and chemicals. I-Valo luminaires can handle all of that easily and consistently deliver high light quality.
We can therefore recommend I-Valo without hesitation.
For us, it’s clear that whenever we modernize or expand lighting in the future, I-Valo will be part of the plan again.”
Reliable light. Reliable partner.
Mr. Herk: “Our collaboration with I-Valo has been a complete success. We’ve implemented durable, efficient, and safe lighting solutions, and we particularly value the reliability – both of the products and of the cooperation.
We’re already looking forward to the next projects with I-Valo, and I would absolutely recommend I-Valo to other companies in our industry.”
Thank you to heinzelpöls for the trust and collaboration over the years
Our sincere thanks to the entire heinzelpöls team for their trust, collaboration, and openness in sharing their experiences. It’s a privilege to work together and illuminate industrial environments where reliability truly matters.