International technology Group Andritz has received an order from Shandong Huatai Paper Industry Shareholding to upgrade an existing BCTMP (bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp) plant to become the world's largest mechanical pulping line for P&W (Printing & Writing) paper production at the mill in Dongying, Shandong province, China. Start-up is scheduled for the 4Q 2022.

The existing BCTMP line will be upgraded and rebuilt to become a state-of-the-art P-RC APMP- (Pre-Conditioning Refiner Chemical Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulp) system. The fiberline's production capacity for mechanical pulp to make P&W paper grades will thus be increased from 100,000 to at least 300,000 admt/a, making it the largest in the world.

Andritz will rebuild two existing high-consistency (HC) refiners as well as the existing screw presses, disc filters and screens, and supply new equipment for all other process steps.

The upgraded mechanical pulping line will process a mixture of eucalyptus, poplar and acacia wood chips. The scope of supply also includes the basic engineering as well as the supervision of mechanical installation, commissioning and start-up.

Shandong Huatai Paper Industry Shareholding is the world's largest producer of newsprint and the largest producer in the chlorine-alkali industry in China.