The world's largest paper and board producer turns to ABB when it wants to cut costs, increase efficiency and ramp up production. "ABB technology is on the cutting edge, and our close relationship allows us to plan our future projects together for the benefit of consumers," says director Markku Nopanen from Stora Enso.
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Nopanen, senior vice president of corporate strategy, investments and business planning in Stora Enso, says innovative technology is what keeps ABB one of the most preferred suppliers. His company produces the paper for magazines like The Economist, Time and Elle, and paperboard for boxes frequently used as Christmas packages.
"Take ABB's direct drives technology. There is no gearbox, so it takes up less space and civil works, reduces noise and improves efficiency," Nopanen says in an interview at Stora Enso's Helsinki headquarters. "This saves us money in many ways."
ABB has been delivering drives systems for paper machines for 100 years. Direct drives lower plant engineering because they have fewer mechanical components, reduce vibration, and lower energy losses. They regulate the speed of paper machines according to demand rather than running at full speed at all times.
The new direct drives take up one-sixth the space of traditional drives because they are based on permanent magnet motors, frequency converters and software. They have no gears, which means they need less cooling and less energy. "This is a benefit when we are planning expansions or trying to meet more stringent environmental regulations," says Nopanen.
15 million tons of paper per year
Stora Enso had sales of around US$ 15 billion in 2002 and employs around 42,500 people in more than 40 countries: It supplies 15 million tons of paper and paperboard products per year. ABB currently receives around US$ 40 million a year in orders from Stora Enso.
"It is a relationship built on trust and technology," says Nopanen.
Bigger and faster paper machines like those at Stora Enso have higher requirements for power, control accuracy, system availability and functionality. ABB drives also lower life cycle costs.