Valmet Refiner Segments help Stora Enso cut specific refining energy consumption by 5.5 percent
While maintaining production capacity and pulp quality – including freeness (CSF) and shive levels – Valmet's new energy-saving refiner segments enabled Stora Enso Beihai Mill to cut specific pulp energy consumption by 5.5 percent. The resulting energy savings, based on the mill's annual BCTMP output, are expected to far outweigh the cost of the segments.
Weng Changliu, BCTMP Production Engineer at Stora Enso (Guangxi) Pulp Co., Ltd.; Li Hongjie and Liu Bo, Refiner Segment Product Managers for Pulp, Energy & Circularity, Valmet, in the control room.
In Beihai, Guangxi, Stora Enso’s BCTMP line supplied by Valmet in 2016 has completed its first decade of stable operation. As market competition intensifies and operating costs continue to rise, improving energy efficiency – while maintaining production capacity and pulp quality – has become a key focus for the mill.
As the core component of the refining system, refiner segments play a decisive role in pulp quality, production performance, and energy efficiency. Recognizing this, Stora Enso and Valmet identified the refining stage as the key target for optimization and set out to unlock additional energy-saving potential through an upgrade of the segment technology.
Custom built, energy-saving refiner segment solution based on on-site operating conditions
Optimizing refiner segments involves far more than replacing components or adjusting bar patterns. It requires a comprehensive assessment of wood raw materials, pulp grades, equipment condition, operating parameters, and target pulp properties.
| Responding to the customer's request, Valmet quickly assembled a joint team consisting of refiner segment application and R&D specialists from Finland alongside local Chinese technical experts. By thoroughly analyzing historical operating data, raw material characteristics, segment-wear patterns, and process conditions – and drawing on Valmet's global experience in refiner segment applications – the team developed customized segment designs for Stora Enso’s Beihai Mill. |
Shive clean feature improves pulp quality and energy savings |
The solution combines the proven ShiveClean segment design with Valmet's latest-generation Turbine technology.
5.5% reduction in specific pulp energy consumption successfully verified
In November 2025, the new energy-saving Refiner Segments were installed on the mill's high-consistency refiner. Following installation, a clear reduction in refining energy consumption was observed in the high-consistency stage. Based on the operating principle of the new segment design, refining conditions were further optimized by moderately increasing energy input at the low-consistency stage to balance performance across both refining stages.
As a result, the mill achieved an overall reduction of approximately 5.5 percent in specific refining energy consumption across the BCTMP line, while maintaining stable production capacity and pulp quality. Encouraged by the positive outcome, the mill ordered a second set of energy-saving refiner segments before the first set reached the end of its operating cycle. The second set is currently in operation and delivers excellent performance.
The BCTMP operation at our Beihai Mill is an important part of Stora Enso's integrated forest, pulp and paper business in Beihai. Over the past ten years, it has operated efficiently and consistently supplied high-quality BCTMP that supports the reliable production of high-quality paperboard. Energy efficiency has long been a key focus in our efforts to reduce costs, improve operational performance and support low-carbon development. Through our cooperation with Valmet on high-consistency energy-saving refiner segments, we have achieved a further reduction in specific pulp energy consumption, demonstrating a tangible and successful example of energy-efficiency improvement in practice."
Beyond refiner segments: Sustained value creation
This refiner segment optimization project provides a strong practical reference for energy-saving upgrades to existing pulp lines. Even established production lines can achieve substantial economic benefits through technological iteration and targeted fine-tuning. "Valmet is committed to localizing global technologies in China and deepening collaborative innovation with customers to deliver both economic gains and carbon‑reduction benefits.” says Ma Xiaowei, Sales & Service Director, Pulp, Energy & Circularity China.
Amanda Xu, Field Service & Spare Parts Management Manager, Pulp, Energy & Circularity China, adds: “The successful implementation of these energy-saving refiner segments demonstrates Valmet's lifecycle partnership approach in practice. By focusing on our customers' operational challenges, we transform their needs into practical, measurable and verifiable energy-saving results.”
Valmet is a recognized leader in refiner segment technology, holding more than 40 patents related to refiner segment innovations. Supported by a dedicated application team, Valmet continues to invest in technology development and practical implementation. Customized segment designs with high performance and strong equipment compatibility are developed to meet customers' evolving production requirements and future upgrade needs.
