Asia Symbol’s BM 13 successfully reaches Final Acceptance just 11 months after start-up

The machine has a wire width of 8,900 mm and a design speed of 1,400 m/min. Currently, Rugao BM 13 is the longest paper machine in China, spanning a total length of 516 meters from the headbox to the winders. It now reliably produces high-quality white folding boxboard and reached its maximum design speed of 1,400 m/min in only eight months. For products in the 300 to 400 gsm range, production has already exceeded design capacity.

The Rugao BM 13 has also set an impressive nine-day record without paper breaks and maintains a high production rate of 98 percent, further enhancing Asia Symbol’s competitive edge in the market. The exceptional performance of the Rugao BM 13 has been crucial to achieving FAC in just 11 months.

“Achieving FAC in just 11 months demonstrates the professionalism of Voith’s full-line approach, which further strengthens our competitive advantage in high-quality folding boxboard production,” comments Jigang Xia, Operations Director at Asia Symbol. “We are very grateful for the full support and collaboration of the Voith team.”

Rugao BM 13 is equipped with a full-line solution from Voith, including the advanced BlueLine stock preparation, the intelligent XcelLine, and two VariFlex Performance winders with fully automated Flying Splice reel change. The solution also integrates sustainable and efficient technologies such as the EcoHood dryer hood, the resource-saving Triple NipcoFlex press, ropeless threading in the dryer section, and contactless qDry Pro drying with HelioX infrared emitters. Voith also provided a comprehensive automation package, including the OnControl MCS, DCS, Drive Control, OnQuality MD/CD Control, and the OnCare.Health condition monitoring system.

The Rugao BM 13 has four full-ranged material handling lines all provided by Meri, covering from unit loading to dewired bale feeding. The material handling system consists of a UDM dewiring machine, a DSU destacker, a DVIR single bale dewiring machine, an MD metal detector, chain conveyors and a slat conveyor. Meri also provided a high level of automation control system and feeding monitoring system.

“I am proud of the outstanding success we have achieved in signing the FAC of Rugao BM 13 only 11 months after start-up,” says Rene Bauer, Project Manager at Voith Paper Heidenheim. “I am convinced that this was only possible due to the close and cooperative partnership between the two Voith teams and Asia Symbol.”

“The success of the Rugao BM 13 project stems from the strong, cooperative relationship between Voith and Asia Symbol teams,” says Xiaodong Gong, Senior Project Manager at Voith Paper China. “With timely, open communication and a focus on effective problem-solving, both sides worked pragmatically and professionally, creating a mutual understanding that has been key to smooth project advancement and ongoing optimization.”