Sun Paper selects Kadant for massive 1600 BDMT OCC line in southern China

The expansion of packaging grades in southern China shows no signs of slowing down as we move through the second half of 2026. Sun Paper, one of the industry's most aggressive players in capacity growth, has officially awarded Kadant Fiberline (China) Co., Ltd. the contract to supply the Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) system for its upcoming PM21 project in Guangxi.

Scheduled to come online in 2027, the new line will process a staggering 1,600 Bone Dry Metric Tons (BDMT) per day. But beyond the sheer volume, the technical specifications of this order reveal a clear shift in how modern mills are approaching operational expenditure and sustainability in their stock preparation departments.

The permanent magnet advantage

The standout feature of the PM21 OCC system is its integration of full-line permanent magnet motor technology. In the heavy-duty environment of recycled fiber processing, energy consumption is a critical metric. Traditional induction motors, while reliable, often suffer from efficiency drops at partial loads. Permanent magnet motors maintain high efficiency across a broader operating range, directly translating to lower electricity consumption per ton of processed fiber.

For a system handling 1,600 BDMT daily, even a single-digit percentage improvement in energy efficiency yields massive annual savings. This technological choice underscores Sun Paper’s strategy of scaling up capacity while aggressively driving down the carbon footprint and operational costs of its recycled containerboard production.

Tackling modern furnish challenges

Processing Old Corrugated Containers is inherently challenging due to the increasing presence of waxes, plastics, and mixed materials in the global recovered paper stream. A high-capacity system like the PM21 must balance aggressive contaminant removal with maximum fiber yield. Kadant’s fiber processing technologies are specifically engineered to address these modern furnish challenges, ensuring high-quality stock that protects the downstream paper machine and guarantees the strength properties of the final board.

As a global supplier with approximately 4,000 employees across 22 countries, Kadant Inc. continues to leverage its specialized expertise in fluid handling and stock preparation to capture major capital projects in Asia. The company's focus on Sustainable Industrial Processing aligns perfectly with the current demands of top-tier paper producers.

Three decades of strategic alignment

The partnership between Kadant and Sun Paper is not new, but it is deepening. Peter Ma, vice president of sales and marketing at Kadant Fiberline China, highlighted that this project builds on thirty years of close strategic cooperation. "This project reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality fiber processing solutions for Sun Paper’s continued growth in southern China," Ma noted following the announcement.

Sun Paper’s Guangxi facility is rapidly becoming one of the most advanced integrated pulp and paper hubs globally. The PM21 project is part of a broader capacity expansion that includes advanced screening, refining, and approach-flow systems. By selecting top-tier suppliers for each critical phase of the stock preparation and paper machine approach, Sun Paper is minimizing startup risks for its 2027 launch window.

The integration of permanent magnet motors across an entire OCC line is a brilliant move that sets a new benchmark for energy-efficient fiber recovery, proving that sustainability and heavy industrial output can go hand in hand. Will this full-line motor technology become the mandatory standard for all future mega-mills, or will capital expenditure constraints keep it as a premium option for top-tier producers only? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai