Asia Symbol, in collaboration with Voith, has claimed to achieve a new industry milestone for the Rugao BM 13 paper machine. 

The machine successfully delivered its full design speed of 1,400 metres per minute in just eight months after its start-up in October 2023.  

The XcelLine paper machine, with a width of 8.16m, is designed to produce approximately one million tons of folding boxboard annually, with a basis weight range of 17g to 400g per square metre. 

Voith’s comprehensive solution for the Rugao BM 13 machine includes BlueLine stock preparation, the aforementioned XcelLine paper machine, and two VariFlex Performance winders with a fully automated Flying Splice roll change. 

The partnership between Asia Symbol and Voith has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and efficiency.  

Innovations such as the Triple NipcoFlex press, EcoHood dryer hood, ropeless threading, and the qDry Pro drying system with HelioX infrared emitter have been integrated to optimise resource use and energy consumption. 

In addition, Voith’s delivery encompassed a complete clothing package and a suite of automation solutions, including the OnControl MCS, DCS, Drive Control, OnQuality MD/CD Control, and OnCare.Health condition monitoring systems.  

Asia Symbol (Jiangsu) operations director Zigang Xia said: “The cooperation with Voith has opened a new chapter in the Chinese paper industry: a white folding boxboard machine with a speed of 1,400 metres a minute after a start-up time of only eight months is a global benchmark! We are very grateful to the Voith team for their professionalism and tireless efforts.  

“The close cooperation between the two teams has enabled us to set new standards in production quality and efficiency.” 

In November last year, Sun Paper commenced operations on Voith’s XcelLine machines at two packaging paper machines in Nanning, China.