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Smurfit Kappa chooses Metso's automation and optimization solution #pauto #paper #optimization #automation

June 13, 2013

Making paper profitably is a game of pennies. Picking up all the pennies as you drop them and making sure you can squeeze out all the pennies that might be hiding in that roll of paper are essential. So it makes sense that something as energy intensive as cooking pulp should be optimized in real time. Metso has announced that Smurfit Kappa is using their optimization service. Here's the release:

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Smurfit Kappa Cellulose du Pin chooses Metso's automation and optimization solution to boost cooking line productivity

Metso DNA control system, analyzer and pulp cooking process optimization service to help the mill to face the challenge of running the fiber line more efficiently and preserving the fiber quality properties at the same time.

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."