• ABB drives and motors chosen for DS Smith’s Lucca Paper Mill, set to become the largest of its kind in Italy
• The new production line marks a milestone for Italy’s paper industry, nearly doubling the mill’s capacity and advancing lightweight packaging solutions.
• Custom winding motors and ABB inverters to ensure high performance, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability

ABB has been awarded a contract by DS Smith Paper Italia S.r.l., part of the global packaging leader DS Smith, to provide a sectional drives system for a new containerboard machine at the Lucca Paper Mill in Porcari, Tuscany. Renowned for its recovered fiber and white liner products, the mill’s new Paper Machine 3 (PM3) is expected to deliver an annual production capacity of 450,000 metric tons once operational.

The project, one of the most ambitious in Italy’s pulp and paper industry, underscores ABB’s reputation for excellence and product reliability. ABB’s drive systems, trusted by over 3,000 mills globally, will power the machine’s operation, enhancing control, performance, and energy efficiency.

To optimize production at the Lucca Paper Mill, DS Smith selected the PMC800 drive system, recognized for its ability to deliver superior energy savings, streamlined start-ups, and seamless integration with other mill automation systems. The PMC800 system ensures precise control and efficient communication between automation components while minimizing lifecycle costs.

DS Smith’s Lucca Paper Mill in Porcari, Tuscany, started its three-year project to build PM3 back in 2022. Image DS Smith

The ABB solution also includes M3BP and AXR asynchronous squirrel cage induction motors with specialized windings for tailored applications, along with ACS880 inverters designed for exceptional performance and efficiency. PM3, which features a wire width of 8.6 meters, will produce recycled liner grades with basis weights ranging from 70 to 135 grams per square meter. The machine’s production speed is set at 1,500 meters per minute, with a mechanical design speed of 1,700 m/min.

“This investment will significantly enhance our production capacity and energy efficiency at the Porcari site,” said Massimo Basta, General Manager of DS Smith’s Lucca Paper Mill. “With construction of PM3 progressing steadily, we are eager to integrate this system, which will elevate paper production in Italy and support the growing demand for sustainable packaging worldwide.”

Jan-Willem Bos, Paper Europe Sales Manager at ABB, remarked: “Collaborating on this landmark project with DS Smith is a moment of pride for ABB. This initiative represents a benchmark for the national paper industry and reinforces our position as a trusted partner for customers worldwide. ABB’s technology and team expertise have been instrumental in reaching this stage.”

Advancing Automation and Sustainability

ABB’s Process Automation division focuses on automating, electrifying, and digitalizing industrial operations, addressing crucial needs such as energy, water, and materials. With approximately 20,000 employees, ABB Process Automation leverages advanced technology and services to improve the safety and sustainability of operations across process, hybrid, and maritime industries.

About ABB

ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation, driving a sustainable and resource-efficient future. By integrating engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB empowers industries to achieve peak performance, efficiency, and sustainability. With over 140 years of innovation and a workforce exceeding 105,000 employees, ABB remains at the forefront of technological advancements. The company’s shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).

Source