20 years of performance and counting: Stora Enso Skoghall’s long-term success with Valmet IQ Moisturizer

Sep 18, 2025

Long-term sustainability and production efficiency go hand in hand at Stora Enso Skoghall Mill in western Sweden. A world-class producer of consumer packaging board for liquid and dry food packaging, the mill plays a key role in meeting global demand for eco-friendly materials. With an annual capacity of 1 million tonnes of board and 700,000 tonnes of pulp, it is critical for the mill to maintain efficiency and exceptional product quality. Valmet IQ Moisturizer has supported that goal for the past two decades, consistently proving its value.

Delivering beyond expectations

Stora Enso Skoghall first selected the Valmet IQ Moisturizer for its facility back in 2005. The initial goal was to enhance board planarity and increase production speed. Results quickly surpassed what the team had anticipated.

“The solution has exceeded our expectations. The flatness of the board was improved, and we were also able to raise the speed since the need for steam was reduced. In fact, the production increase was even higher than initially expected.”

says Peter Grabner, QCS Engineer at Skoghall

Proven performance leads to repeat orders

“Since installation, the two IQ Moisturizer units have been in use with high availability and good performance,” says Grabner.

That success led to a series of repeat orders: a new quality control system (QCS) with IQ Moisturizer on BM8 in 2012, replacement of an older moisturizer beam on BM7 in 2015 and a new unit for curl control on BM8 in 2019. In each case, the decision to return to Valmet was based on proven results.

Part of the broad Valmet IQ quality control family, Valmet IQ Moisturizer stands out with its highly advanced spray technology. Its two-stage spray head creates a balanced, controlled mist of air and water, spreading moisture evenly across the web. This helps correct cross-direction (CD) moisture profiles, reduces curl and improves calendering results. The outcome? Smoother surfaces, fewer breaks and better runnability – all contributing to higher production output and more uniform product quality.

Continued support builds a lasting partnership

The long-term cooperation Stora Enso Skoghall and Valmet has developed into a genuine partnership built on trust and a shared commitment to excellence and development.

“Valmet’s Automation always delivers products and services at the highest level. We are very satisfied with the work Valmet is doing – from equipment performance to service and support.”

“Whether optimizing performance or testing new moisturizer installation positions, we continue to collaborate closely,” Grabner says. “We appreciate this cooperation. It’s a partnership we expect to continue well into the future.”

Driving quality through decades

Valmet IQ celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, and the decades-long partnership with Stora Enso Skoghallis testament to the system’s enduring value.

The mill’s long-term trust underscores the bigger picture of Valmet IQ solutions: solid reliability, adaptability to industry needs and consistent delivery of measurable results.

Customers like Stora Enso Skoghall demonstrate how continuous development, grounded in deep industry expertise and supported by Valmet, drives ongoing quality improvement and long-term customer success—day after day, year after year, decade after decade.