Sustainable packaging company DS Smith has ordered a supply of advanced consistency measurements from Valmet for its paper facility in Lucca, Italy.  

The delivery includes seven Valmet Microwave Consistency Measurements (Valmet MCA), six Valmet Blade Consistency Measurements, and six Valmet Optical Consistency Measurements (Valmet OCR and OC2R).  

These advanced instruments will measure total consistency and ash content.  

Valmet MCA and OCR are designed to measure total consistency in the process, allowing for better control and leading to more efficient production, fewer process upsets, and economic savings.  

The OC2R offers advanced process optimisations by measuring total ash consistency, aiding the mill in achieving its high-performance goals. 

This order is part of a larger integration of Valmet’s automation system solutions for the new containerboard-making line. 

The new containerboard machine, with a wire width of 8,600mm, is set to produce recycled liner grades.  

It will operate at a production speed of 1,500 metres a minute, with a mechanical design speed of 1,700 metres a minute, and is expected to have an annual capacity of approximately 450,000 tons. 

Included in Valmet's fourth-quarter (Q4) 2023 orders, the measurements are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2024.  

Valmet Automations Systems country manager Luigi Caggiano said: “We have agreed with DS Smith to develop a wide range of collaborations with Valmet’s measurements solutions, and this project is one part of the collaboration. This is also one of the largest projects for Valmet’s measurements in Italy in the last ten years.” 

Located in the Tuscany region in Italy, DS Smith Paper Italia provides sustainable packaging solutions, paper products, and recycling services worldwide.  

In November last year, DS Smith invested €90m ($98.25m) to support the sustainable transformation of energy supply at its Rouen paper mill in Normandy, France.