Kristina Idner has worked for 50 years at AFRY

What motivated you to become an engineer?

From a young age, I was curious about technology and joined my father on the tractor, both on the farm and in the forest, when we moved to our newly purchased farm. I was four years old at the time.

My interest in technology grew further when my brother, who is 10 years older than me, taught me to build with Meccano* and create various mechanical constructions. When he started at KTH (Royal Institute of Technology), I became even more inspired.

(*Meccano is a model construction kit made of reusable metal parts, plates, beams, wheels, axles, and gears, assembled with nuts and bolts. The building system is highly versatile and can be used to create various types of models.)

Can you name a few especially memorable moments from your career?

During the mid-1980s, I was responsible for the process of building a new fibre line in Borneo, Sabah Forest Industries SDN BHD Malaysia. Towards the end, together with others from the then ÅF, I trained the newly hired engineers from all disciplines who would work at the factory. The training spanned a year, half of which was in Sweden and the other half on-site in Borneo.

A smaller challenge arose when my husband was in Panama for the start-up of a new hydroelectric project, and our children were 14 and 4 years old at the time. Our eldest daughter stayed at her godparents' home, while the younger one accompanied me on-site, attended the Canadian preschool, and received daytime care from a colleague's wife.

When you started your career, you were one of the few female engineers – what did that mean?

I always tried to be the most energetic and meticulous compared to my male colleagues, which meant that I, to some extent, overworked my assignments. Additionally, I adopted a tougher attitude than my personality truly reflects.

But throughout the years, I’ve always received support from my bosses at work and my dear husband. Together, we’ve discussed both my and his technical and managerial questions. With many days spent travelling each year, the one at home usually handles all the private errands, home repairs, or car restorations.

Since we were both often travelling, we were in great need of childcare support, and we were helped by our "foster grandmother" who stayed with us weekly when both of us were away. An invaluable contribution!

How do you think opportunities for women in the industry have changed over the years?

As women were gradually employed as operators and even as production managers, the positive attitude towards women at various levels in the industry grew. It has also been an inspiration for many in the industry, leading to more women transitioning from laboratory and research roles to production and project roles.

How has technology, particularly within the fields of engineering and digitalisation, evolved during your time at AFRY?

At the start of my career, most calculations were done manually, except for certain simulations, mostly within research. These were performed on a mainframe computer, such as at KTH. From a factory trial lasting a few days, several A4 folders filled with tables and calculations could be generated.

The industry has also transitioned from manually reading instruments and/or using those equipped with printers to digitally collecting data, enabling more effective processing in programs like Excel and use in various computer simulation software.

Which of the projects you worked on presented the most challenges?

It was likely during 1987–1989, involving the feasibility study, implementation, and start-up of the first oxygen delignification plant and an entirely new ECF bleaching plant in Finland at the sulphate pulp mill in Jakobstad, Wisa Forest Kymmene, now owned by Billerud. It was both a language and technology challenge since the mill had no prior experience with either oxygen delignification or chlorine-free bleaching.

Another project was Sweden’s first TCF bleaching plant, including chemical preparation for bleaching, at the Frövi mill, which at the time was owned by Assi Domän, now owned by Billerud. We carried out the feasibility study, pre-project, implementation, and start-up, and there were challenges regarding technology, equipment selection, and product quality. The project lasted from 1995 to 1998.

You were also involved in South Africa – any particular project you would like to highlight?

One project was for the Ngodwana mill complex in South Africa. I was both project manager and process manager, with an incredibly skilled team from the then ÅF and a very knowledgeable client who wanted to evaluate us for selection as the “preferred consultant” for Sappi, which was a challenge.

We were approved as the “preferred consultant,” but at the cost of exceeding the budget. Nonetheless, we had the privilege of working on many studies and implementation projects at both the Ngodwana and Saiccor plants, making all the efforts worthwhile.

Saiccor is the world’s largest producer of dissolving pulp based on the sulphite process, and in Ngodwana, we helped install a fibre line for the production of dissolving pulp based on the sulphate process. We were also entrusted with many different assignments in South Africa for Sappi during 2002-2024.

What are you most proud of?

That I have managed to develop myself, not only as a process specialist but also in the role of a team leader. I’ve learned more by working alongside all the other disciplines needed in a project—mechanics, electrical systems, instrumentation, automation, and construction, to name a few.

With your vast experience, what advice would you give to those starting their engineering careers?

• Keep up with technological developments in various ways, both in research and with different suppliers.
• Dare to try new things, be curious, and take on all challenges!
• Be meticulous and adhere to established schedules.
• Be yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek help from your skilled managers and colleagues.

Thank you, Kristina. It’s been wonderful to hear your story. We’re so glad you chose to stay with us throughout your amazing career!