Practical collaboration and efficient production for high quality

Shandong Bohui Paper Industry Co. Ltd.’s PM 8 is the flagship project at their Shandong mill in China. PM 8 is a crucial part of Shandong Bohui Paper’s strategic development plans, and it is one of the largest complete fine paper lines Valmet has supplied. The delivery went smoothly thanks to excellent collaboration, and it included the entire papermaking line, from stock preparation to reel and winders, as well as flow control solutions and a complete automation system with Valmet Industrial Internet. This ultra-large fine paper production line stands out in the industry for its safe, stable, and efficient high-speed performance and its high-quality products.

Outstanding collaboration leads to success

Liu Jichun, CEO of Bohui Paper, is delighted with the two parties’ collaboration. “Reflecting on our collaboration with Valmet, I’d highlight three key points,” he says. “First, Valmet is very responsible and proactive in taking on challenges. Second, their expertise in pulp and paper is second to none – they’re truly world-class. Third, their service is exceptionally responsive.”

“The smooth start-up of the entire machine and the subsequent production ramp-up and stabilization are all thanks to our cooperation with Valmet – it’s been pragmatic and efficient,” agrees Xu Shanbin, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Mill, Shandong Bohui Paper.

High-speed and highly efficient

For the past two years, Shandong Bohui Paper’s PM 8 has been operating steadily at an average speed of 1,650 meters per minute, with a top speed of 1,750 meters per minute in September 2024. The paper machine produces uncoated woodfree grades, including electrostatic copy paper and high-grade offset paper, as well as the recently launched high-grade white kraft paper and high-grade digital printing paper.

OptiSizer Film helps improve the paper’s strength and surface properties.

Shandong Bohui Paper has been especially satisfied with the machine’s operation and energy efficiency. “The paper machine’s stable operation provides a solid foundation for energy saving and carbon reduction. More importantly, technologies such as the OptiFormer Gap forming section, OptiPress Linear press section with two shoe nips, and OptiAir Recovery heat recovery are all top choices for consumption reduction and energy conservation,” says Liu Jichun.

Standout quality in the high-end market

Shandong Bohui Paper stands out in the premium market segment with its exceptional surface smoothness (PPS), which ensures precision and consistency in printing. “The premium digital printing paper Valmet’s paper machines produce offers a significant quality advantage, especially in color reproduction and overall print quality,” Liu Xiaolong explains.

He adds that the high-grade white kraft paper Shandong Bohui’s PM 8 produces has a premium market share of over 45 percent, thanks to the stability of the entire production line’s quality control and OptiCalender Soft calender, which enhances the paper surface’s finish.

Shandong Bohui Paper’s PM 8 produces uncoated woodfree grades.

“The unique feature of the press section design is its clever balance between paper bulk and dewatering efficiency, and it performs exceptionally well in controlling rewetting, especially for grades with high mechanical pulp addition,” Liu Xiaolong notes. “This also constitutes the comprehensive competitive advantages of the paper PM 8 produces in terms of bulk, surface properties, and overall cost advantage.”

The paper machine’s stable operation provides a solid foundation for energy saving and carbon reduction.

“Compared with traditional runnability system concepts, the latest development in the Valmet Hirun System enables air volume to be nearly halved, making a significant contribution to the paper machine’s energy efficiency,” he adds.

Aiming for new industry standards

Bohui Paper focuses on technological innovation and is committed to continuous breakthroughs. Xu Shanbin expresses his hopes: “Both Valmet and Bohui should keep moving forward together to achieve a design speed of 1,800 meters per minute and boost Overall Effectiveness (OE) to 92 percent, setting new industry benchmarks.”

One of Shandong Bohui Paper’s core strategies is sustainable development and digital transformation. “In future, we’ll be able to gradually deepen our collaboration with Valmet in areas like remote diagnostics and online quality prediction. This will drive innovation and efficiency,” Liu Jichun predicts. 

Liu Jichun, CEO of Bohui Paper.
Xu Shanbin, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Mill, Shandong Bohui Paper.	Liu Xiaolong, Deputy Production Director of PM 6 and PM 8, Shandong Bohui Paper.

Text Dana Zhu PHOTOS Jun Lu