Metso has won an order from Smurfit Kappa for the supply of a Metso DNA control system and a pulp cooking process optimization solution to its Cellulose du Pin mill in Biganos, France. First part of the project is scheduled to be completed in September 2013 with the installation of Metso Kappa Q analyzer, and second part in March 2014. The amount of the order will not be disclosed.
Smurfit Kappa Cellulose du Pin, which is an integrated plant producing Brown Kraftliner, White Top Kraftliner and White Top Testliner, made the decision to replace the aging control system and Kappa analyzer of its cooking line. The mill was also facing the challenges of increasing the stability of its pulping process and its Kappa index, to better meet the mill's paper production objectives.
Metso's unique product range offering automation and process optimization solutions was a key factor in the mill's decision to invest in a Metso solution.
The Metso Continuous Cooking optimization service aims at producing the maximum amount of optimum quality pulp, stabilizing cooking conditions, eliminating disturbances and providing operators with tools to execute production rate and pulp grade changes automatically. The service consists of two parts: the implementation of advanced process controls coupled with Metso process experts optimizing the cooking process. Metso's process optimization service was chosen because of Metso's industry leading pulp process expertise coupled with a history of delivering targeted savings in similar cases globally.
The implementation of the Metso Kappa Q analyzer helps provide better control inputs to process control and coupled with the Metso Continuous Cooking optimization service allows for improved process performance. The Metso Kappa analyzer was chosen as it provides the standard platform for process optimization and quality control at most of the leading pulp mills in the world.
"Smurfit Kappa Cellulose du Pin had to change the aging technology of the digester's DCS and Kappa analyzer, and the Metso DNA system was chosen for its integrated solution including the optimization of the cooking process," says Philippe PLANTEY Technical Project Manager for this strategic renewal.
"Maintenance personnel has already a deep knowledge of the Metso DNA platform. Configuration and programming are mastered by the factory automation's team. The equipment reliability and the centralized archiving of the continuous cooking line datas together with the on-site availability of spare parts and the local assistance from Metso facilitated our choice."
Smurfit Kappa Cellulose du Pin is part of the Smurfit Kappa group, one of the leading producers of paper-based packaging. Smurfit Kappa is an integrated producer operating in 32 countries with around 41 000 employees and producing 5.2 million tones/year of corrugated packaging and 5.3 million tones/year of containerboard. In addition to corrugated and containerboard, Smurfit Kappa has leading positions in several other market segments including solid board and solid board packaging and graphic board.
