Sun Paper’s second paper machine PM 2 in Laos sets a new start-up record

Photo: Voith

On January 10th , Sun Paper started up a new packaging production line PM 2 in Laos. As the 6th packaging paper machine that Voith supplied to Sun Paper, PM 2 started up 18 days ahead of schedule and is Sun Paper’s second paper machine outside of China.

From stock on wire to paper on reel it took only 1 hour and 46 mins. The team has thus set up a new start-up record for this type of paper machine. Voith supported Sun Paper’s fast expansion in capacity and high-quality development with the start-ups of PM 1 and PM 2 just within one month. The tight schedule was a challenge but due to the strong collaboration and close project execution among Voith and Sun Paper, both paper machines started up ahead of schedule. Sun Paper’s “Forest-pulp-paper integration” strategy implementation achieved a new milestone. “Based on our experience of PM 1, our team from Voith and Sun Paper further optimized feather and parameters of the second machine,” says Aimin Zhang, Laos Project Director from Sun Paper. “Consequently, PM 2 started up 18 days earlier than planned and it took only 36 days from I/O checking to first roll-out. This success proves again the expertise and know-how of both teams, as well as the close collaboration. I believe that PM 2 will soon achieve the highest performance level. I would like to thank Voith for the great contribution.”

The Laos project is Sun Paper’s “Going Global” strategic expansion, which has already shown the company’s insight and competitiveness by taking advantage of the region’s rich forest resources, geographic location, and future tax privileges brought by the regional comprehensive economic partnership agreement. PM 1 and PM 2 have helped to increase the proportion of high-quality packaging paper, and the two efficient and reliable paper machines strengthened the cost competitiveness. The two machines are installed in the same workshop, while PM 1 is the right-hand machine, producing paper with basis weights of 140-250g/m2 and an annual output of 520,000 tons; PM 2 with left-hand machine direction is producing low-weight products with a range of 100-160g/m2 and an annual capacity of 480,000 tons.

The start-up of PM 2 also signifies that all packaging paper machines operating at Sun Paper are provided by Voith. Sun Paper partners with Voith from its first entry into the packaging paper business, co-worked on the structural optimization under supply-side reforms in China, and now, the overseas project witnessed the collaboration during Sun Paper’s global expansion. The development of Sun Paper’s packaging paper is a journey of innovation and also one in which Voith is always present to provide the best possible solutions and services to its customers.