Pulp and Paper Automation

End-to-end solutions for modern, connected Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Mills.

Rumford Mill is a pulp mill and paper mill located in the United States town of Rumford, Maine along the Androscoggin River.

Increase Pulp and Paper Production and Reliability

Maximize Uptime with Modern, Sustainable Pulp and Paper Mills

In an evolving industry like pulp and paper manufacturing, you must keep up with global competition, get the most value possible from your current assets and improve reliability. Smart systems and technologies make it possible to develop a truly connected mill, increasing visibility and automating key stages of the pulp and paper production process to simplify operations, maximize productivity, and improve quality.

Improvements in visibility and reliability can translate into increased efficiency and throughput while minimizing risk. Whether you would like to reduce your energy consumption and waste, modernize legacy assets or make better use of the data you generate, we can help.

Together with our global partner network, we provide the services, expertise, and world-wide support to deliver end-to-end pulp and paper mill production solutions. From the wood yard to finishing and shipping, we can help you modernize your mill to increase visibility, reliability, and productivity—all while minimizing waste and risk.

Enable real business outcomes with Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation supports Pulp and Paper manufacturing companies with end-to-end products and services that meet you where you are to deliver results that matter. From control systems to visualization tools and networking solutions, we can support you wherever you are in your journey and expand on our expertise with help from a global partner network.

Realize the power of technology in a connected Mill

Transform your operations with an end-to-end, connected mill. Maximize throughput and offset the impacts of an aging workforce by unifying every part of the mill via smart, secure, data-driven systems.

Enhance visibility and reliability with modernized assets

Modernize aging assets and automate critical processes to increase reliability and visibility across the mill. Maximize uptime with easy access to smart, data-driven insights into mill performance.

Optimize operations to stay sustainable and compliant

Understand resource utilization to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and keep up with evolving regulations. Operate in a clean, sustainable way to stay productive while acting as an environmental steward.

Build on a resilient network to minimize cybersecurity risks

Protect, detect, respond to and recover from cyberattacks to limit security risks and minimize their impact. Minimize risks and maximize compliance with dedicated 24/7 support and monitoring.

Solutions for The Entire Pulp and Paper Mill

A nighttime view of a stack of wood chips at a pulp and paper mill

Woodyard

Efficient, reliable processing in woodyards is critical to mill operations. Automated control systems help drive consistent, high-quality wood chip and hog fuel production for use in pulp processing and powerhouses.

Applications:

Streamline transportation and washing
Optimize yield of debarking and chipping
Improve chip screening and bark processing

Pulp Processing and Recovery

Producing quality pulp is a critical first step in the papermaking process. Modern control systems help maximize pulp quality and yield while minimizing process byproducts to drive sustainability.

Applications:

Optimize bale handling and pulping
Enhance bleaching, drying and finishing
Maximize recovery and resource utilization

Close-up of a silo containing stock for paper production

Stock Prep

Getting the right mixture of pulp fiber and additives is crucial to creating high-quality paper products. Modern, automated process control systems provide valuable insights to ensure stock uniformity, consistency and quality.

Applications:

Optimize approach flow system performance
Gain deeper insights into cleaning and refining
Improve bale and pulp handling

Papermaking

Paper production requires large amounts of energy and water to form, press and dry stock into paper. Coordinated drive and control systems maximize uptime and increase production.

Applications:

Maximize mill uptime and efficiency
Improve reliability of key paper-making assets
Optimize pumping energy efficiency

Corrugated cardboard coming off an assembly line

Off Machine Finishing and Converting

Large parent rolls must be converted into a variety of different sellable products. Automation and safety systems help protect workers while enabling simplified, automated change-over for different product runs.

Applications:

Improve worker safety on the facility floor
Maximize sustainability and efficiency
Enhance yield and quality with flexible packaging

Control Room

Operators require a deep understanding of cross-mill processes to make informed business decisions. Modern control systems and automation tools unlock real-time insights to support better decision making.

Applications:

Unify cross-mill and cross-platform data
Improve decision-making with data-driven insights
Optimize operations with mill-wide visibility

nighttime view of an on-site power plant at a paper mill

Powerhouse

Paper mills often generate their own power and steam for the most competitive operations. Model predictive control solutions cost effectively monitor and report emissions compliance.

Applications:

Reduce energy consumption
Simplify emissions monitoring and reporting
Maximize powerhouse reliability

A wastewater tank for treating water used in paper-making processes

Water / Wastewater

Paper mills need large volumes of water to produce paper. Intelligent motor controls help boost wastewater treatment performance to improve sustainability and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.

Applications:

Keep wastewater facilities running smoothly
Optimize energy efficiency
Improve filtration to reduce contaminants

How Have We Helped Businesses Like Yours?

Scalable Technology Options

Rockwell Automation supports Pulp and Paper companies with a comprehensive portfolio of products and services backed by support from an expert global partner network. Migrating to modern solutions like Coordinated Drive Systems help Pulp and Paper manufacturers increase uptime and productivity through better reliability and diagnostics built on an industry-standard control platform.

Learn more about Rockwell Automation technologies that can help you in the Pulp and Paper industry:

Events for Pulp and Paper manufacturers

With topics from Industry 4.0 to Cybersecurity, from Sustainability to Flexible Manufacturing, this webinar series will provide you with insights into strategies and technologies required to optimize mills in the years ahead.

How Does Automation in the Paper Industry Work?

Challenges in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing

Businesses in pulp and paper manufacturing know just how difficult it can be to keep up with competition while maintaining product consistency in a rapidly evolving market. There are countless challenges pulp and paper producers must contend with on a daily basis. These include:

Maintaining quality consistency
Integrating advanced technology into legacy systems
Managing resources and the supply chain
Adhering to stringent environmental and safety regulations

Pulp and paper automaton empowers producers to meet the daily demands of pulp and paper manufacturing by enhancing efficiency, quality, and sustainability through advanced technology and integrated systems.

What is Pulp and Paper Automation?

Pulp and paper automation refers to the use of advanced technology, such as robotics, sensors, control systems, and software, to streamline the pulp and paper manufacturing process. Pulp and paper automation enhances operational efficiency by enabling real-time monitoring and control of productions parameters, reducing manual intervention, and improving production quality.

Pulp and paper automation also empowers producers to minimize waste, conserve resources, and meet both safety and environmental regulatory requirements. It helps to maintain consistency and reliability through the optimization of various stages of production, from raw material handling to product packaging, helping manufacturers reach the end goals of cost reduction, sustainability, and competitiveness.

Benefits of Pulp and Paper Automation

Pulp and paper manufacturers who incorporate automation into their processes realize a number of benefits. These include:

Increased Efficiency: Automation streamlines production processes and reduces manual intervention, leading to faster and more efficient operations.
Consistent Quality Control: With end-to-end visibility and real-time monitoring and adjustments, producers are able to maintain consistent product quality.
Lower Costs: Through optimized resource usage, reduced waste, and overall operational efficiency, automation helps reduce costs in pulp and paper production.
Greater Reliability: With limited human intervention, automation ensures reliable production with fewer disruptions, helping maintain a consistent output.
Sustainability: By conserving energy and resources, as well as reducing emissions, automation helps pulp and paper manufacturers minimize their environmental impact.

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Processes Suitable for Automation

Automation technology can be incorporated throughout the pulp and paper manufacturing process, from resource management to packaging. Five common pulp and paper manufacturing processes suitable for automation include:

Raw material washing, debarking, chipping
Bale handling and pulping
Bleaching, drying, and finishing
Cross-mill data monitoring
Emissions monitoring and reporting

Ready to talk to a Rockwell Automation consultant?

We offer industry expertise to help design, implement and support your automation investment.

Others also viewed

Based on your activity

Pulp and Paper Automation

Increase Pulp and Paper Production and Reliability

Maximize Uptime with Modern, Sustainable Pulp and Paper Mills​

Enable real business outcomes with Rockwell Automation​

Solutions for The Entire Pulp and Paper Mill​

How Have We Helped Businesses Like Yours?

Scalable Technology Options

Events for Pulp and Paper manufacturers

How Does Automation in the Paper Industry Work?

Challenges in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing

What is Pulp and Paper Automation?

Benefits of Pulp and Paper Automation

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Processes Suitable for Automation

Maximize Uptime with Modern, Sustainable Pulp and Paper Mills

Enable real business outcomes with Rockwell Automation

Solutions for The Entire Pulp and Paper Mill