FINLAND – Stora Enso, a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials and wooden constructions, has selected ABB to supply its Oulu mill in Finland with sectional drive systems.
The mill plans to convert an idled paper machine to produce a folding box board (FBB) and coated unbleached kraft (CUK).
The new production line will be able to produce 750,000 tonnes per year of consumer board.
ABB’s scope of supply for the project includes liquid and air-cooled ACS880 Multidrives and motors for the board production line, the PMC800 Drive Control System — based on ABB’s latest automation technology — and a machine directive-compliant Safety PLC solution for the sectional drives system.
Niko Lahtinen, Paper Machine Drives Business Driver, Process Industries, ABB said: “We’re excited to be supporting the Oulu mill on such an important project, one that also aligns closely to the company’s sustainability commitments.
“Our earlier experience with Stora Enso — particularly around drive systems and drive controls — coupled with our consultative expertise is a good starting point for the project.”
Production on the new converted machine is estimated to start in 2025.
In February, Stora Enso contracted ABB to upgrade two of its mills in Sweden to ABB Ability™ Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for pulp and paper to manage and streamline end-to-end production and improve overall mill efficiency.
According to Stora, migrating to ABB’s MES would offer new functionalities and customized features that meet its specific site requirements.
Most importantly, the system would interface with the mill’s ERP, DCS, QCS, WIS, laboratory devices and more for proper integration and greater visibility over systems and processes across the entire manufacturing chain.
The delivery from ABB included its production planning, production management; quality data management, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), diary and operative reporting modules.
These were intended to allow teams at the plant to gain insights to act and optimize, increasing productivity and product quality while reducing waste.
More recently, ABB partnered with Parason to automate and up-scale production of sustainable and compostable packaging solutions in India.
The partnership has been forged to help Parason’s customers reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and Styrofoam packaging.
For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
