Voith and Sun Paper Set New Benchmark as PM47 Reaches 1,400 m/min in 10 Days

  • PM47 reached its maximum operating speed of 1,400 m/min only 10 days after startup, setting a new benchmark for multi-fourdrinier packaging paper machines.
  • Voith supplied the complete production line, including an OCC stock preparation line with a design capacity of 2,200 t/d, among the highest-capacity OCC lines in Asia.
  • The project was completed from civil construction to first reel in just 11 months and 8 days.

Voith has successfully started up PM47, a new packaging paper machine supplied to Sun Paper at its Yanzhou production site in Shandong Province, China. With a wire width of 8.66 meters and an annual design capacity of 700,000 tons, PM 47 achieved its maximum operating speed of 1,400 m/min only 10 days after start-up, making it among the fastest-running multi-fourdrinier packaging paper machines worldwide.

The project progressed from civil construction to first reel in just 11 months and 8 days, while ramping up to its maximum operating speed only 10 days after start-up. These achievements reflect the combination of Voith’s full-line technology and the close collaboration between the project teams of Voith and Sun Paper.

The startup of PM47 further strengthens the more than 20-year partnership between Voith and Sun Paper, a collaboration that has delivered numerous successful paper production projects and industry benchmarks.

1,400 m/min: Full-Line Technology Supports Record Performance
Voith delivered PM47 as a full-line supplier. The scope of delivery included the OCC stock preparation system, the UKP virgin fibre system, wet-end process systems, the paper machine from headbox to reel, as well as automation and digitalisation technologies.

A key component of the project is the OCC line, designed for a capacity of 2,200 tons per day, making it among the highest-capacity OCC lines in Asia. The system also features Voith’s IntensaPulper, among the world’s highest-capacity low-consistency pulpers, enabling reliable and efficient raw material processing under large-scale production conditions.

The production line is equipped with Voith’s advanced automation and digital solutions, including MCS, QCS, OnCare.CM and MillOne, covering process control, quality management, condition monitoring and production data management. The MillOne platform provides a centralised environment for production data visualisation and analysis.

In addition, permanent magnet motor technology has been extensively applied throughout the stock preparation process, helping reduce energy consumption and further improve operational efficiency.

Record-Fast Start-up and Ramp-up Performance
Following installation of the final equipment, the machine successfully produced paper only four days later, demonstrating the effectiveness of the commissioning process and the close collaboration between both teams.

After start-up, PM47 reached an operating speed of 1,300 m/min within the first week and increased to 1,400 m/min after only 10 days. The rapid ramp-up highlights both the machine’s excellent operating performance and the expertise of the joint project team throughout installation, commissioning and start-up.

“PM47 is another important milestone in the long-standing partnership between Voith and Sun Paper. The project combined advanced technology, strong execution and outstanding teamwork. Together, we achieved an exceptionally fast start-up and ramp-up, setting a new benchmark for the industry,” said Carlos Lin, SVP Order Execution & Operations, Voith Paper Asia. “Voith looks forward to continuing to support Sun Paper’s sustainable growth with innovative technologies, integrated solutions and long-term partnerships.”

About 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. Founded in 1867, Voith today has around 21,000 employees, sales of EUR4.8 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and thus is one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

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 holistic solutions from one source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and 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.