Pulp Paper & Logistics


INDUSTRY NEWS 7


Roll out in Europe for advanced digitalisation at DS Smith mills


trial of Trimble’s powerful data mining platform, Wedge, at its paper mill in Kemsley in Kent – the country’s largest mill for recycled papers. The online system has helped


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the Kemsley mill deliver a more consistent and higher-performing production process and ultimately an improved product through its advanced data visualisation and manipulation tools. Wedge has also gone live at DS Smith’s Viana mill in Portugal and will soon be rolled out at the Witzenhausen and Aschaffenburg mills in Germany – creating a network of connected mills across Europe all using the same software. Guy Lacey, next generation


dvanced digitalisation is going ahead at DS Smith’s mills in Europe following a successful


technology director at DS Smith, said: “Digitalisation can be applied to almost all aspects of our work at DS Smith. We’re seeing it play a role in every side of our business and we’re keen to play an influential, leading role in our industry in this space. “Through the Wedge platform, our mills can quickly resolve problems as they occur with fast and focused tools. Ultimately, the benefits are seen in operational efficiencies, product quality and output and also in the employee experience. “We are now building a


network of connected mills across Europe, all using the same platform, that are able to communicate and problem solve together – we can bring expertise from right across the business, whilst reducing the burden of travel.”


Fuel conversion will cut carbon emissions at Zülpich mill


Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced at Smurfit Kappa’s Zülpich paper mill in Germany following an investment of €11.5 million that will fund a fuel conversion project. The mill currently produces about 500,000 tonnes of paper a year. The mill’s multi-fuel boiler is


being redesigned to provide a more sustainable fuel source for the generation of steam and electricity. An integrated steam re-use system, which optimises energy usage, will replace coal as an energy source, and the fossil fuel will be phased out when the redesigned boiler is operational by the middle of 2022. The boiler is expected to reduce carbon dioxide


emissions at the mill by 21 per cent.


Commenting on the


investment, Pim Wareman, chief executive of Smurfit Kappa Recycled Paper Cluster, said: “This significant investment illustrates the decisive steps that Smurfit Kappa is taking across the business to proactively reduce our carbon dioxide footprint, whilst continually improving the overall efficiency of our equipment. “With this investment, and by turning side streams from the paper manufacturing process such as rejects and biogas into steam and electricity, we are well on track to meet the EU target of 55 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.”


Cartonbox in Mexico acquired by Smurfit Kappa


Smurfit Kappa Group has completed the acquisition of Cartonbox, a folding-carton company located in Monterrey, in the north-east of Mexico. Jorge Alberto Angel, chief


Robotics are part of the digitalisation at DS Smith’s Kemsley mill in the UK


executive of Smurfit Kappa Mexico, said: “Smurfit Kappa Mexico welcomes 240 employees from Cartonbox to our family, and I could not be more pleased. Prior to the acquisition, we had three folding carton operations in Mexico, located in the Metropolitan Area


of Mexico City and in Tijuana. “This acquisition gives us the opportunity to directly supply our customers in the northern region of the country. I am certain that using our best- in-class operating systems, procurement arrangements, global mindset, and our design and innovation focus, we are well positioned to partner with new and current customers in the fmcg, food and beverage, bakery and office supplies sectors.”


July/August 2021


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