Dalian Ruiguang partners with ANDRITZ for eco-friendly flushable wipes line

ANDRITZ will supply an industrial production line to Dalian Ruiguang to scale the manufacturing of flushable, pulp-based hygiene substrates. The system integrates wetlaid and hydroentanglement technologies to produce biodegradable roll goods that meet international dispersibility standards.

Industrial challenge and strategic cooperation
The expanding market for hygiene products requires nonwoven substrates that balance mechanical tensile strength during use with rapid structural dispersion upon disposal. Traditional synthetic fibers resist degradation, leading to mechanical blockages in municipal wastewater systems. To address this operational challenge, Dalian Ruiguang is expanding its digital infrastructure and manufacturing capacity. The company required an engineered solution capable of processing natural raw materials at high volumes while maintaining strict compliance with evolving international regulatory frameworks.

Technical solution and process architecture
The supplied Wetlace system combines wetlaid pulp processing with carding and hydroentanglement mechanisms. This composite technology binds wood pulp and short biodegradable fibers without chemical binders. The technical process relies on precise hydraulic needle entanglement to achieve the mechanical integrity required for roll goods.

The system architecture supports high flexibility regarding raw material composition and basis weights. This adaptability allows the production line to maintain process stability while shifting between different fiber blends. The resulting nonwoven fabrics comply with the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG) standards and the Japanese flushing specification (JIS P 4501), ensuring rapid breakdown within sewage infrastructure.

Division of responsibilities and system integration
ANDRITZ is responsible for the engineering, manufacturing, and delivery of the core process machinery, leveraging its specialized knowledge in wetlaid composite technologies. Dalian Ruiguang manages the localized infrastructure integration and operational deployment, drawing on its established manufacturing experience. This division of roles ensures that the new machinery integrates into the existing plant layout and aligns with the facility's current digital infrastructure and automation protocols.

Deployment and expected operational capacity
The production line is scheduled for commissioning and operational start-up by the end of 2026. This installation represents the third Wetlace system deployed at the Dalian Ruiguang facility since 2014, complementing three existing parallel, semi-crosslapped spunlace lines previously delivered by the same supplier. Once fully operational, the new line will increase the total annual production capacity of the facility to 40,000 tons. This scaling provides the process stability and throughput necessary to meet the technical demands of the sustainable industrial automation sector.

Strategic engineering rationale
"The new Wetlace line is a key step in our growth strategy," states Gu Dong Zhao, Vice President of Dalian Ruiguang. "Dalian Ruiguang’s decades-long experience in flushable product innovation and production line upgrades, coupled with ANDRITZ’s proven engineering and manufacturing expertise as well as strong local execution and support, gives us confidence in the fast implementation of this project and reliable long-term operation."

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

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