Södra Cell Mörrum uses Teknosavo WoodSmart for Debarking Optimization

26.2.2025

Swedish Södra Cell Mörrum mill ordered WoodSmart at the end of March 2023. The delivery included debarking optimization system for two debarking lines. One debarking line is typically used for hardwood (birch, aspen and beech) and the other is typically for softwood. WoodSmart includes five measurements for each line, and based on these measurements, the deicing conveyor speed, drum speed and drum gate position are controlled for optimized debarking results.

The equipment was delivered to the mill in June 2023 and installed right after the delivery. The capacity measurement was commissioned right after delivery because July and August were capacity reference periods using manual control.

The commissioning of the complete system was made in September and October 2023. During this time there was also training for the operators, maintenance personnel, and super-users. The training as well as documentation was in Swedish language. The take-over of the system was soon after this. After this, WoodSmart has been controlling and optimizing the debarking process basically 100% of the time. The results show increased capacity, smaller wood losses and chip bark content within the limit value specified in the contract.

The project key persons at Mörrum mill were Gert Svensson and Martin Skyvell. They have very positive comments about the project:”We have had a very good collaboration with Teknosavo during this project. They understood the needs of our specific mill and if changes appeared during the project, they were very collaborative in solving these. Teknosavo project team came well along with the Södra personal. Due to tight and reoccurring short meetings during installation and commissioning of the system we assured good progress in the project. Södra Cell Mörrum project team are satisfied with the outcome of this project so far and looking forward to continuing collaboration in the future.”

Södra Cell’s Martin Skyvell and Gert Svensson have been working with Teknosavo on debarking optimization project.

The project manager on Teknosavo’s side is Timo Alasuvanto. According to Timo, the co-operation has been going very well. The people at the mill have been very helpful and Timo has enjoyed working at the mill. Of course, the project has required flexibility from both parties because the work was performed during normal production. Only some stops were needed, mostly during the installation of the equipment. “During my stay at the mill, I felt like I was a Södra Cell employee, even though sometimes it was a bit difficult to understand the local Swedish dialect”, Timo said.

The project included a lot of work with the operators as they are the ones using WoodSmart. The operators have been satisfied with WoodSmart and do not have to manually follow the debarking process as intensively as before. They also said that because of more steady material flow, the number of stops has decreased.

The project continues with and service contract including remote work and service visits.

Teknosavo had delivered ChipSmart3D chip analyzer to Mörrum mill in 2016. The analyzer has been in operation since then. Annually it analyzes about 36 000 chip samples every year. This means an average of 4 samples every hour of the year. The results are chip size distribution (according to SCAN-CM 40:01), bark content, moisture, and brightness.

Södra Cell’s Mönsterås mill is also using WoodSmart and ChipSmart3D in their chip manufacturing process.