ANDRITZ starts up world’s largest single mechanical pulping line at Wuzhou Special Paper


ANDRITZ has successfully started up a new high-capacity chemi-thermomechanical pulping system supplied to Wuzhou Special Paper (Jiangxi) Co. Ltd. in Hukou County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, China. This is the largest fiberline worldwide with only one high-consistency refiner as the heart of the process.

Zhao Lei, President, Wuzhou Special Paper, says: “In collaboration with ANDRITZ, we have set a world record by achieving a capacity of 1,500 admt/d using just one HC refiner in our new production line. With this cutting-edge system, we will be self-sufficient in pulp production, guaranteeing top-quality products without having to rely on outsourcing.

Zhang Yancheng, Vice General Manager, Wuzhou Special Paper, adds: “ANDRITZ’s proven technology, coupled with its team of domestic and international experts, has greatly supported our production line start-up. We’re very satisfied with the high fiber quality and the low energy consumption.”

The new system produces pulp for premium folding boxboard using eucalyptus and acacia chips as raw material. The patented state-of-the-art P-RC APMP (Pre-conditioning Refiner Chemical Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulp) process ensures optimum pulp quality at minimum operating cost and lowest environmental impact. ANDRITZ’s scope of supply comprised the key equipment from the chip washing to the storage tower stage, featuring the following highlights:

  • PrimeMSD Impressafiner for wood chip maceration enabling optimum chemical impregnation
  • TX68 twin refiner – the world’s largest HC refiner – including an advanced feeding system for continuous high throughput and pulp quality at lowest energy consumption
  • Three Compact Press units enabling high pulp discharge consistency and superior washing efficiency after bleaching
  • PrimeScreen X screens with an innovative PrimeRotor for top energy efficiency and screening performance

The scope of supply also included the basic engineering as well as supervision of mechanical installation, commissioning, and start-up.

Wuzhou Special Paper (Jiangxi) Co. Ltd. was founded in 2014 in Hukou County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, China, as part of Wuzhou Special Paper Co. Ltd., one of China’s leading food packaging paper manufacturers and one of the largest glassine paper and tracing paper manufacturers.