Valmet to supply Metsä Board’s Kemi mill with Industrial Internet solutions to enhance end-product quality and the mill’s productivity

Valmet Oyj’s trade press release on September 15, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. EET

Valmet and Metsä Board have signed an agreement on data-driven optimization of paperboard quality of the board machine at Metsä Board’s Kemi mill. The machine produces premium quality white top kraftliner. Valmet will supply the mill with Valmet Industrial Internet VII Data Discovery and VII for Paper Quality solutions.

The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the second quarter 2020. The value of the order is not disclosed.

The agreement is the first step in a jointly built digital roadmap between Metsä Board and Valmet. The target of this first step is to ensure top-quality end-product to enable smooth runnability in the paperboard converting process. A mill-wide action plan will be created by combining historical mill process data, converting data from Metsä Board’s customer and Valmet’s expertise to discover the improvement potential of the board machine BM1 production process. This is enabled by Valmet’s VII Data Discovery solution.

“Metsä Board’s products are known for high quality consistency and converting runnability, and we are committed to continuous improvement. With virtual sensors for quality management using artificial intelligence we can reach even better performance. We chose Valmet as our partner based on technical expertise and long-term trust between our companies,” says Tomi Vähä-Ruohola, Technical Development Manager, Metsä Board.

“This project is a good example of how we can use VII Data Discovery findings to build a mill-wide action plan and create the right artificial intelligence-based VII solutions for the customer’s needs. With this first step in our common digital roadmap, we are together moving towards data-based optimization of the entire value chain from pulping to converting,” says Arttu-Matti Matinlauri, Director, Analytics and Applications, Automation business line, Valmet.

Further details about Valmet’s delivery

The VII for Paper Quality solution, including Valmet’s artificial intelligence-based applications and the Valmet IQ Quality Management System are used to predict and autonomously optimize paperboard surface quality in real time.

A key part of the VII for Paper Quality solution is the world’s first predictive application for online optimization of paperboard surface quality. It helps maintain high end-product quality and optimize the usage of raw material.

Another important application in this solution is the Dynamic Centerline Advisor, which builds optimal production recipes for each operating mode, ensuring maximized overall equipment effectiveness.

Information about the customer Metsä Board

Metsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and forerunner in sustainability. Metsä Board produces premium lightweight folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners for consumer goods packaging as well as retail-ready and food service applications. In 2019, the company’s sales totalled EUR 1.9 billion, and it has approximately 2,400 employees. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

VALMET
Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:
Arttu-Matti Matinlauri, Director, Analytics and Applications, Automation business line, Valmet tel. +358 40 704 3064

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2019 were approximately EUR 3.5 billion. Our more than 13,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Processing of personal data