Valmet Signs Industrial Internet Services Agreement with Arauco for New Pulp Line in Chile

Valmet will supply Arauco with its Industrial Internet Solutions (VII Solutions) comprised of Mill Wide Optimization applications, advanced prediction and monitoring applications as well as expert services.

May 5, 2021 - Valmet and Arauco have signed an agreement to jointly develop the Arauco Mill Line 3 in Chile to become the world's most autonomous pulp mill. Valmet will supply its Industrial Internet Solutions (VII Solutions) comprised of Mill Wide Optimization applications, advanced prediction and monitoring applications as well as expert services.

Onsite and remote support will be provided through Valmet Performance Centers in South America and the Nordics, and a Valmet expert will be at the mill on a daily basis. In addition, Valmet specialists will visit the mill several times a year to evaluate the performance.

Arauco's US$2.350 billion project MAPA (Spanish acronym for Modernization and Extension of Arauco Mill project) at Arauco Mill in southern Chile includes the termination of pulp line 1, the modernization of current production line 2 and the construction of a new production line (Line 3), with an annual capacity of 1,560,000 tons of eucalyptus pulp, increasing annual pulp production at the complex by an estimated 2,100,000 tons.

"Since we started the MAPA project in 2011, we have wanted that the project represents a real contribution to the territory and is also in line with the environmental standards required today," explained Charles Kimber, Senior Vice President, People and Sustainability at Arauco. "From the beginning, this project comprised a broad investment program in technology, energy efficiency and big data, among others, which will make the processes much more efficient. Our partnership with Valmet represents another step in the sustainable development of the project.

Félix Hernaiz, General Manager, Andes Region, Valmet, said, "With this partnership it will be possible to maximize the production of the mill and move towards an autonomous mill. Our common target with ARAUCO in the first phase is to secure successful commissioning of the MAPA project, fast start-up, ramp-up curve and improve the overall efficiency and profitability of the mill for the years to come."

The contract includes several Valmet Mill Wide Optimization applications which provide a completely new way to improve mill profitability. The Mill Wide Optimization applications use process flowsheet optimization to automate mill level decisions and coordinate process area actions by generating production and quality plans for each mill area to help increase production and reduce costs.

Additionally, Valmet will deliver optimization, advanced monitoring and prediction applications for selected process areas focusing on the pulp dryer and power and recovery boilers. Optimizations are based on Valmet's kappa, brightness and alkali analyzer measurements.

A comprehensive Data Discovery service will be implemented during the five-year contract period.

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. The company's technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. To learn more, visit: www.valmet.com.

SOURCE: Valmet and Arauco