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Glassine paper: Five Star’s clear advantage

uzhou Special Paper’s new facil- is glassine, a very thin, usually translucent, The Zhao family’s Five Star Group’s Wuzhou Special Paper launched an initial success has ity in Quzhou (Zhejiang Province) paper used in food services, packaging, largely been built 80,000 t/a specialty line in the fall of 2012 with glassine in China is located near its sister and other specialty products. In addition, around cup stock paper as the flagship product. ANDRITZ’s pioneering W and packaging company, Wu Xing Paper, which operates the machine produces a limited amount of grades. In 2010, the ShortFlow deaeration system, the first in China, aids three machines producing specialty prod- wallpaper base stock and blueprint grades. family made a bold decision to pioneer ucts from cup stock to packaging grades. the mill in producing this glass-like sheet. It also again with domestic Now producing over 320,000 t/a, the Zhao “Our specialties focus, with a range of prod- production of provides the flexibility required for frequent grade glassine. Zhao Yunfu, family, owner of both mills, continues to ucts and frequent grade changes, made President of the Five changes while consuming less energy and chemicals. develop as a homegrown specialty paper us an ideal candidate for the ANDRITZ Star Group (left), and his son-in-law, producer. ShortFlow deaeration system,” says Zhao Zhao Lei, General Lei, General Manager of both Wuzhou Manager, are holding samples of their new Zhao Lei, General Since launching their paper enterprise in Special Paper and Wu Xing Paper. “Flexibility Manager of Wuzhou glassine paper. At Specialty Paper (left), with 2002, the Zhao family has looked for mar- in meeting customer requirements is one of center the happy, prosperous Buddha Wu Xiaoyan, Marketing ket opportunities where growth is strong, our core goals. The compact, multi-tasking Specialist with ANDRITZ made of yew wood. China, in front of the and imported products are high. They cap- ShortFlow system helps us switch from one ANDRITZ ShortFlow tured a formidable share of the cup stock grade to another very quickly. This way we dearation system. At this mill, extreme grade business, including self-serve containers can respond fast and efficiently to a wide changes from glassine of noodle dishes found at railway stations, range of customers.” to wallpaper base stock Because we have invested in the and blueprint grades hap- small shops, and supermarkets throughout pen fast. The ANDRITZ China. The ShortFlow difference best technology, we can modify ShortFlow deaeration technology provides this Complete deaeration of stock and wire our products according to customer flexibility. More recently, the family decided to delve water is standard practice on high-speed specications.” deeper into specialty grades: this time by paper machines, particularly those pro- producing low basis weight glassine grades ducing printing and writing grades. Air Zhao Yunfu President – with the flexibility to switch to higher weight removal, at least partially, has become in- Five Star Group specialties on short notice. So, the flagship creasingly important for other grades as product of the Wuzhou Special Paper mill well. 24 Five Star Group-Wuzhou Special Paper Five Star Group-Wuzhou Special Paper 25

We see a window of opportunity in China for glassine grades. Many of our customers now use glassine products inside of their packaging.” Papillon stock Zhao Chenjia, Finance Leader prep refiners reduce Five Star Group energy costs and gently treat the fiber to ensure desired properties in the sheet.

Even though the Five Star Group began only a decade ago, their Wu Xing operation is A complete paper machine approach system from ANDRITZ is also in Headquartered in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, Five Star’s Wuzhou already a leading producer of cup stock. Shown are Zhao Lei, General Manager (left), with his place. A ModuScreen headbox screen plays an important role in deliver- Special Paper and Wu Xing Paper are located near their customer base. wife Zhao Chenjia, Finance Leader. ing stock to the new machine.

“There are many applications where com- condenser is required. Deaeration perfor- use our products inside their packaging ity to slow the passage of air. Brand lead- grade changes and less transitional paper blending system, machine screens, broke plete deaeration is not essential, such as mance can be easily adjusted to match the packages.” ers of cookies and snacks like us for these or broke, less defoaming chemicals and handling, and stock refiners. specialty and packaging grades,” says requirements of the paper machine and the reasons.” biocides are required. Energy consumption Ari Pelkiö, Chief Technology Manager for grade being produced. This fast penetration in the domestic mar- goes down, too. These are all benefits that Look for more pioneering and growth stock preparation and machine approach ket is a direct result of Five Star Group’s Short response every papermaker wants.” Looking forward to growth in glassine paper systems at ANDRITZ. “However, removal According to Jiang Weiqiang, for Fiber success in the pressure sensitive label “Critical to our ability to be competitive is sales, as well as the production of addition- of air and entrained gases in the wire water Preparation, ANDRITZ China, “The ShortFlow market. Five Star supplies this label stock quick grade changes,” says Zhao Lei. “This While Pelkiö is quick to point out that the al cup stock capacity at the mill, Wuzhou offers big benefits even for these grades. deaeration solution at Wuzhou Special to factories in China and elsewhere. “Our is challenging because our basis weights ShortFlow technology is not suitable for Special Paper is already considering instal- The ShortFlow deaeration system is an Paper simplified their ability to produce high customers have learned to expect consis- range from 30 to 80 gsm, and sometimes applications that require complete de- lation of a second machine. advanced solution for partial air removal, quality paper with minimal energy consump- tent high quality, and appreciate our ability even higher. The ShortFlow deaeration aeration (for example printing and writ- combining the functions of the white wa- tion. And, with small tank volumes. The sys- to meet their needs for short runs,” Zhao system is a principal reason for our good ing grades on large, fast machines), it is “Since we are a family, we are able to make ter silo and deaeration into one compact tem itself is compact with a small footprint. Yunfu says. “Because we have invested sheet formation no matter what the grade, beneficial for grades where partial de- important decisions quickly,” says Zhao Lei. unit.” It does not require a special mezzanine. in the best technology from stock prepa- and the flexibility we have in making quick aeration is sufficient, such as specialties “We are all in this business together, so we Only short piping runs are needed because ration through supercalendering, we can changes.” and packaging. “For Wuzhou’s machine share the credit when it’s deserved, and we The patented ShortFlow deaeration system this compact unit is placed next to the wet modify our products according to customer running at about 750 m/min and produc- accept responsibility when we don’t meet collects water from the wire and former in end.” specifications.” Being smaller and simpler by design means ing these specialty grades, it is a perfect goals. a deaeration tank, where a vacuum is ap- less flow volume, which contributes to sim- match at a much lower investment,” he plied. Water from the machine is transferred Clear potential “We see a window of opportunity in China plified operation. That is the essence of the says. “Two generations give us another advan- to the deaeration tank through transition Zhao Yunfu, President of the Five Star for glassine grades,” adds Zhao Chenjia, ShortFlow deaeration technology according tage,” concludes Zhao Yunfu. “Perhaps you pipes and enters the tank through a vacuum Group, says, “China consumes more than Finance Leader, who is the wife of Zhao Lei to Ari Pelkiö, Chief Technology Manager for Another factor in the success at Wuzhou will see even a third generation at Five Star space above the liquid in order to prevent air 100,000 tonnes of glassine paper annually, and daughter of Zhao Yunfu. “In addition to stock preparation and machine approach Special Paper is clean pulp, achieved a few years from now.” submergence. Unlike a traditional deaera- but only 50% is made domestically. We our labels, many customers can now use systems at ANDRITZ. “The smaller vol- with the stock preparation system from tor, such as the ANDRITZ Deculator, boil- have already secured a large contract with our glassine products inside of their pack- ume of deaerated water represents a huge ANDRITZ. In addition to delivering the ing point vacuum is not required. A single a leading label producer, and have locked aging. Food products especially benefit simplification compared to conventional ShortFlow deaeration system, ANDRITZ CONTACT Fiber Preparation Systems vacuum pump system is sufficient and no in business with various food brands which from glassine’s grease resistance and abil- systems,” he says. “In addition to faster provided thick stock screening, a stock [email protected]