Customer case:

Automated paper acclimatization, one of the best improvements in paper analysis in recent years

Apr 19, 2023

A Northern European containerboard producer has replaced its older automatic paper analyzer with a new Valmet Paper Lab. The mill was looking to have acclimatization in paper analysis to improve both the accuracy and deviation of the measurement. Valmet Paper Lab acclimatizes the paper first and analyses it when desired acclimatization time is due without further human intervention. The mill is calling it one of the best improvements in paper analysis in recent years.

Valmet Paper Lab offers one of the best improvements in paper analysis in a long time
The new pre-conditioning stand has been a long-awaited improvement in paper analysis. Acclimatization improves both accuracy and deviation of the measurement. Traditionally we have analyzed samples that have been very fresh from paper machine, or we have had to open the sample roll and let it climatize until it's been rolled back to holder and fed to the analyzer. This has been cumbersome, and if the climatization step has been passed the results have been less accurate. Now the new Valmet Paper Lab acclimatizes the paper first and analyses it when desired acclimatization time is due without further human intervention. This can be considered to be one of the best improvements in paper analysis in a long time.
Mill’s R&D Manager, Packaging Papers

Summary

Location North Europe
Customer challenge
  • Need to replace older automatic paper analyzer to take analysis accuracy and reliability to a higher level.
Solution

Valmet Paper Lab

  • Automated board and paper quality testing that streamlines end-product quality management
  • Conditioning wall
  • Virtual module
Results
  • Easy operation together with accurate and comparable measurements give steady base for the mill’s paper quality control.
  • New data calculation possibilities (virtual module) has given the tools to reduce workload in laboratory. From key parameters of the paper, it is now possible to make model-based predictions for other paper properties. Model based approach reduces the workload and the users can concentrate to “follow-up and calibration” of models instead of meticulous, laborious analysis.
Keywords Containerboard, Europe, Automation