On Nov. 25, 2017, Voith Paper, Germany installed its new NipcoFlex shoe presses on the BM 4 and BM 5 paper machines at Wanlida Paper-Products Co., in Kunshan, China. The shoe presses were later started up successfully. The upgrade was part of a contract signed on Aug. 11, 2016, according to which Voith Paper was to provide three NipcoFlex shoe presses along with the control systems for the second presses on the BM 3, BM 4, and BM 5 at Wanlida. 

In the upgrade of BM 4 and BM 5 machines, the entire process from shutting down to restarting was carried out smoothly. The two paper machines were designed to manufacture testliner paper from 100% domestic recycled paper with a basis weight of 120 to 200 gsm and a wire section width of 6,260 mm.

 

 

When the new NipcoFlex shoe presses were put into operation on November 25, the operating speed of the two machines went up by 50 to 80 m/min. and the dryness of the paper out of the press section went up from 45% to more than 50%, while steam consumption and paper breaks were reduced appreciably and sheet strength improved considerably, well surpassing the expectations of the client. The shoe press upgrade on BM 3 will take place soon.

"We are very satisfied with the overall performance of the machines following the shoe press upgrade, which has brought us tangible and notable benefits in terms of improved dryness, reduced energy consumption, lowered operating and maintenance costs, and improved operational efficiency," said Wanida.

 

The successful shoe press upgrade on BM 4 and BM 5 not only enhances the paper quality but also lowers the production costs, giving Wanlida an edge over similarly sized competitors.

Located in the township of Xintang, Zengcheng City, Guangdong Province, China, Guangzhou Wanlida Paper Products Co., a Sino-foreign joint venture, is a major manufacturer of kraft, liner, and high-strength corrugated paper in China.