Spearhead project for increased efficiency and productivity through digitalisation in the pulp- and paper industry

Purpose and goal

Objective: create a project to take advantage of Big Data and advanced data analysis in an industry that has not yet embraced its possibilities. Goal: develop a project proposal with the industry to develop tools for process condition monitoring and decision support systems through radical digitization solutions. Fulfillment: A project proposal has been developed with the mills in Skoghall and Skutskär and Stora Enso´s Pulp Competence Center and IT. The proposal includes development of hybrid models for proactive process control, designed to meet challeges in process industry.

Expected results and effects

The expected results are increased understanding of the pulp and paper industry´s opportunities and challenges to embrace Big Data and advanced machine learning methods for improved process monitoring and control, and a basis for collaboration. Outcome: A project plan with step-vise development of advanced models for proactive process control has been made in close cooperation between Innventia, SICS and the Stora Enso´s mill in Skutskär and Skoghall, R&D and IT. Step 1 in the development has been included in a new proposal to Vinnova. Strong bonds now exist between the partners.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was conducted through a number of workshops with a view to a) inform and educate each other in the pulp and paper industry´s processes and advanced data analysis methods b) identify technical challenges in pulp and paper production today c) select, prioritize, and anchor the ideas of how these challenges can be addressed through advanced hybrid models. The workshops have been combined with ide development and feasibility analysis and identification of risks. The approach has worked well and has created a deep commitment for conducting the planned follow-up project.