Ilim Group has signed a contract with Voith, German machine building company, to supply a XcelLIne paper machine.
The machine will be started by the end of 2021 at the new pulp and paperboard mill in Ust-Ilimsk, which is the key project of Ilim’s large-scale investment program aimed to increase production capacities in Siberia and continue business expansion in the growing Chinese market, where Ilim has been operating for more that 23 years.
With an annual output of 600 thousand tons, this KLB machine, custom designed by Voith for Ilim Group, will be the largest in the world in terms of capacity. Its maximum capacity will be 2,150 tons per day. Paper web width on the winder will be 9,400 mm. The machine will produce kraftliner with a basis weight ranging from 80.0 to 175.0 gsm.
In accordance with Ilim’s digitalization strategy, a special focus was placed on high-tech KLB-machine equipment. Voith will equip the machine with in-house designed OnControl system, which will ensure full access to process control and data mining. The KLB machine will be equipped with Quality Scanners and Sensors and Web Break Analysis cameras, which allow to monitor and record web breaks on-line and data storage (including images) for further analysis. The machine will also include two separate BlueLine refining lines for SW and HW pulp. These lines will ensure strict pulp stock composition compliance, which in turn will allow to achieve the highest product quality level.
All equipment and systems of the KLB machine will enable optimized production process and operational efficiency. The equipment will be delivered to Ust-Ilimsk as preassembled Mill Installation Units. The heaviest element of the KLB machine
Nipco-P center rider roll, will weigh 79 tons.
“Ilim sees its leadership role not only as the largest pulp and paper product manufacturer, but also as an investor into state-of-the-art innovative technologies. This investment decision was based on impressive results demonstrated by Ilim Group in the Asian market. We know this market well and see its opportunities. The contract we have signed is one of the largest contracts in the history of the Russian pulp and paper industry. Voith Paper, a leading manufacturer of paper and board machines with the highest level of automation and digitalization, has become our partner under this project. Our project will be one of the most advanced high-tech projects in the global pulp and paper industry, and will provide the Asian market with the volumes of high quality products that the market needs.
“Voith is partnering with Ilim Group in this historical and outstanding project. It will become a milestone for the Russian Pulp & Paper Industry and we are proud to contribute with our large experience and latest innovations”, says Christoph Müller-Mederer, President Projects EMEA at Voith Paper.
The annual production output of Ilim Group exceeds 3.4 million tons of pulp and paper products, which are supplied to more than 70 countries worldwide. Its strategic focus area is the growing Asian market. Over 40% of the Company’s output goes to the Chinese market. By 2023, Ilim Group will increase its exports to China by 60% as a result of the large scale investment program. Ilim’s investment program worth USD 3 billion covers a period through 2021. As a result, the total annual capacity of Ilim’s mills will reach 4.4 million tons of pulp and paper products.
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