Century Sunshine, Valmet build Rizhao pulp mill, 2.65M tonnes output

Century Sunshine's New Rizhao Pulp Mill

Century Sunshine is constructing a new pulp mill in Rizhao, Shandong province, China, with operations scheduled to begin in June 2028. Valmet, a technology provider, is supplying key equipment for the facility.

This project forms a central part of Century Sunshine's long-term "Paper-for-Plastic" investment strategy, which aims to increase annual paper production by 2.65 million tonnes. The company states this initiative seeks to substitute plastic products with various paper-based alternatives for the Chinese market.

Jeff Cheng, Vice President at Century Sunshine, noted the project's importance for enhancing raw material self-sufficiency and meeting evolving customer demands.

Mill Capacity and Technology Investment

The new Rizhao mill is engineered for substantial pulp output, with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tonnes for either hardwood or softwood pulp, alongside an additional 400,000 tonnes specifically for softwood pulp.

Valmet's delivery package includes cooking and fiber lines, an evaporation plant, a recovery boiler equipped with optimizers, ash treatment systems, and a white liquor plant. This order, which exceeds EUR100 million in value, was recorded in Valmet's orders received during the second quarter of 2026.

Andreas Michalik, Valmet's Vice President for Pulp Mills, highlighted that the new facility will produce fluff, dissolving, softwood, and hardwood pulp, demonstrating product differentiation to meet diverse market requirements.

Advanced Production Features

The mill incorporates advanced pulp production technologies, including the latest cooking processes and a high-power recovery boiler designed with optimization and safety features. An electrostatic precipitator is also part of the system, intended for effective reduction of dust emissions.

Century Sunshine's "Paper-for-Plastic" program reflects a broader industry trend towards sustainable material alternatives. The new mill's diverse pulp production capabilities, including fluff and dissolving pulps, position it to serve a range of applications beyond traditional paper, supporting the transition away from plastic-based goods.

Implications for Asia's Paper-Based Materials

The significant increase in paper production capacity from Century Sunshine's Rizhao mill, targeting 2.65 million tonnes annually, signals a growing supply of paper-based products for the Asian market by June 2028. This expansion supports the regional push for alternatives to plastics in packaging and other applications.

Procurement teams and specifiers in Asia should anticipate a broader availability of diverse paper and pulp types, potentially impacting sourcing strategies and material costs for products ranging from interior finishes to FF&E components that utilize paperboard or cellulose-based materials. Manufacturers of such products in China and across Asia may find improved local supply for their raw material needs.