Sun Paper, in close collaboration with ABB, has successfully launched another pulp mill, at the new Beihai location in Guangxi, China. ABB has installed three sets of its flagship distributed control system (DCS) ABB Ability^™ System 800xA®, two sets of mechanical pulp drive systems, four refiner motors and auxiliary high-voltage cabinets, and over 30 high and low-voltage motors.

• Implementation of ABB Ability^™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS) at Sun Paper’s new pulp mill to drive operational accessibility
• Combined pulp production lines at the new Beihai mill represent the largest pulp production capacity among comparable lines in the global market
• The latest contract marks ABB’s 15th DCS implementation over a 20-year relationship with Sun Paper

The Beihai mill currently produces 600,000 tons of bleached mechanical pulp (APMP line and BCTMP line) and 800,000 tons of bleached pulp (BKP). The combined daily production capacity across the three lines reaches up to 4,200 air-dried tons and currently represents the largest pulp production capacity among comparable lines in the global market.

In addition to DCS implementation, the mill will integrate ABB’s Relion® 615 protection and control series of relays with the 800xA for both the APMP and BCTMP mechanical pulp production lines, together with Load Commuted Inverter (LCI) drives solution. This will enable soft starting for multi-motor connections, significantly reducing the start and stopping impact of the refiner motors on the power grid to ensure production safety and stability.

ABB was able to meet Sun Paper’s objective to strengthen the interconnection between the DCS and laboratory data and gain access to the status monitoring of the refiner motor system. This achieved system-wide centralized information management, helping managers understand on-site conditions in real-time to support their pulp production decisions. They can also manage remote operations and configurations using mobile devices such as tablets and phones, which improves the collaboration and convenience of the system. This advanced setup of the DCS safeguards production stability and lays a solid foundation for future expansion and other digital solutions.

“We have chosen ABB’s solutions over others for years because we greatly value their outstanding product quality and engineering services,” said Mr Ying Guangdong, deputy general manager and chief engineer of Shandong Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co. Ltd. “As for the pulp project at the Beihai Mill, the ABB team has consistently demonstrated their excellent project execution and collaborative strengths, ensuring the smooth start-up of our new production line.”

“ABB has been working closely with Sun Paper for over two decades now and this latest strategic cooperation at their new Beihai mill further strengthens our collaboration,” said Mr YueMing Liu, ABB Pulp and Paper Industry lead, North Asia and China. “Our advanced automation, electrification and digital solutions are supporting Sun Paper in their digital transformation and sustainable development journey.”

During their 20+ year collaboration, ABB has provided 15 DCSs to Sun Paper, safeguarding unparalleled system connectivity, as well as a collaborative, real-time decision-making environment for its paper production lines and pulp mills. This latest project follows the recent completion of four pulp production line projects at Sun Paper’s Shandong production base.