The experts from Voith's OnPerformance.Lab (OPL) and Hamburger Containerboard have achieved 35 percent faster grade changes, optimized length profile and more stable processes on PM 1 at the producer's Spremberg site.

Hamburger Containerboard, a member of the Prinzhorn Group, produces around 340,000 tons of paper each year on its PM 1. The line manufactures white uncoated and coated papers as well as gypsum board with basis weights between 120 and 180 gsm. In order to increase the efficiency of the line as well as to optimize the quality of production, the company has been working successfully with the OnPerformance.Lab experts from for just over a year.

The remote optimization began with the collection of all relevant process and machine data from PM 1, which Voith used to develop possible solutions for increasing the efficiency of the plant. The OPL experts then discussed the issues occurring on the machine with all project participants, refined the models, adjusted controller settings and suggested program changes in the customer control system. In regular feedback meetings, the teams evaluated each step and made joint decisions on how to proceed.

"Thanks to their comprehensive expertise and holistic approach, the OPL experts defined individual and reliable recommendations that stabilized our process and ultimately led to a significantly shorter grade change time. The cooperation was simple, flexible and smooth throughout the entire period. Just like with a colleague only from a distance. It was essential for us that the optimization measures did not disrupt the daily routine or processes in the plant. We were able to implement them whenever they fit into our schedule. You can simply tell that OnPerformance.Lab is staffed by experts who know how complex the papermaking process is and which solution approaches are individually suitable."
David Wötzel, Engineer Automation QCS, Hamburger Rieger GmbH in Spremberg

Based on this positive experience, Hamburger Containerboard (hamburger-containerboard.com) has decided to continue to rely on the expertise of the OnPerformance.Lab as a long-term partner. Another argument in favor of the OPL was that the measures already implemented are having a positive economic impact and higher production is now achievable.

The Prinzhorn Group

With 6,600 employees in 15 countries, the Prinzhorn Group (prinzhorn-holding.com) is one of the European market leaders in the recycling, paper and packaging industry. With annual sales of 1.40 billion euros, the Group is number three in Europe within this segment. The family-owned company is headquartered in Vienna (Austria) and is divided into three divisions: Dunapack Packaging (corrugated packaging solutions), Hamburger Containerboard (production of corrugated base paper) and Hamburger Recycling (collection and trading of secondary raw materials).

About the Voith Group

The Voith Group (voith.com) is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 20,000 employees, sales of € 4.3 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

About Voith Paper

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services, and products on the market, and offers paper manufacturers holistic solutions from a single source. The company's continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and supports customers in significantly reducing their carbon footprint. With its comprehensive automation products and leading digitization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art, digital technologies to increase the availability and efficiency of their systems in all areas of the production process.