Must-win: Technology

Maintaining technology leadership with a cost-efficient, mid-market offering

Our ambition is to maintain our technology leadership with cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable products and process solutions. We are continuing to develop technology that is applicable for the growth markets and is responsive to the increasing importance of environmental sustainability.

While we aim to develop our mid-market offerings, we will continue to focus on high-end technology leadership with cost-competitive and modularized solutions. To ensure that we have the technological capability to respond to these expectations, we will allocate more research and development resources to China, India and Russia. The goal is to adapt products to meet local needs.

Case – Metso OptiConcept M – modular papermaking concept

With a significant part of our growth coming from the emerging markets, we have identified a clear need for and good growth potential with more localized products. A good example is Metso's new, modular OptiConcept M papermaking concept.

Metso's new OptiConcept M production line sets new standards for paper and board making. OptiConcept M represents a new, modular-based way to design, build and operate a paper machine. With the goal of increasing competitiveness, OptiConcept M focuses on maximum efficiency with minimal operational cost while improving safety and usability.

The modular processes and solutions make it possible for individual lines to be designed for each customer's varying needs and targets. Metso can take care of total project management, thus allowing customers to focus on their own businesses.

One of the key targets of OptiConcept M was to develop more energy-efficient processes and solutions. Efficiency in the dryer section, for instance, can be up to 20% higher compared with an average production line. Raw material efficiency was another important target: replacing expensive materials with cheaper ones, higher production output with less raw material, or saving virgin natural resources.

Another target was to reduce overall machine dimensions. The new, compact machine and process technology solutions require up to 40% less hall space.

Optimized environmental performance is at the core of the OptiConcept M design. This includes high-quality processes and innovations, smart controls and accurate dimensioning to help our customers consume less steam, gas, electricity, water, chemicals and other raw materials, and to reduce emissions.

OptiConcept M was also developed with its end users – the mill personnel – and their safety in mind. For example, the design allows for easy and safe changing of rolls and wear parts, thus reducing the duration and cost of service shutdowns.

With OptiConcept M, projects experience cost savings thanks to short lead times, quick start-ups, high productivity and low risks – all adding up to more value for the customer.