Heidenheim, Germany, 21 November 2008 -- 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 approximately 500-tons press section was manufactured in Heidenheim, Germany, and is on its way to China. The PM 2 will be around 430 m (1410 feet) long and has a design speed of 2000 m/min (6560 feet/min).

The client for the PM 2 is Asia Pulp & Paper (APP). Over the last few years, Voith Paper has manufactured three high-performance paper machines for APP and installed them onsite: PM 1, 2, and 3 in Dagang. The machine design of the PM 2 at Hainan is oriented to that of the PM 3 in Dagang, one of the fastest fine paper machines in the world.

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 11 m (36 ft), a length of 20 m (66 ft), and height of 10.5 m (34.5 ft), the press section as heavy as 500 compact cars.

Freshwater consumption in the PM 2 production line of will be about 5 L/kg 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 also will be reduced. The water conditioning system at APP’s mill in Hainan has a capacity of 100,000 cubic meters/day (approximately 3.5 million cubic feet/day). After mechanical and biological treatment the wastewater is pure enought that the State Environmental Protection Administration of China has permitted it to be piped straight into the sea.

Voith Paper is a division of Voith and one of the leading partners and groundbreakers in the paper industry. Through continuous innovations, Voith Paper is optimizing the papermaking process and developing resource-saving products to reduce energy, water, and fiber consumption.

Established on 01 January 1867, Voith is one of the largest family-owned businesses in Europe, with 40,000 employees, sales of EUR 4.2 billion (USD 5.3 billion), and more than 270 locations worldwide.