Finland paper maker upgrades

Varkaus, Finland — Powerflute has employed Honeywell technology for an automation upgrade at its paper facility in Kuopio, Finland. The project included the installation of Honeywell’s Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS), Da Vinci quality control system and Devronizer steambox.

The project is part of a Powerflute programme to increase the mill’s production efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and improve quality management. The new steam box and controls are designed to increase the machine’s drying capacity significantly and production volume, minimise energy consumption and better control paper moisture, thickness and basis weight.

Powerflute also signed a multi-year Life Cycle Management agreement with Honeywell to help the mill continually update control systems, maximise asset effectiveness and improve long-term, production efficiency.

“Honeywell conducted an extensive analysis throughout our mill to identify the best methods to increase our machine’s drying capacity and reduce our energy consumption at the same time,” says Ian Halliday, Powerflute’s managing director.

“During the analysis, Honeywell also ascertained the machine’s quality control needs and produced a proposal stating the quality improvements that could be realised using the latest measurement technology,” the Powerflute boss added.