- 04/06/2026
- Valmet Automation
Inter Eastern Container reduces waste and improves corrugated board quality with Valmet’s Quality Control System
Inter Eastern Container recently invested in a Valmet IQ Quality Control System for its corrugated box plant, bringing about a step change in the plant’s performance. Board warping was reduced by around 90%, and overall production efficiency has greatly increased.
Based in Prachinburi, Thailand, Inter Eastern Container is a member of Inter Group Packaging (IGP), one of the country’s leading manufacturers of corrugated board and packaging. The group includes two other corrugated board plants and one paper mill in Thailand. The group’s daily production capacity exceeds one million square meters of corrugated board.
Tackling variation, warping and cracking
In the past few years, the market has become much more competitive, and customer requirements have increased,” says Kittisak Rangnoktai, Managing Director of Inter Eastern Container Co., Ltd. “To stay competitive, we had to make sure our operations are as efficient as possible, and that we don’t want to have any quality issues.”
At the same time, Inter Eastern Container was facing some of the most critical challenges common in corrugated board production — including quality variation, warping, and cracking.
“Before we decided that change was needed, warping and cracking issues were also significant,” explains Koragot Phuttapanya, Plant Manager at Inter Eastern Container.
Investing in technology to stay ahead
For Inter Group Packaging, investing in technology is part of its strategy to meet changing market demands.
“We want to be a leader in innovation. It is a key driver of our development,” Kittisak says.
The company’s goals of long-term customer value, improved efficiency and a fast return on investment guided the decision to implement a new quality control solution.
“If we see that a solution can bring a quick return on investment, we move forward with it,” he explains. “But we also look at what other benefits it can bring – for example, whether it helps our people work less with more impact.
Kittisak Rangnoktai, Managing Director of Inter Eastern Container.
A comprehensive solution for corrugated board quality control
After evaluating different options, Inter Eastern Container selected Valmet’s quality control solution for its corrugator line, one of the first implementations of this technology in the region.
“This solution stood out as superior to the other alternatives we considered,” Kittisak says.
Completed in 2025, the final delivery included a Valmet IQ Quality Control System, featuring Valmet IQ Moisturizer as well as online moisture, temperature and warp measurement solutions, all integrated with automatic closed-loop controls. Together, these give Inter Eastern Container precise control of all corrugated board types, help reduce warping, improve bonding and ensure consistent corrugator performance.
Moisture imbalance is one of the key factors behind sheet warping and cracking, so moisture control was a necessity.
Measurable improvements across the process
The results after implementation were both immediate and significant.
“We achieved all project objectives after installing the system,” Koragot says. “Warping from the corrugator was reduced by around 90%, while cracking issues and customer complaints dropped by approximately 80%. And we began receiving positive feedback.
The plant even organized an open house for its customers. According to Koragot Phuttapanya, seeing the new control system in operation has increased customer confidence.
“With consistently good quality board, we can now complete orders far more efficiently without losing boxes during production. This has helped eliminate short shipments and improved delivery reliability,” Kittisak says.
What’s more, the company now also produces far less waste and has faster overall production and smoother operation of the flexo printing machine.
“This is very new technology for us and even the whole of Asia,” Kittisak says. “But we saw strong potential and had high expectations for what it could deliver.”
Boosting efficiency and employee satisfaction
The move toward automation produced another striking improvement. It has completely transformed daily operations on the shop floor.
“Previously, operators had to control all the settings manually,” Koragot explains. “Now, with board profile data, operators work more effectively. Product quality has improved and working time has actually decreased.
Koragot Phuttapanya, Plant Manager at Inter Eastern Container
The impact is visible not only in performance metrics, but also in how people experience their work. “Production staff are much happier,” he notes.
Kittisak highlights a similar point: “I’ve heard a lot of comments from new employees that our factory is something they have never seen before. With better and more efficient machines, we can attract more qualified people and develop even faster.”
A partnership built on teamwork and local support
Close cooperation between Valmet and Inter Eastern Container was key to the project’s success. “We worked together as a team throughout the whole process,” Koragot says.
Strong local support was also invaluable.
“Valmet’s local service team here in Thailand was one of the reasons we chose them,” Kittisak explains. “We can just make a call and get a response quickly, in our own language. And there is also a local spare parts warehouse. This kind of service is hard to get without a local presence.”
According to Kittisak, the overall experience was very smooth. “Even when there were challenges, Valmet always came up with solutions,” he says.
From quality to customer confidence
With the new control system in place, Inter Eastern Container sees significant potential for further development.
“There is still a lot more to learn, for the system has huge potential,” Kittisak says.
Today, however, the main objectives have been achieved now that the plant has gained greater control over its quality. The next step is to further strengthen the company’s position as a long-term packaging partner in an increasingly competitive market.
“In the end, we are not only selling packaging,” Kittisak concludes. “We are selling confidence to our customers.”
