Can smarter maintenance streamline the sawmill industry?

One of Södra Skogsägarna’s sawmills is located in Långasjö. Photo: Jan Augustsson.

Large sawmills in Sweden are often highly automated and consist of several interconnected processes. This means that if one process experiences a breakdown, the entire machinery for sawing often halts.

In the newly launched study Ready, researchers aim to explore how dynamic maintenance work in sawmills can be enhanced using new technology, innovative practices, collaboration, and organizational development.

The goal is to reduce operational disruptions, create more stable processes, optimize material usage, and extend the lifespan of machinery. This will result in increased resource efficiency, reduced material waste, energy savings, and an improved working environment for sawmill operators.

"Innovation is required"

“This study is crucial because maintenance and operational reliability in the sawmill industry have been relatively underexplored areas. To increase the competitiveness of sawmills, innovation is needed. By leveraging AI, for instance, we can better understand and anticipate maintenance needs,” says Kristina Eriksson, Associate professor of Production systems at University West.

“We are starting with the existing equipment in sawmills and exploring how it can be used more intelligently. With dynamic maintenance, the sawmill industry can become more sustainable – in terms of both operational reliability and the social work environment.”

"The sawmill industry is a key player"

Kristina is coordinating the research team’s efforts, which involve two researchers from Chalmers and three from University West working in collaboration with personnel from Södra Skogsägarna.

“We are pleased that Vinnova has approved this feasibility study. Wood is a vital raw material for Sweden, and the sawmill industry is, of course, a significant player in the wood-processing value chain.”

The study began in October and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2025.
“By then, we will have a better understanding of the potential for creating more advanced and smarter maintenance practices. The results will form the foundation for additional research proposals aimed at further developing the field.”

FACTS

• Sweden is the world’s third largest exporter of sawn wood products. Each year, Swedish sawmills process approximately 19 million cubic meters of coniferous wood.
• Ready is a Vinnova-funded study exploring the prerequisites for advancing into a multi-year research project. The study is linked to the research and innovation program Net Zero Industry, which aims to contribute to a manufacturing industry with no negative environmental impact.University West - Kristina Eriksson

CONTACT: Kristina Eriksson, Associate professor in Production systems, University West