The BillerudKorsnäs production facility in Pietarsaari, western Finland, produces world-leading kraft and sack paper intended for users with very high demands on strength, durability, flexibility, food grade purity and printability. Pietarsaari also produces advanced and high-performance paper grades for a variety of technical applications, such as abrasive papers, reel & ream wrapping. With a total of over 150 production grades, extensive knowledge of raw material fiber properties is essential to help meet the high quality that customers have come to expect and rely on for subsequent converting operations. To this end, the mill decided in 2018 to purchase the soon to be introduced Valmet Fiber Furnish Analyzer (Valmet MAP Q).
We can have up to 15 grade changes per day and presently adjust conditions according to grade specifications. Now with the analyzer we have the capability to enhance control according to incoming pulp properties as well as matching grade specifications to the incoming pulp. We can now produce certain grades according to incoming pulp properties and optimize refining, which translates to energy savings and reduced broke while producing the same high quality.
Matti Myllylä, Production Superintendent in Pietarsaari
Summary
Location
Pietarsaari, Finland
Customer challenge
With a total of over 150 production grades, extensive knowledge of raw material fiber properties is essential to help meet the high quality that customers expect and rely on for subsequent converting operations.
Monitoring incoming pulp quality and subsequent fiber development provides the opportunity for better control of stock preparation
Much earlier evidence of fiber spins (where fibers mechanically entangle themselves very tightly) and possibility to adjust process conditions to minimize them
Capability to enhance control according to incoming pulp properties as well as matching grade specifications to the incoming pulp
Refining optimization translates to energy savings and reduced broke while producing the same high quality
