Voith takes the next step towards the autonomous paper mill and launches the dynamic ecosystem MillOne also in news Voith Paper appoints Andreas Batzer is the new Chief Financial Officer and sets itself scientifically sound climate targets.
Voith takes the next step towards the autonomous paper mill and launches the dynamic ecosystem MillOne
- Integration of all systems in the standardized MillOne user interface•
- One intelligent platform for all data•
- Automated and connected workflows for more efficient processes•
- Simplified operation and configuration
As a pioneer in the field of autonomous paper mills, Voith has already been able to position itself strongly in recent years and has set the course for a digitalized and connected future of paper production. Now, with the launch of its ecosystem MillOne, the market-leading full-line supplier is taking the next important step on the way to a completely autonomous paper mill. The new platform combines all relevant systems, optimizes processes in real time, and enables the intelligent connection of all production steps. With MillOne, Voith creates the basis for a more efficient, more sustainable, and more economical paper production – and takes another big step towards its future-oriented vision of the autonomous paper mill.
MillOne draws on Voith’s flagship study, Papermaking Vision, and their new UX/UI concept. “The know-how that we contributed is enormous and is based on years and years of development and research,” Ulf Grohmann remembers. “A major challenge was to transfer all the complex systems and data into a clear and easy-to-use platform. To achieve this goal, we talked to many customers.” Another unique feature of the MillOne ecosystem is its modular structure. Implementation can be started independently of the level of automation and the digital solutions already in place. In addition, MillOne can be commissioned immediately.
The experts at Voith Paper have already successfully implemented MillOne for the first customers. One client sums it up: “This is a real game changer. MillOne will permanently alter the way we run our production.”
Another customer says: “We’re really happy with MillOne. I’ve never seen an application that’s so integrated and consistent. The tool combines everything you need: the collection and storage of all operating data, the use of various tools, and the optimal settings.”
All applications in one place
The lack of skilled workers, higher demands on sustainability, and rising production costs: for years, the paper industry has been facing growing challenges. MillOne takes all areas into account and enables holistic, data-driven automation. This makes the solution unique on the market. All digital applications and production data are bundled in one place.
The new environment offers great advantages for operators and allows an entirely new, constructive way of working with data. All information necessary to navigate and organize production is available in real time on a dashboard and can be discussed immediately or used to initiate interventions if needed. This way, a single team of operators can control several machines. At the same time, the system keeps track of everything and draws its own conclusions intelligently. Thanks to these close links between all applications, potential sources for error can be identified early in pre-analyses and eliminated.
“MillOne is much more than just an ordinary platform – it displays the entire digital environment of a paper mill and with that the entire schedule, from start to finish of a shift,” says Ulf Grohmann, Director Product Management Automation at Voith Paper, proudly.
Data-driven operations
MillOne offers unprecedented integration and consistency in terms of data usage and utilization. All relevant operational data is aggregated collectively and evaluated. This helps avoid unplanned downtime and optimizes resource consumption. Thanks to continuous synchronization, data maintenance only needs to be carried out once, meaning that all digital applications can access up-to-date data at any time. This makes data utilization more efficient, significantly more transparent, and more user-friendly.
Higher efficiency and productivity
With the intelligent use of AI, MillOne marks a significant increase in efficiency and productivity in paper production. The options of remote access and productive data evaluation allow for unmanned shifts and relieve the workforce. In addition, MillOne opens up the possibility of data-driven processes and multimodal interaction models that introduce, for example, augmented reality (AR) – a practical tool for collaboration, knowledge transfer, and training. MillOne thus becomes a catalyst for future-oriented, automated production in which man and machine work together perfectly.
Find more information on our homepage: www.voith.com/apm
Andreas Batzer is the new Chief Financial Officer at Voith Paper
Andreas Batzer was named the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the management board at Voith Paper in March 2025. In this role, he is responsible for the company’s financial strategy and will play a key role in the further development and optimization of processes. Reporting directly to Andreas Endters, President & CEO of Voith Paper, Batzer has taken over the position from Ralf Sorg, who was previously CFO of Voith Paper and has been President Projects since July 2024.
“I am very pleased looking forward to the exciting challenge as Chief Financial Officer at Voith Paper. In a rapidly changing industry, we will not only position our company on a financially stable footing but also set the course for a successful, sustainable future,” says Andreas Batzer. “With a strong team, I will work to further optimize Voith Paper and drive innovative solutions that strengthen our position as a leading full-line supplier to the paper industry.”
Andreas Endters, President & CEO of Voith Paper, adds: “With Andreas Batzer, we have appointed an extremely experienced and internationally oriented financial expert to the Voith Paper Management Board who will enrich us with his know-how and extensive experience in many global markets and key areas. We thank Ralf Sorg for his commitment and successful work in his dual role as CFO and President Projects and are pleased that he will continue to play a key role as President Projects in the future.”
Andreas Batzer has had an impressive international career, holding various senior finance positions around the world. Prior to his current role, he served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Voith Turbo Division in the Rail & Marine segment where he was instrumental in the successful restructuring of the Mobility division. From June 2022 to December 2023, he served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Voith Turbo Mobility Division in Shanghai and Heidenheim, successfully strengthening the company’s competitiveness. Prior to that, Batzer served as Managing Director and CFO of Voith Turbo China in Shanghai from 2021 to 2023.
In 2013, Batzer joined Voith Turbo and held various positions in the finance department. After five years in Crailsheim, he moved to Beijing and took over the position of CFO of CRRC Voith Transmission Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. He made a significant contribution to the establishment of the joint venture with CRRC in Beijing.
Batzer started his career at Voith in 2005 as a consultant in corporate development and held several senior finance positions, including CFO at Voith Composites and Voith Materials. He is a graduate of Kettering University in Flint, USA, and Reutlingen University.
Voith sets for itself scientifically sound climate targets
- Reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by fiscal year 2031/32•
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) confirms science-based climate targets•
- Focus on energy savings and the expansion of self-generated renewable energy
The Voith Group has set for itself scientifically based climate targets. Accordingly, the company is committed to reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its own sites (Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions) by 50.4% by fiscal year 2031/32 compared to the baseline year 2021/22. In addition, Voith aims to reduce GHG emissions from the use of its products (Scope 3) by 30% over the same period.
In January 2024, Voith joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the world’s leading climate target-setting organization, to drive its climate protection strategy even more effectively. In February 2025, the organization officially confirmed that Voith’s submitted targets are science-based and in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. By joining the SBTi, Voith becomes one of more than 7,000 companies worldwide that have set scientifically recognized climate targets. These companies are listed on the SBTi website.
Voith has planned specific measures to reduce GHG emissions at its sites. In the medium term, the reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions will focus on measures to successively save energy and further improve energy efficiency. Voith plans to reduce energy consumption by a total of 12.5% by fiscal year 2026/27 compared to the baseline year 2021/22. The company also plans to increase the amount of self-generated renewable energy to 16 gigawatt hours per year over the same period. A current example is the photovoltaic plant currently under construction at the Heidenheim site (Germany). When it goes into operation, expected at the end of April 2025, it will generate around 1.4 megawatt hours of electricity per year, making a significant contribution to an environmentally friendly and economical energy supply.
“Our climate targets not only help us live up to our responsibility to the environment but also to save costs and drive innovation for the benefit of our customers. This strengthens the competitiveness and future viability of our company,” explains Andreas Endters, CEO Voith Group and President & CEO Voith Paper.
“The validation of our climate targets by the SBTi provides a solid basis for us to make a measurable and effective contribution to climate protection,” adds Matthias Steybe, Vice President Corporate Sustainability, Voith Group.
About the SBTi
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is a climate protection organization that supports companies and financial institutions worldwide in doing their part to combat the climate crisis. The organization develops standards, tools and guidelines that enable companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets that are in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and based on scientific evidence. SBTi’s partners are the CDP (formerly ‘the Carbon Disclosure Project’), the United Nations Global Compact, the We Mean Business Coalition, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Contact: Anja Zittlow Senior Vice President Group Communications Tel. +49 7321 37-6782 anja.zittlow@voith.com
About the Voith Group
The Voith Group 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 21,000 employees, sales of € 4.9 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.
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 one source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.
Contact: Naomi Voith – Vice President Global Communications Voith Paper
Phone +49 7321 37 2209 – naomi.voith@voith.com – www.voith.com
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