coated white board paper machine 3200mm
3,200 mm Four-Ply Coated White Paperboard Machine Project in Xinjiang, China – 80,000 Tons per Year
Project Overview
This project was completed for a paper mill in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.
The paper machine was designed to produce high-quality coated white paperboard and Grade A linerboard for packaging applications.
Commissioned in 2012, the production line has been operating reliably in commercial production for 14 years, demonstrating the durability of its process design and major equipment components.
The line has a designed annual production capacity of approximately 80,000 tons, equivalent to around 230 tons of finished paperboard per day.
Key Project Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Project Location | Xinjiang, China |
| Commissioning Year | 2012 |
| Trimmed Paper Width | 3,200 mm |
| Forming Configuration | Four-ply Fourdrinier |
| Design Speed | 250 m/min |
| Stable Operating Speed | 160–220 m/min |
| Basis Weight Range | 200–450 g/m² |
| Main Products | Coated White Paperboard and Grade A Linerboard |
| Annual Production Capacity | Approximately 80,000 tons |
| Daily Production Capacity | Approximately 230 tons |
Four-Ply Forming Section
A four-ply sheet-forming configuration was selected for this project.
The machine is equipped with four independent air-cushion headboxes for the top, middle, underliner, and back plies.
Each ply is formed separately, allowing different fiber furnish compositions to be used and the properties of the finished paperboard to be adjusted according to production requirements.
The forming section includes:
Four independent Fourdrinier forming sections
Sectional vacuum boxes
Vacuum couch roll
Vacuum transfer roll
Independent variable-frequency control for forming fabric tension
The synchronized operation of the four forming fabrics helps maintain a stable sheet structure while reducing the risk of ply separation and paperboard warping.
Raw Materials
The production line is designed to process a blend of fiber raw materials, including:
Recycled paper pulp
Market wood pulp
The separate formation of the four plies allows higher-quality fibers to be used in layers where surface quality and printability are particularly important, while more economical fibers can be used in the inner layers.
This approach provides flexibility in raw material selection and helps optimize production costs.
Press Section
The press section features a combined vacuum press arrangement with four rolls and three press nips, incorporating one shoe press.
This configuration helps to:
Increase sheet dryness before the dryer section
Reduce the thermal load on the drying cylinders
Improve the stability of the paperboard structure
Dryer Section and Two-Stage On-Machine Coating
One of the main technical features of this project is the integration of a multi-cylinder dryer section with a two-stage on-machine coating system.
The dryer section includes:
36 cast-iron drying cylinders, each 1,800 mm in diameter
Sectional steam supply control
Semi-enclosed dryer hood
Hot-air circulation system
The machine is equipped with two coating stages:
First Stage – Air-Knife Pre-Coating
Coating application weight: 15–22 g/m²
Second Stage – Blade Top-Coating
Coating application weight: 12–18 g/m²
After coating application, the paperboard web passes through a dedicated hot-air drying system before entering the subsequent dryer sections.
This integrated coating arrangement supports the production of coated paperboard with improved surface properties for printing and packaging applications.
Calendering Section
A two-roll calender is installed after the final drying stage.
The calender improves surface smoothness and prepares the finished paperboard for subsequent color printing and packaging conversion.
Drive System and Automation
All major machine sections are equipped with independent variable-frequency drives.
Separate drive control is provided for:
Forming section
Press section
Dryer section
Coating section
Reel section
The production line is equipped with a Distributed Control System (DCS) and an online Quality Control System (QCS).
The QCS monitors key paperboard quality parameters, including:
Basis weight
Moisture content
Caliper (thickness)
Additional automation and safety features include:
Web-break detection system
Tension-related safety interlocks
Automatic rope threading system
These systems help maintain stable operation and improve production control across the entire paper machine.
Project Results
Since commissioning in 2012, the production line has maintained reliable commercial operation for 14 years.
The project has demonstrated:
The reliability of the four-ply forming configuration
Stable operation of the on-machine coating system
The capability to produce paperboard in the 200–450 g/m² basis weight range
Reliable long-term performance of the main mechanical and automation systems
Our Experience in Paperboard Machine Projects
This project is one example of our experience in designing and manufacturing paper machines for packaging paperboard production.
We provide comprehensive solutions for paper mill projects, including:
Process and equipment design
Paper machine manufacturing
Automation and control systems
Equipment installation
Commissioning and start-up
Operator training
Whether you are planning a new coated paperboard production line or upgrading an existing paper machine, our engineering team can help develop a solution tailored to your production capacity, raw materials, and product requirements.
Contact us to discuss your coated paperboard machine project.