Södra Cell has appointed ABB to supply and install a new, state-of-the-art Quality Control System (QCS) at its specialty mill in Mörrum, Sweden, which produces paper pulp and hardwood dissolving pulp for customers throughout Europe. Delivery is planned for October 2020.

The QCS order includes new sensors for a range of quality parameters including basis weight and moisture content plus multivariable cross direction (MCD) control. The system also benefits from the ability to interface directly with Södra Cell's existing, third-party headbox actuators. A 12-month service contract provides comprehensive technical back-up after installation.

To meet the customer's main objective of changing production rates without disturbing pulp quality, the QCS incorporates coordinated speed change control. This features an operator interface that provides information about all the supervisory and regulatory loops, including the status of the individual actuator ramps. Through its ease of use, this control encourages higher utilization than with conventional systems, leading to fewer sheet breaks, less downtime and an overall increase in average speed and production.

In addition to producing dissolving pulp - which, when used as a cotton substitute in fabric fiber production, reduces dependence on pesticides - Södra Cell's eco-friendly Mörrum mill also contributes green electricity and district heating to homes in the locality of Karlshamn, as a result of major investments in efficient energy management.