Metsä Group takes pulp logistics to the new era through RFID technology

5/15/2012 3:00 AM EST

Metsä Group
Press release

Metsä Group takes pulp logistics to the new era through RFID technology

Metsä Group Press Release 15 May 2012


Metsä Group is creating new technology for its logistics chain in the pulp
industry by being the first to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
based on the wireless identification of products. RFID will be introduced at
all Metsä Group’s pulp mills and most loading ports during the spring. 

RFID is major advance from the manual and barcode identification of pulp lots
due to the technology's precision, durability and small size. RFID has been
used in many industries, but with Metsä Group leading the way, the existing
technology will now be utilised in the pulp delivery process. 

"RFID development is a good example of our continuous renewal with which we can
ensure success in global competition," says Ismo Nousiainen, SVP, Production,
Metsä Fibre. 

The pulp units’ RFID tags will include the product's lot number, the date of
manufacture and the manufacturer itself. Pulp with an RFID tag meets product
safety requirements and is suitable for food use. 


RFID technology improves cost effectiveness

As a result of RFID technology, the entire pulp logistics chain will become
automatic and faster with fewer errors. From now on, pulp lot information will
be known in real time at both the pulp storage location and ports. The change
will enable savings in pulp flow management for all actors in the logistics
chain. 

"RFID supplements our range of technical services. Accurate data on pulp
characteristics enabled by RFID technology provide our customers with new
opportunities to improve production effectiveness," explains Ari Harmaala, SVP,
Sales and Marketing, Metsä Fibre. 


Metsä Group openly develops the RFID system

The main goals of Metsä Group are to expand the use of RFID technology in the
pulp industry and to support other industrial actors in adopting the
technology. 

"The RFID system we have developed for pulp has been open to all actors in the
industry right from the start. The real benefits will only be achieved once the
main pulp suppliers use a common standard. We have shown the way and now the
extensive introduction of the system in the pulp industry can begin," says
Harmaala. 


METSÄ GROUP
Group Communications

For more information, please contact:
Ari Harmaala, SVP, Sales and Marketing, Metsä Fibre, tel.  +35840 575 2704
Ismo Nousiainen, SVP, Production, Metsä Fibre, tel. +358 50 598 7378


www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group is a responsible forest industry group whose products are part of
people’s everyday life and promote sustainable well-being. Metsä Group produces
high-quality products mainly from renewable Nordic wood. The Group’s business
areas are tissue and cooking papers, board and paper, pulp, wood products as
well as wood supply. Metsä Group’s sales totalled EUR 5.3 billion in 2011, and
it employs approximately 12,500 people. The Group is present in some 30
countries. 

www.metsafibre.com

Metsä Fibre is a world-leading producer of softwood pulp. Our main products –
sustainably and cost-efficiently produced softwood and birch pulp – are
specially developed for the production of high-quality fine papers, magazine
and tissue papers, and board. Our main brand is Botnia. With four pulp mills in
Finland, we employ a total of about 900 people. Our sales in 2011 were
approximately EUR 1.3 billion. Metsä Fibre is part of Metsä Group.