The world’s most productive fine paper machine is currently being installed on the island of Hainan in the southernmost province of China. In a few months the “Hainan PM 2” from Voith Paper will be producing high-quality multicoated fine paper. The press section is approx. 500-tons. The PM 2 will be around 430 m (approx. 1,410 feet) long and has a design speed of 2,000 m/min (6,560 fpm). It will make a major contribution to a reduction in freshwater and pulp consumption.
The client for the PM2, Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), is one of the top ten paper makers in the world. The machine design of the PM 2 at Hainan is oriented to that of the PM 3 in Dagang, the fastest fine paper machine in the world right now.
The tandem NipcoFlex press just manufactured for the PM 2 in Hainan is the biggest press section built so far. With a design width of 11m(36 ft), a length of 20m(66 ft) and 10.5m(34.5 ft) height is the press section as heavy as 500 compact cars.
APP values the reduction in freshwater consumption and minimal use of fresh fibers in its papermaking process. The latter is achieved through an increase in coating application via pigments (mainly ground limestone).
The new PM 2 from Voith Paper will live up to this claim. The freshwater consumption in the production line will be around 5 liters per kilogram of paper produced. This is much less than the maximum allowable consumption of 10.5 l/kg, prescribed by the Chinese government. Comparable fine paper machines in Europe consume around 8 l/kg on average.
Through the reduction in freshwater consumption, the wastewater volume is also reduced. The water conditioning system at APP’s mill in Hainan has a capacity of 100,000 m³/day (approx. 3,500,000 cubic feet per day). After mechanical and biological treatment the wastewater is so pure that the State Environmental Protection Administration of China has granted the authorization for it to be piped straight into the sea.
