Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer Billerud has signed an agreement to modernize paper machine 5 at its Gävle mill, a facility supporting production volumes equivalent to roughly 200 million containers per day across its network, according to the technology supplier ABB.
The investment aims to future-proof operations at one of the company’s key sites for producing liquid packaging board and liner. The project will upgrade the machine to ABB’s latest platforms, including an ABB Ability System 800xA, new-generation AC800M controllers, refreshed quality control capabilities, and updated drive technology. The modernization targets improved operational precision, reduced deviation from quality targets, and lower energy and raw material consumption.
Board produced at the Gävle mill is used in consumer goods and food packaging applications globally. The upgraded automation environment is designed to handle production changes with greater accuracy as product mixes shift, supporting Billerud’s output of fiber-based packaging materials.
The modernized system is planned to provide a more secure and resilient automation environment with efficient data handling and clearer operator insights. The new setup is intended to create a pathway for Billerud to introduce advanced process control and move toward AI-supported optimisation in the future.
