ABB to Future-Proof Billerud Gävle Operations

ABB has entered into a strategic modernization agreement with Billerud to transform Paper Machine 5 (PM5) at the company's Gävle mill in Sweden, one of Europe's premier facilities for liquid packaging board and liner production. The extensive upgrade encompasses the latest ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system, advanced AC 800M controllers, state-of-the-art Quality Control System (QCS), and high-performance drives across critical sections including wet end, dry end, pope reel, and winder.

This comprehensive digital transformation strengthens operational stability, cybersecurity resilience, and overall mill efficiency while significantly reducing energy consumption and raw material usage. The upgrades position PM5 for seamless integration of AI-enabled optimization and advanced analytics, ensuring long-term competitiveness in the rapidly evolving fiber-based packaging market.

The Gävle mill plays a pivotal role in Billerud's global supply chain, producing paperboard equivalent to 200 million packaging containers daily for food, beverage, and consumer goods applications. Martin Björnmalm, ABB's Local Business Line Manager, emphasized the partnership's evolution: "Building on our long-standing collaboration, these upgrades provide Billerud with resilient digital infrastructure ready for future Industry 4.0 advancements and sustainable production demands." The project underscores ABB's deep pulp and paper expertise, delivered through global technology platforms and local service excellence.​