Yueyang Forest & Paper has successfully brought online a suite of ABB drive and testing technologies as part of a major paper mill upgrade in Yueyang, Hunan Province, China. This marks a key milestone in a multi-phase investment aimed at increasing production and maintaining high product standards.
The newly commissioned paper machine, with a paper width of 10,515 mm and an operational speed of 1,700 meters per minute, is designed to produce up to 450,000 tons of fine paper annually. This development follows an investment exceeding $430 million in the project’s initial phase.
To meet performance and quality targets, the facility is now equipped with ABB’s Paper Machine Drive systems, L&W Autoline automated paper testing platform, and specialized laboratory equipment including testers for felt moisture, air permeability, freeness, and fiber analysis. These tools support the production of fine and specialty papers, including copy and offset printing paper.
The L&W Autoline system integrates modules for key quality indicators such as air permeance, roughness (Bendtsen), smoothness (Bekk), thickness, tensile stiffness orientation, formation, color and brightness (Elrepho), tensile strength, bending resistance, and grammage. ABB engineers worked closely with Yueyang Paper and the paper machine supplier throughout the planning and commissioning stages, tailoring the solution to meet operational demands and site-specific requirements. The joint team focused on achieving high reliability and control in high-speed production conditions.
Qin Jijin, Project Manager at Yueyang Paper, acknowledged the role of ABB in ensuring timely and effective execution “ABB’s team showed deep technical knowledge, attention to detail, and strong commitment throughout the project. Their support was crucial in overcoming key challenges during critical stages of implementation.”
Liu Yueming, Local Business Line Manager for ABB’s Pulp and Paper division in China, commented on the partnership “We’re proud to support Yueyang Paper in delivering a high-performance and stable solution. This project not only improves capacity and quality, but also sets a benchmark for industrial growth and technological advancement in the region.”
The plant’s successful startup is expected to stimulate broader economic activity, benefiting industries such as logistics, printing, packaging, chemicals, machinery, forestry, and environmental services. It also marks a step forward in adopting newer technologies and strengthening the paper manufacturing value chain.
Yueyang Forest & Paper, formerly Yueyang Paper Mill, was founded in 1958 and now operates under China Paper Investment Corporation, part of China Chengtong Holdings Group. Its partnership with ABB began in 1998 and has since included multiple drive systems, electrical infrastructure for pulp production lines, and automation systems across related projects.
ABB, a global provider of electrification and automation solutions, supports industrial operations through advanced engineering and digital tools. With more than a century of experience and approximately 110,000 employees worldwide, the company focuses on helping industries improve performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
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