Kotkamills recently converted its printing paper machine PM 2 into BM 2 to produce high-quality barrier board and folding boxboard. The machine was started up in July 2016. Valmet supplied key technology and automation solutions, including automation, information and quality management systems, analyzers, profilers, a machine vision system as well as process and control development services for the grade conversion project.

"We had a limited service agreement with Valmet earlier. With our new BM 2, we felt we now needed more advise and support, since there is still a lot of development work to be done on the new board machine. And Valmet has strong know-how in automation and boardmaking," says Jan Lousa, Project Manager, Electrical Automation, Kotkamills. 

"With the comprehensive services, we will help Kotkamills manage the processes in their entirety, speed up startups, as well as optimize production and end product quality. These services will ensure that the mill can now get everything out of its processes. The service agreement well reflects Valmet's new service approach - the Shared Journey Forward. This offering covers reliability and performance services as well as the introduction of new technologies," points out Emilia Torttila-Miettinen, Customer Service Manager, Services, Automation, Valmet.

Information about Valmet's service agreement

According to the new service agreement, there will be an on-site Valmet service engineer at the Kotkamills mill most of the time. He will participate in mill-wide automation-related maintenance, development and coordination in cooperation with the mill and other partners named by the mill. When needed, the mill will have access to services provided by Valmet's application experts.

Additionally, the agreement includes process performance monitoring and process control upkeep, 24-hour on-call service, spare parts, annual condition check-ups of the automation, quality control as well as process and quality vision systems, analyzer maintenance, antivirus service, regular follow-up and development meetings with the mill, along with reporting through the Valmet portal. Valmet and Kotkamills also signed a development agreement that covers the advanced controls at the digester and causticizing plants.

Information about the customer Kotkamills

Kotkamills Oy makes innovative products out of a renewable natural resource, wood. Its products include high-quality specialty laminating papers Absorbex® and Imprex® as well as ecological sawn products. In 2016, the company started to produce fully recyclable consumer packaging boards in Kotka, Finland. The products are environmentally friendly, recyclable and safe to use.