Finnish paper and packaging company Valmet has secured a contract from a subsidiary of China’s pulp-paper integrated enterprise Shandong Tian He Paper (Shandong). 

As part of the contract, Valmet will deliver a range of equipment for Shandong's new board machine, the PM 13 food-grade folding boxboard line. 

The comprehensive delivery for PM 13 will feature three OptiFlo Fourdrinier headboxes, an IntelliPress Linear press section, an IntelliTop Former forming section, five OptiCoat Roll coating stations, two OptiCalender Soft calenders, and OptiDry Coat air drying technology.  

In addition, Valmet will supply its Industrial Internet solutions with connectivity, headbox dilution profilers, basic engineering, DNA Machine Controls, Cross Direction and Machine Direction controls, and spare parts packages.  

These automation and control systems are integral to modernising the production line and ensuring optimal performance. 

Shandong's PM 13 machine has a width of 6,320mm (wire) and is designed to produce food-grade folding boxboard with a basis weight range of 170g-400g/m² at a production speed of 800 metres a minute.  

Shandong chair Xu Zhenli said: "Shandong Jin Tian He Paper develops high-end food-grade coated white cardboard to meet the people's yearning for a better life and the social demand for high-end packaging products.  

“We chose Valmet because they are one of the best pulp and paper equipment manufacturers in the world, with reliable quality, proactive service and good communication, which helps us reach our goals."  

Valmet included the order in its order bookings for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.  

The financial terms of the order have not been disclosed, but orders of this nature are typically valued between €20m ($21.95m) and €30m. 

The initiation of the folding boxboard machine is scheduled for Q2 2025.