Containerboard manufacturer Papierfabrik Adolf Jass Schwarza GmbH has successfully integrated ABB’s latest L&W Autoline automatic testing solution into its production process, largely replacing manual laboratory measurements.

• Papierfabrik Adolf Jass Schwarza GmbH (Jass) has annual capacity of one million tons of corrugated base papers
• Installation of ABB’s next generation L&W Autoline automatic paper testing solution paves way for digitally centralized laboratory
• Jass moves from manual to automated testing for quicker, more frequent results and improved quality optimization opportunities

The move is part of wider digitalization project at the mill, which produces one million tons of corrugated base papers annually, and brings quality inspection closer to the production floor. Jass operators will gain reliable quality insights faster, enabling them to adjust the process and parameters to ensure increased efficiencies through fewer rejects, saving energy and raw materials usage.

Quality data from the L&W Autoline is collected in the mill's quality management system via integration with the ABB Ability™ System 800xA distributed control system and OPC communication, thus adding automated laboratory data to the mill's universal view of product quality.

“The integration of L&W Autoline automatic paper testing means we have completed the move from time-consuming manual paper testing so that our personnel can focus on quality adjustments and optimization for our end products,” said Dr. Uwe Weiss, Technical and Production Manager, Jass. “We are highly satisfied with its performance and already see the benefits of having more quality data in less time.”

“Reducing measurement uncertainty or test variability is at the heart of what automating paper testing systems can provide paper mills, enabling papermakers to make more informed decisions and take quicker corrective action,” said Felix Schäufler, Sales Specialist, ABB. “The addition of the new L&W Autoline, with the latest software standards, provides closer production control, therefore reducing the number of rejects and saving Jass both energy and raw materials.”

ABB’s next-generation L&W Autoline is the fastest and most reliable automated paper testing solution. It meets current industry standards (ISO/TAPPI) and delivers accurate and repeatable quality reports in minutes, allowing production to react faster to process disturbances.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com 

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-​to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-​specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations. go.abb/processautomation

Valmet has been chosen as the third most attractive employer by engineering students in Finland for the second year in a row. The ranking was published in Universum’s annual Talent Research, which is the biggest employer survey in Finland.

In recent years, Valmet has been actively developing its student and university collaboration in Finland and abroad. The focus has been on developing new trainee programs, establishing a global concept for university cooperation, collaborating with schools to make engineering as a subject more attractive to middle schoolers and continuing to run an active summer trainee program in Finland and Sweden. For the summer of 2022, Valmet is set to have close to 500 summer trainees working in Valmet locations around Finland.  

“It is a big honor to be recognized as an attractive employer. It means that we are on the right track and that our efforts to attract and build relationships with future talents are paying off. The students and trainees who work with us contribute significantly to Valmet’s working environment by energizing their colleagues and affording us a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of a new generation. The dialogue that takes place within the organization is very meaningful for our summer trainees and our professionals,” says Julia Macharey, SVP, Human Resources and Operational Development, Valmet.

Information about the Universum Talent Research

Every year, university students vote for their ideal employers in Finland's largest career-related study – the Universum Talent Research. This year, over 13,000 students from different areas of study in Finland provided insight on company characteristics they find most attractive in a potential employer as well as who they perceive to be their ideal employer. Valmet was included in the ranking in the fields of Engineering, Business, Natural Sciences and, for the first time ever, Information Technology.

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries.

We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Our 17,000 professionals work close to our customers and are committed to improving our customers’ performance – every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. The combined company’s net sales in 2021 was approximately EUR 4.5 billion based on the respective company figures.

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.    

Follow us on valmet.com

OnQuality.Scanners and OnQuality.Sensors are successfully used in over 750 installations worldwide to continuously improve production and quality processes. Thanks to their compact design, the scanners can be installed extremely flexibly in existing and new plants. Based on the leading solutions, Voith now presents OnQuality 4.0, the next level for digitalization of the paper mill. The new system consists of all the important elements required for perfect quality measurement and control: a secure cloud solution with many analysis tools and functions, virtual sensors for online and real-time measurement, as well as location- and time-independent technology consulting. The OnQuality 4.0 system can be upgraded modularly for all Voith OnQuality systems already installed and is ready for use within a very short time.

• OnQuality 4.0 increases data transparency, enhances quality measurements, optimizes control strategies and thus leads to significant cost savings
• Analyses, dashboards and reports can be created with a few clicks and accessed on smartphones and tablets
• Latest generation of virtual sensors complement the classic physical sensor portfolio and provide new possibilities in online quality measurement

"With OnQuality 4.0, we are introducing the most advanced quality measurement and quality control system currently available for manufacturers of all paper grades," confirms Marc Stampfer, Global Product Manager QCS Scanners & Sensors at Voith Paper. "Time-consuming collection, search and conclusion of quality data and control strategies are a thing of the past. With our intuitive cloud solution, virtual sensors as well as remote technology consulting, the foundation for the digitalization of your paper mill is laid."

Perfect interaction between cloud solution, sensors and technology consulting
OnQuality 4.0 uses virtual sensors to overcome the limitations of classic physical online sensor technology. Using artificial intelligence, the virtual sensors continuously, reliably and in real time predict quality parameters such as tensile strength, stiffness and softness that can otherwise only be measured in the laboratory. The cloud platform collects and stores all relevant production and quality data and enables users to perform in-depth analyses through personalized dashboards. With just a few clicks, profile charts, color maps, maintenance cockpits, trends and reports can be intuitively created and viewed on mobile devices. OnQuality 4.0 thus quickly and directly shows deviations from the critical target quality and enables significant savings in resources, scrap and costs.

The OnPerformance.Lab (OPL) remote service center completes OnQuality 4.0, with OPL experts providing round-the-clock support for real-time emergencies. With the help of the in-depth know-how in the field of paper and control technology, tailor-made optimization measures are carried out together with the customer, such as for MD and CD controls and grade change processes. Consequently, the efficiency of the machine increases while costs decrease.

Further optimizations are planned for the future. Voith is currently working on visionary OnQuality.Scanner concepts, which are being developed as part of the Papermaking Vision design study. "With intuitive and state-of-the-art operating and visualization interfaces directly on the scanners; an intelligent light and alarm system; and an attractive, maintenance-friendly design, we will once again make everyday work much easier for operating and maintenance personnel," sums up Marc Stampfer.

Find more information here: Voith Quality Control System (QCS) OnQuality | Voith.

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 20,000 employees, sales of € 4.3 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market and offers paper manufacturers holistic solutions from a single source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.

Customers worldwide order products and services in real-time in the Voith Paper Webshop. In addition, to spare and wear parts, fabrics can also be purchased via the application with just one click for over a year now. Chandpur Enterprises Ltd. has been benefiting from the expansion of the product portfolio in the Voith Paper Webshop since March. "With the help of the personalized menu and the order history, we can now quickly identify our fabrics, order them and track the delivery status around the clock," says Mr Devesh K. Singhal, Technical Director of Chandpur Enterprises Ltd. "We are very satisfied with the Voith Paper Webshop and the cooperation with the Voith experts, who have been flexible to our requirements."

• Worldwide, the Voith Paper Webshop is already used by 180 customers
• Chandpur Enterprises Ltd. and other India customers have now also opted for the Voith Paper Webshop
• A fast, simple and personalized ordering process was the main reason for the decision.

In addition to Chandpur Enterprises, other Indian customers have already integrated the Voith Paper Webshop into their ordering process. In total, more than 180 customers already rely on digital applications. In the personalized "My Shop" section, the paper manufacturers can find all the necessary information from the original and current condition of the equipment as well as the order and quotation history, drawings, manuals and contracts.

F.l.t.r.: Praveen Batra (Head of Sales & Services FRS, Voith India), Devesh K. Singhal (Technical Director, Chandpur Enterprises Ltd.), Gaurav Singh (Senior Executive, Sales & Services FRS, Voith India) and Harsh Bakshi (Deputy Manager, Sales & Services FRS, Voith India).

Mr Devesh K. Singhal confirms the advantages: "Initially, we were not sure whether we should convert our previous ordering processes to the webshop and digitize them. However, we then decided in favour of the Voith Paper Webshop, because we were completely convinced by the functionality as well as the very clear user guidance. In addition, the onboarding process and subsequent registration of the individual users went smoothly. We are glad to have taken this step."

The Voith Paper Webshop is characterized by the highest data security standards. Different options can be booked depending on customer requirements. "Our goal is to enable our customers to optimize production with minimized downtimes," sums up Mr Gaurav Singh, Senior Executive Sales & Service India at Voith Paper. "One building block for this is the quick and easy ordering of fabrics. We offer customer-specific solution packages, which we are continuously developing further on a region-specific basis. The integration of the Webshop can be done smoothly for any customer worldwide."

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 20,000 employees, sales of € 4.3 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market and offers paper manufacturers holistic solutions from a single source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.

Walki is answering to the growing demand for frozen food by expanding its portfolio of recyclable materials.

The global market for frozen food is expected to grow to 322 billion euros by 2026. Although the demand is growing globally across all age groups, it is especially popular among younger consumers.

• Walki®EVO Seal and Walki®Opti Seal are recyclable paper-based packaging intended especially for pillow-pouches for frozen food.
• Lamibel®MDO-PE is a film-based material for pillow pouches made of reverse printed MDO-film and solvent-free laminated with low sealing LDPE.
• Walki®Pack Tray is a board-based tray suitable for frozen ready-made meals, designed to replace aluminium, plastic or plastic-coated trays.

The global market for frozen food is expected to grow to 322 billion euros by 2026. Although the demand is growing globally across all age groups, it is especially popular among younger consumers.

"Frozen food is an ideal way to prolong shelf life without losing out on the vitamins. It is also an excellent way to combat food waste. This is important as up to 9 % of global carbon emissions can be attributed to food waste, especially fruit and vegetables", says Dudley Jones, Consumer Sales at Walki.

Walki is introducing a broad portfolio of different materials, including printed solutions, to suit the needs of the frozen food market with the aim of making the packaging fully recyclable in the paper stream.

"Frozen food places high demands on the packaging. It needs to be both sturdy and puncture-resistant to handle diverse situations like pressures of sealing and mechanical tear during transportation. The packaging also needs to withstand variability in temperatures as some frozen food is defrosted in its packaging", explains Jones.

Walki®EVO Seal and Walki®Opti Seal are recyclable paper-based packaging intended especially for pillow pouches for frozen food. Walki®EVO Seal has a dispersion coating as a barrier against water vapour and grease while Walki®Opti Seal has an optimised PE-extrusion coating.

"The dispersion coating makes Walki®EVO Seal recyclable in the waste-paper stream without any separation process, while the minimised PE-coating on Walki®Opti Seal makes it suitable to be recycled with paper with an acceptable fibre yield", says Andreas Rothschink, Head of Product Development at Walki.

Both are suitable for all kinds of frozen food: vegetables, seafood, and bakery products to name a few.

Lamibel®MDO-PE is a film-based material for pillow pouches made of reverse printed MDO-film and solvent-free laminated with low sealing LDPE. Thanks to the MDO technology, the film thickness is minimized while performance is maximized by replacing other sorts of materials such as PP- or PET-films.

"This combination of two PE-films makes the packaging fully recyclable in the plastics stream. The stretched film has better optics with high stiffness and mechanical properties than standard PE. The film can also be transparent, allowing the consumer to see the product", says Rothschink.

Lamibel®MDO-PE is an ideal material for all types of packaging (doypack, flowpack, pouches, etc.) as well as all kinds of frozen food like vegetables, sharp-edges seafood and bakery.

Walki®Pack Tray is a board-based tray suitable for frozen ready-made meals, designed to replace aluminium, plastic or plastic-coated trays.

"The tray is easy to fill, transport and store, and is also the convenient choice for the consumer as the fibre-based tray is safe to use in microwaves and in conventional ovens up to 220 degrees for up to 60 minutes," says Jones.

The tray material is 100% PET free and recyclable in the paper stream.

Company Profile Walki

At Walki, we believe in a sustainable and circular tomorrow. Our mission is to accelerate the world’s transition into a zero-waste future in packaging and promote the use of energy-efficient materials across industries. Walki’s product solutions are designed to bring value to customers in many different markets; from sustainable materials for packaging applications to energy-saving performance materials.

Walki is a growing international group organized in three business areas: Consumer Packaging, Industrial Packaging and Engineered Materials, with operations in twelve different countries, both in Europe and Asia.

At iT’s Tissue 2022, Körber Business Area Tissue unveils a further evolution: Warm-up Contactless Double.

The traditional systems for heating embossing rolls using piping with hot oil or pressurized water, or with heating elements, use up large amounts of energy, have high heat dissipation and are underperforming.

Andrea Gambini, Global Research & Development Director of Körber Business Area Tissue"The heating systems used so far in production," comments Eng. Andrea Gambini, Global Research & Development Director of Körber Business Area Tissue, "are now too underperforming: heating the embossing roll by means of a hot liquid flowing inside it requires a high use of energy, as does trying to heat it with a heating system with resistors.  Oil systems require dedicated facilities to heat and recirculate large masses of oil, greatly impacting the environment and creating unsustainable conditions. In addition, these factors contribute to lower overall equipment efficiency (OEE)."

The tissue market is constantly evolving," says Eng. Gambini, "and with it comes the need to offer more effective, efficient, sustainable and user-friendly solutions. Safety, simplicity, flexibility and efficiency: are the cornerstones on which the Warm-up Contactless Double system is likewise based. It will be presented at iT's Tissue 2022 on the in-phase DESL (Double Embosser Synchronizer Lamination) product and it will be possible to have a tangible example of how it works and how easy it is to integrate into the new 456AX embosser to achieve maximum production efficiency. And now that induction heating is finally doubled, all the benefits are also doubled.

"Our patented Warm-up Contactless system," says Eng. Gambini, "heats the embossing rolls from the outside without any physical contact with the rolls themselves and reduces heating times by 1/3, resulting in energy savings of more than 60%. This system can be used with any existing engraved rolls and is designed not to interfere with the operator's work." These features combine to show how state-of-the-art is the Warm-up Contactless system and demonstrate how Körber Business Area Tissue cares about sustainability.

"Building on our experience in the tissue industry, with the desire to innovate by offering our customers more innovative technological solutions, our R&D centre has further advanced Warm-up Contactless by expanding our product portfolio with the double embossing system, which retains all the advantages of the solution already on the market, and allows it to be used in the production of kitchen towels as well," concludes Eng. Gambini.

Körber Business Area Tissue

At Körber, our ultimate goal is to empower our customers’ ongoing success. We are the only truly integrated and global provider of advanced solutions for the tissue business. We offer the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of tissue technology to support customers across the entire value chain — from roll to fold, from converting to packaging. Our advanced, automated, and easy-to-use integrated solutions are a fundamental asset to shape the success in tissue, take our customer's operations to the next level, and strengthen their overall financial performance while optimizing their total cost of ownership.

About Körber

We are Körber – an international technology group with about 10,000 employees, more than 100 locations worldwide and a common goal: We turn entrepreneurial thinking into customer success and shape technological change. In the Business Areas of Digital, Pharma, Supply Chain, Tissue and Tobacco, we offer products, solutions and services that inspire. We act fast to customer needs, we execute ideas seamlessly, and with our innovations, we create added value for our customers. In doing so, we are increasingly building on ecosystems that solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. Körber AG is the holding company of the Körber Group.

Responding to our customers’ needs, we have developed additional features for the AHSTAR A pump series, and new options are also now available for demanding industries.

In the new ASTM A395 60-40-18 construction, the volute case and case cover of the pump are made of ductile iron. AHLSTAR A pumps in ductile iron have a maximum working pressure of 16 bars, with a temperature limit of 180°C.

Furthermore, a heating jacket option is available. The concept consists of a heating jacket and a jacketed case cover. The heating jacket is easy to install and maintain, providing evenly distributed heating across the entire pump. The solution is cost-effective because a standard AHLSTAR A pump can be used, and the same spare parts as for other AHLSTAR A pumps in the mill will fit. Proper temperature of the pumped liquid prevents undesired sedimentation, crystal growth, or solidification of the fluid handled.

Moreover, a case cover with internal recirculation has been developed for AHLSTAR pumps. In this design, an internal recirculation flushing fluid channel is integrated inside the case cover, enabling seal flushing without external piping.

Along with the new features, our AHLSTAR pumps have been assigned the Food Contact Materials Certificate (EC) 1935/2004. Food contact materials (FCMs) are widely used in food transfer equipment, packaging, etc. AHLSTAR pumps compliant with this regulation are the ideal solution for various food and beverage applications, from raw material production to processing and packaging.

Read more about the AHLSTAR A peak performance process pumps and their new features in our brochure. Learn more about the smart, cost-competitive and safe heating jacket in our flyer.

About Sulzer

Sulzer is a global leader in fluid engineering. We specialize in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation and purification technologies for fluids of all types. Our customers benefit from our commitment to innovation, performance and quality and from our responsive network of 180 world-class production facilities and service centres across the globe. Sulzer has been headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834. In 2021, our 13’800 employees delivered revenues of CHF 3.2 billion. Our shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SUN). The Flow Equipment division specializes in pumping solutions specifically engineered for the processes of our customers. We provide pumps, agitators, compressors, grinders and screens developed through intensive research and development in fluid dynamics and advanced materials. We are a market leader in pumping solutions for water, oil and gas, power, chemicals and most industrial segments.

www.sulzer.com

Valmet launches Valmet Mobile Maintenance (VMM) to make maintenance data available at any time and to create smoother workflows in mill maintenance operations. VMM is a mobile application for both iOS and Android devices.

The application is designed to streamline the maintenance personnel’s and production operators’ work. They can save time and improve work efficiency by creating fault notifications and reviewing work orders on the go.

“We noticed that maintenance personnel and production operators spent a lot of time in front of the computer with complicated systems, making fault notifications from their own notes on paper. Their time was not efficiently spent,” says Timo Harjunpää, Director, Maintenance Development and Outsourcing Services, Valmet.

“The application allows the personnel to work through their mobile phones in real-time anywhere at the mill. It makes all information available to the whole team at once, saves unnecessary work, and gives the management a better overview and control,” says Hemmo Lahtinen, Reliability Manager, Services, Valmet.

Quick, easy, and safe to implement

Equipment identification is easily done via Near Field Communication (NFC) or QR codes. The VMM application uses the same Valmet Cloud platform as all Valmet Industrial Internet applications and has an integration package for SAP, which makes it easy to implement. The application implementation can be done 100% remotely.

The VMM application can be used on both Wi-Fi and mobile data networks. Only relevant data is transferred. The technical solution meets industrial cybersecurity standards, follows all best practices and guidelines and is audited by an external accredited cybersecurity service provider.

The application is part of Valmet’s maintenance development and outsourcing services allowing customers to focus on their core business.

More information: Mobile Maintenance application

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. 

We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Our 17,000 professionals work close to our customers and are committed to improving our customers’ performance – every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. The combined company’s net sales in 2021 were approximately EUR 4.5 billion based on the respective company figures. 

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.     

Follow us on valmet.com

Sun Paper, in close collaboration with ABB, has successfully launched another pulp mill, at the new Beihai location in Guangxi, China. ABB has installed three sets of its flagship distributed control system (DCS) ABB Ability^™ System 800xA®, two sets of mechanical pulp drive systems, four refiner motors and auxiliary high-voltage cabinets, and over 30 high and low-voltage motors.

• Implementation of ABB Ability^™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS) at Sun Paper’s new pulp mill to drive operational accessibility
• Combined pulp production lines at the new Beihai mill represent the largest pulp production capacity among comparable lines in the global market
• The latest contract marks ABB’s 15th DCS implementation over a 20-year relationship with Sun Paper

The Beihai mill currently produces 600,000 tons of bleached mechanical pulp (APMP line and BCTMP line) and 800,000 tons of bleached pulp (BKP). The combined daily production capacity across the three lines reaches up to 4,200 air-dried tons and currently represents the largest pulp production capacity among comparable lines in the global market.

In addition to DCS implementation, the mill will integrate ABB’s Relion® 615 protection and control series of relays with the 800xA for both the APMP and BCTMP mechanical pulp production lines, together with Load Commuted Inverter (LCI) drives solution. This will enable soft starting for multi-motor connections, significantly reducing the start and stopping impact of the refiner motors on the power grid to ensure production safety and stability.

ABB was able to meet Sun Paper’s objective to strengthen the interconnection between the DCS and laboratory data and gain access to the status monitoring of the refiner motor system. This achieved system-wide centralized information management, helping managers understand on-site conditions in real-time to support their pulp production decisions. They can also manage remote operations and configurations using mobile devices such as tablets and phones, which improves the collaboration and convenience of the system. This advanced setup of the DCS safeguards production stability and lays a solid foundation for future expansion and other digital solutions.

“We have chosen ABB’s solutions over others for years because we greatly value their outstanding product quality and engineering services,” said Mr Ying Guangdong, deputy general manager and chief engineer of Shandong Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co. Ltd. “As for the pulp project at the Beihai Mill, the ABB team has consistently demonstrated their excellent project execution and collaborative strengths, ensuring the smooth start-up of our new production line.”

“ABB has been working closely with Sun Paper for over two decades now and this latest strategic cooperation at their new Beihai mill further strengthens our collaboration,” said Mr YueMing Liu, ABB Pulp and Paper Industry lead, North Asia and China. “Our advanced automation, electrification and digital solutions are supporting Sun Paper in their digital transformation and sustainable development journey.”

During their 20+ year collaboration, ABB has provided 15 DCSs to Sun Paper, safeguarding unparalleled system connectivity, as well as a collaborative, real-time decision-making environment for its paper production lines and pulp mills. This latest project follows the recent completion of four pulp production line projects at Sun Paper’s Shandong production base.

 The operations at Metsä Group’s and Valmet’s 3D fibre product demo plant in Äänekoski has begun. At the end of 2020, Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring and Valmet announced they would be investing a total of approximately 20 million euros in the demo plant.

The demo plant is part of Metsä Group’s integrated mill site in Äänekoski, and it produces finished 3D fibre packaging products directly from wet pulp without intermediate phases. The moulded fibre-based packaging can replace plastic for example in food packaging. The demo plant currently employs approximately ten people.

“Our fibre-based packaging products are a significant new initiative in the global packaging market. The novelty in our products include their layered structure, which, in turn, allows their production in a raw material and energy efficient manner applying a highly automated production process. The layered structure also allows the products to be easily modified for different purposes. The customers’ reception of the new product has been very positive. We know we’re on the right path,” says Metsä Group’s project lead, VP, Jarkko Tuominen.

3D fibre product

“We are very satisfied with our cooperation with Metsä, and we think the mould casting technology is an excellent prospect as a future packaging solution. This is a good example of Valmet’s capacity for developing new technology, and I’m especially proud of how we’ve been able to make use of our broad process expertise in this project,” says Petri Rasinmäki, VP, Board and Paper Mills Business Unit at Valmet.

The demo plant has started a testing and development phase that will last a few years. The goal of this phase is to prove the competitiveness of the production and of the product in the packaging market. If this goal is achieved, it will be possible to consider building a larger production unit.

The 3D fibre product is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, and its raw material comes from sustainably managed forests, which are primarily owned by Finnish families. Metsä Group is actively developing new business opportunities and researching new wood-based products that can increase the value of its owner-members’ forests. Moreover, the Äänekoski site is also the home of another demo plant, namely a facility developing a process for the production of the Kuura textile fibre.

Pictures of 3D fibre products and demo plant

Metsä Spring
www.metsaspring.com

Innovation company Metsä Spring invests expertise and financial resources into initiatives with the ambition to reshape the forest-based bioeconomy, aiming to increase the value for Metsä Group’s stakeholders in the long-term.

Metsä Group
www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group is leading the way in advancing the bioeconomy. We invest in growth, bioproduct development and a fossil free future. The raw material for our products is renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. We focus on the growth sectors of the forest industry: wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards, as well as tissue and greaseproof papers.

Metsä Group’s annual sales amount to approximately EUR 6 billion, and we have around 9,500 employees in 30 countries. Our international Group has its roots in the Finnish forests: our parent company is Metsäliitto Cooperative which is owned by nearly 100,000 forest owners.