Start-up ahead of schedule thanks to excellent collaboration
In November 2022, Voith successfully started up the world's largest kraftliner machine for SCA, the Swedish forest industry company, at its Obbola site. While the new PM 2 was being erected in its own building, the 40-year-old PM 1 had to continue until its successor started operation. In this way, SCA was able to continue its profitable kraftliner business without interruption.
Because the existing stock preparation line is not capable of supplying the required raw material feed, the PM 2 is not yet running at full capacity. A completely new stock preparation system capable of processing 1,700 tons per day is part of the full-line concept. With the new BlueLine OCC system, which should be ready to be put into operation in mid 2023, the PM 2 will be able to run at full speed and reach the goal of 750,000 tons of kraftliner produced per year.
What goals does SCA aim to achieve with the Obbola factory expansion?
Full program
As the leading full-line supplier to the paper industry, Voith supplies the complete line, the heart of which is a highly efficient XcelLine paper machine. The state-of-the-art kraftliner machine features a design speed of 1,400 meters per minute and a wire width of 10,200 mm. The Voith XcelLine paper machine will produce 725,000 tons of high-quality kraftliner per year with basis weights between 100 and 200 gsm. Compared to the old line, the new machine increases SCA’s production capacity by 70% to meet the growing demand in the principal market of Europe.
In addition, Voith is responsible for all relevant auxiliary systems, from hall ventilation to roll transport, and together with Meri for a highly efficient water and wastewater management system. The XcelLine paper machine will be supplemented by a new BlueLine stock preparation system with IntensaPulper for energy-efficient pulping. Voith has supported the SCA team throughout the start-up with a comprehensive training program. In addition, SCA relies on a long-term service and efficiency partnership with Voith, resulting in maximum productivity of the line. The engineering for all ancillary units is also part of the order as are products from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio.
How does SCA benefit from choosing Voith as a full-line supplier?
Strong focus on sustainability
Strong focus on sustainability
Success factors
Why was the training of the SCA team so important?
Voith has supported the SCA team throughout the start-up with a comprehensive training – partially on the e-learning platform DRIVE and partially as on-site training. This was a success factor for the smooth commissioning of the PM 2.
“It was very good that we started the spare parts process so early. Everything went smoothly and efficiently. In addition, the good documentation from the technical teams helped us a lot. Now we have a perfectly matched package that also meets the highest standards in terms of safety.”
Per Asplund, Senior Project Manager at SCA
How did the project team deal with challenges?
In every project, the team faces challenges that it has to deal with. In the Obbola PM 2 project, these included the Corona pandemic and resulting travel restrictions, as well as political economic and logistical turbulence. The project team identifies the solution-oriented and professional handling of these novel challenges by all parties involved as a key factor for the success of the project.
How important was the collaboration for the project?
The positive and cooperative atmosphere facilitated the collaboration and ultimately ensured that the project team managed to meet and even exceed the set targets in terms of budget, safety and time. Both companies, SCA and Voith, intend to build a long-term partnership with continued cooperation and optimization of the PM 2 as an industry benchmark.
The scope of supply for SCA includes the biggest and most innovative package in Voith Paper history and sets a benchmark in digitalization.
The Papermaking 4.0 technologies cover products of the OnEfficiency product family, which use machine learning to increase the efficiency of the plant. Furthermore, it stabilizes and improves product and process quality. The OnCare products – with monitoring applications as well as digital services like OnCall Video and the connectivity to the Voith Paper Webshop – complement the OnCumulus IIoT platform product portfolio and provide the foundation for a digital integration of the value chain and predictive maintenance. The new paper machine thereby benefits from the full digitalization scope.
Image gallery
In our image gallery we share some impressions of the project with you. Have fun exploring!
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