- ABB to integrate automation, electrification and digital solutions for new stock preparation line at UK’s largest recycled paper mill
- Project supports DS Smith’s £50 million investment aimed at boosting efficiency, reliability and sustainability
- Scope includes distributed control system, motors and drives, low voltage motor control centers, safety systems and asset performance management
ABB has been awarded a contract by DS Smith to supply electrification, automation and digital solutions for a new stock preparation line at the company’s flagship Kemsley Paper Mill in Kent, UK. The project forms a key part of DS Smith’s £50 million investment to enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact and support future growth at the site.
Under the contract, ABB will supply the ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS), low voltage motor control centers (LV MCCs), drives, motors, safety systems, and the digital software solution ABB Ability™ Asset Performance Management. The technologies will be integrated with the mill’s existing ABB-installed control architecture, delivering end-to-end visibility and control across operations. This will lead to faster decision making, improved reliability and optimized performance across the production process.
The new line, due to start up in 2026, will supply recycled fiber to the paper machine (PM3), which produces a range of packaging-grade materials from 100 percent recycled content. Once operational, the upgrade is expected to significantly reduce water usage, carbon emissions and waste generation – contributing to DS Smith’s goal of sending zero waste to landfill and cutting Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent by 2030[1].
“ABB has been alongside us on our journey of modernization and ever-increasing sustainability in recent years so we felt strongly that their proposed solution would fit with our priorities for the new line,” said Adrian Clark, Electrical and Automation Development Manager, DS Smith Kemsley. “We want a fully-integrated, mill-wide system that minimizes complexity and maximizes continuity with existing operations. Our latest step with ABB begins now and we trust in the team alignments and the results they will achieve.”
“The scope of this project and the trust placed in ABB reflect our ability to bring together electrification, automation and digitalization in one cohesive package,” said Paul Clark, Account Manager for Pulp, Paper & Fiber, ABB’s Process Industries division. “In doing this, we’re helping to futureproof one of Europe’s most important recycled paper mills.”
DS Smith’s investment at Kemsley is designed to deliver long-term sustainability and operational gains. This latest project represents another step forward in the company’s broader digital and environmental roadmap at the site.
As a trusted partner to the global pulp and paper industry, ABB continues to support leading manufacturers in their shift toward safer, smarter and more sustainable operations by combining domain expertise with integrated technologies to enable performance at every level.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. go.abb/processautomation
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