Multimillion project to transform 400-year-old paper plant into thoroughly modern mill
16 Oct 2018
One of Europe's longest-running paper mills, the four centuries old Sappi plant in Gratkorn, Austria is to be transformed into one of the most modern in the world at an estimated cost of €30 million.
Honeywell has been commissioned to carry out the upgrades which will see the introduction of a centralised, remote monitoring system for the mill which produces close to one million tons of multicoated paper annually.
The task involves integrating an Experion virtualized solution platform. In addition, four Experion PMD automation systems will control processes, machinery and drives. Also, four Experion MX Quality Control Systems will be installed for use with quality sensors.
Additional solutions include two ProCoat CD actuator systems that will help reduce the paper web’s cross-direction variation as it is being made, and Uniformance PHD historian and Process Studio solutions.
To enhance cybersecurity, HSSN remote access will facilitate Microsoft security patches and virus updates, and a secure nedia exchange gateway will monitor and log the use of removable media throughout the facility to reduce risk and disruption.
Karl Weiss, automation project manager for Sappi, remarked: “This will deliver quality and productivity improvements, cost savings measures and security enhancements that will future-proof operations at Gratkorn in line with Industry 4.0.”
Three years earlier, Honeywell upgraded the site’s flagship PM11 paper machine, using its Experion PMD automation system, to create advanced coated fine paper production lines.
