Voith and Wuzhou Special Paper Launch the World’s Largest Specialty Paper Machine in China, Strengthening Long-Term Industry Collaboration

First jumbo roll of Hanchuan PM 21

(IN BRIEF) Voith and Wuzhou Special Paper have commissioned the world’s widest specialty paper machine, the PM 21, in Hanchuan, Hubei Province, marking a milestone in their ongoing collaboration. Entirely engineered and supplied by Voith, PM 21 boasts a working width of 8.1 meters and produces about 300,000 tons of lightweight glassine base paper annually. Incorporating technologies like the MasterJet Pro F headbox, DuoFormer D II, and NipcoFlex shoe press, the system ensures superior strength, low energy use, and uniform paper quality. The project highlights Voith’s global leadership as a full-line paper technology supplier and reinforces the partnership with Wuzhou Special Paper, which began in 2008. Both companies view the PM 21 as a springboard for continued innovation and industrial growth in China’s specialty paper market.

(PRESS RELEASE) HANCHUAN, China / HEIDENHEIM, 6-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In a significant advancement for the global specialty paper sector, Voith and Wuzhou Special Paper have successfully launched the new PM 21 machine in Hanchuan, Hubei Province. Entirely designed and delivered by Voith, the state-of-the-art machine is now recognized as the world’s widest for release paper production, featuring a remarkable working width of 8.1 meters. Capable of producing around 300,000 tons of specialty paper annually, PM 21 will focus primarily on lightweight glassine base paper with basis weights ranging between 35 and 120 g/m².

Release paper, a material often found in adhesive-backed products, must meet stringent performance criteria including tear resistance, transparency, tensile strength, and minimal absorbency. Once coated with silicone, the paper develops a smooth, non-stick surface that supports a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications.

The launch of PM 21 reinforces the long-standing alliance between Voith and Wuzhou Special Paper — a partnership that has spanned over a decade and included the modernization of seven machines since 2008. “PM 21 is the most outstanding result of our cooperation with Voith and reaffirms their position as a global technology leader,” said Zhao Lei, Chairman of Wuzhou Special Paper. “This facility will serve as the foundation for our future development and continued growth in the specialty paper market.”

Operating at speeds up to 1,400 meters per minute, PM 21 integrates several of Voith’s latest paper manufacturing technologies. The MasterJet Pro F headbox with ModuleJet control and the DuoFormer D II former provide precise sheet formation and consistent fiber alignment. To enhance efficiency and product quality, a tandem NipcoFlex shoe press equipped with a steam box boosts dryness, improves sheet density, and minimizes energy consumption — ensuring an ideal balance between strength and lightweight construction.

Further down the line, Voith’s SpeedSizer AT film press produces an exceptionally smooth surface while reducing silicone use, improving printability on the reverse side. Complementary systems such as MCB air dryers, ModulePro nozzle humidifiers, and the Sirius winding system with automated tension regulation ensure dimensional stability and prevent paper waviness during processing.

“The successful start-up of PM 21 represents another step in our mission to help Chinese paper manufacturers achieve world-class performance and quality,” said Kurt Yu, President of Voith Paper Asia. “By combining Voith’s technological expertise with Wuzhou’s operational excellence, we are driving innovation and sustainability in the specialty paper segment.”

The commissioning of PM 21 stands as a landmark in industrial paper production — not only expanding Wuzhou’s manufacturing capabilities but also exemplifying how strategic collaboration and advanced engineering can redefine efficiency and performance in the paper industry.

About the Voith Group

The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 22,000 employees, sales of € 5.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

About Voith Paper

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market and offers paper manufacturers holistic solutions from one source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.