ABB wins US$35 million order at Australian pulp and paper mill

Citation

(2000), "ABB wins US$35 million order at Australian pulp and paper mill", Assembly Automation, Vol. 20 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2000.03320bab.001

ABB wins US$35 million order at Australian pulp and paper mill

ABB wins US$35 million order at Australian pulp and paper mill

Fully integrated electrification and automation system key to one of the world's most modern pulp and paper mills

Keywords: Automation, Paper industry, ABB

ABB, the global technology company, has won an order to build a fully integrated electrical and industrial automation system for a greenfield pulp and paper mill located in Turmut, New South Wales, Australia. The contract, valued at US$35 million, was placed by Visy Paper PTY Ltd, of Melbourne, Australia. The mill, which will have a production capacity of 250,000 tons a year of unbleached pulp and paper, is scheduled to begin operations in the first half of 2001.

Under the terms of the contract, ABB will supply a complete process automation system, consisting of electrical motors and drives, sensors and instruments to measure variables such as paper thickness, and a process automation and control system that allows the customer to monitor all aspects of the pulp and paper process on a computer screen in real time. ABB will also deliver the complete electrical installation for the plant, and is responsible for installation, commissioning and project management for the entire delivery. In addition, ABB will supply a power generation system, including an industrial steam turbine from its ABB Alstom Power joint venture.

The order is the largest ever for ABB's SmartPlant™ system, which monitors the mill's performance and automatically recommends changes to improve performance. The system can also implement the performance improvements automatically.

By allowing the customer to easily monitor and control the entire industrial process, ABB's automation system improves product quality, plant efficiency and safety. The system will also allow Visy to monitor air and water emissions in order to meet strict environmental regulations. In addition, ABB's "open" automation software platform means Visy can link the new mill with software systems in other parts of the company - including systems from other suppliers - as well as with customers and suppliers, to achieve a fully integrated business system.

In light of Visy's Australian content policy, Australian manufacturers and sub-contractors will be given the opportunity to participate wherever commercially possible.

For further information, please contact: Karen Wilds, Communications Manager, ABB-UK, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7753 2000.