Paper Corea installs South Korea’s highest-capacity shoe press, boosting packaging paper output

SOUTH KOREA – Paper Corea Inc. has successfully commissioned a PrimePress X shoe press from international technology group ANDRITZ at its Gunsan mill, setting a national record for the highest line load ever applied in paper production.

The milestone positions the company to deliver stronger, more durable packaging paper while unlocking major gains in energy efficiency and machine performance.

The new system – featuring ANDRITZ’s high-efficiency PrimePress X shoe press, an integrated VIB SteamTech steam box, and advanced press section fabrics – is engineered to maximize dewatering and support higher machine speeds.

According to Paper Corea, the installation immediately delivered over 5% additional dryness, reducing steam consumption and enabling energy savings of up to 20%.

The press also improved the 2-sigma CD moisture profile by more than 30%, enhancing product consistency from edge to edge.

Company leaders praised the rapid, trouble-free start-up.

“This start-up is an important milestone for us. All performance guarantees were achieved shortly after, demonstrating the project’s full technical and operational success,” said Sungki Park, Vice Mill Manager at Paper Corea.

“ANDRITZ’s technology and support ensured a smooth process. We look forward to continued collaboration.”

Bruce Park, Country Manager of ANDRITZ South Korea, added, “This successful start-up reflects the strong partnership between Paper Corea and ANDRITZ. We are proud to deliver technologies that exceed expectations and support sustainable papermaking.”

The PrimePress X’s compact design also helped integrate the system seamlessly into the existing machine, reinforcing long-term reliability while minimizing downtime during installation.

The upgrade comes amid rising demand for lightweight, high-performance packaging grades across Asia.

South Korean mills in particular have accelerated investments in energy-saving and water-efficient technologies as manufacturers respond to tightening sustainability standards and expanding e-commerce packaging needs.

Globally, ANDRITZ has reported increased orders for advanced dewatering equipment, with recent installations in China, Indonesia and Turkey highlighting a broader industry shift toward press modernization to cut operational costs.

With its latest investment, Paper Corea strengthens its position as a leading domestic supplier of packaging paper, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and sustainable production.

The company continues to expand its portfolio of eco-friendly paper solutions, aligning with South Korea’s national push to reduce carbon emissions across resource-intensive industries.

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