Recently, Sun Paper's two state-of-the-art packaging paper machines PM 2 and PM 3 were successfully commissioned at the Nanning, China site within one month. PM 3 successfully passed the tests in only three weeks and achieved a record-breaking start-up time of only one hour from stock on wire to the first saleable paper roll. With the start-up of the two state-of-the-art XcelLine machines from Voith, Sun Paper consolidates its leading position in the global paper industry and sets another milestone in the long-standing cooperation between the two companies. The exceptional performance is the result of many years of trust and close cooperation between the Sun Paper and Voith teams. The daily exchange of knowledge and thorough project preparation led to significantly reduced downtimes during project implementation.
- Within a month, Sun Paper has started up two packaging paper machines ahead of schedule – this is the fourth follow-up order of this kind between Voith and Sun Paper
- PM 3 sets a new start-up world record: Only one hour from stock on wire to the first saleable paper roll
- Voith's XcelLine machines are characterized by the highest performance: PM 2 reached the designed production within three weeks after start-up, PM 3 within two weeks. The paper produced is of stable quality and already meets customer requirements from the first reel
“PM 2 and PM 3 in Nanning are the 13th and 14th paper machines in the partnership between Sun Paper and Voith. Our long-standing cooperation with Voith has taught us that a good business relationship is not only based on one-time success but also on mutual support and long-term growth,” says Li Lu, Chairman of Sun Holdings Group. “We continue to work closely together in the packaging paper business. From PMs 31/32 and PMs 36/37 in Zoucheng to PM 1/2s in Laos and PMs 2/3 in Nanning, we and Voith have demonstrated through concrete actions that a true partnership is based on deep mutual trust and shared values.”
“The highly efficient implementation and rapid commissioning of the Nanning project is just one example of this successful long-term strategic alliance,” confirms Ying Guangdong, Vice General Manager and Chief Engineer of Sun Paper. “It not only strengthens the cooperation between Sun Paper and Voith in the field of packaging paper but also shows our determination to jointly seek sustainable and innovative solutions.”
Operating efficiency is an important parameter to judge the success of a project, according to Fu Guoling, Project Director of Nanning PM 2/3 and Zoucheng PM 36/37 production line, and continues, “Voith's machines have superior performance: PM 2 reaches designed production within three weeks after start-up, PM 3 within two weeks”, Guoling explains. “The paper is of excellent and stable quality and has been very well received by the market. At the same time, excellent management on both sides has significantly shortened the project duration, resulting in an even faster economic profitability. In addition, the installation of two machines for the left and right sides optimizes the investment by reducing operating and maintenance costs, maximizing the utilization of raw materials, and thus further improving economic return.”
The PM 2 and PM 3 machines in Nanning have a wire width of 7.3 m and has achieved a design speed of 1,200 m/min. PM 2 produces high-quality packaging paper with a basis weight of 140-250 gsm and an annual capacity of around 520,000 tons. PM 3 specializes in high-quality packaging paper with a basis weight between 100-160 gsm and has an annual capacity of around 480,000 tons. As the leading full-line supplier, Voith supplied all components from headbox to reel, including industry-leading automatic control systems and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, such as MCS, QCS and OnCare.Health.
Kurt Yu, President of Voith Paper Asia, says, “We are very honored to be the key partner in Sun Paper's ambitious plans for the packaging paper sector. Each follow-up order is not only a recognition of the product, but also an expression of appreciation for our many years of trustful cooperation.”
With the successful commissioning of the two machines in Nanning, Sun Paper achieves a significant milestone in the coordinated development of the Guangxi Beihai-Nanning region and its sites in Shandong, Laos and Guangxi. This step strengthens the company's position and promotes the creation of a self-sufficient forest pulp-paper system. Through a low-carbon, circulating production chain, Sun Paper ensures efficient raw material control and strengthens its competitiveness in the market.
About Sun Paper
Founded in 1982, Shandong Sun Paper is a leader in the papermaking industry in China. It ranks among China's Fortune 500 companies and is one of the world's 30 largest paper manufacturers. It has been awarded the National Green Factory recognition. The company possesses strong technological innovation capabilities, being responsible for one project in the National 863 Program and over 30 technology research projects at national and provincial levels, as well as being the proud recipient of significant technology innovation awards such as first place in the National Prize for Progress in Science and Technology, the Commendation Award in the China Grand Awards for Industry, and second place in the National Award for Technological Invention. By inventing the world’s first process of continuous cooking of dissolved wood pulp, extracting xylose from hydrolyzed liquid, and making the world’s first sheet of chemical-free paper in its “Additive Free” household paper range, the company has achieved “Three World Firsts” with its technological innovations.
Sun Papers strives to implement its ESG policies to create a sustainable and respected world-class enterprise. Based on its leading implementation and outstanding achievements in years of environmental, social and corporate governance management, Sun Paper (002078.SZ) has been incorporated by Hang Seng Indexes as one of the constituents in the Hang Seng (China A) Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index. The company is proud to be amongst China's Top 100 ESG Listed Companies, and has been incorporated into the China Securities Index’s Securities Times ESG 100 Index.
About Sun Holdings
Shandong Sun Holdings Group Co. Ltd. is the controlling shareholder of Sun Paper and a leading cross-national papermaking group integrating forestry, pulp and papermaking. For a long time, Sun Holdings has been unwavering in its implementation of new development strategies, deepening its promotion of replacing old energies with new, expanding foreign business, implementing the “double carbon” strategy and actively participating in the “One Belt One Road” initiative. It has strived to create a green circulatory production chain that integrates forestry, pulp and papermaking, pushing ahead with a highly efficient and coordinated development of the three important bases of Shandong, Guangxi and Laos. In 2022, Sun Holdings achieved a 70.6 billion Yuan turnover, becoming one of China's 500 largest companies and one of the top 500 Chinese private enterprises. It ranked first in an Overall Review of the Top 10 Papermaking Enterprises in China's Light Industry.
About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith today has around 21,000 employees and earns 4.9 billion euros in sales. It has locations in more than 60 countries and is one of Europe’s major family-owned companies.
The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market, and offers paper manufacturers integrated solutions from one source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its comprehensive automation products and leading digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.