HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Metso Paper will supply an uncoated fine paper production line to Portucel Group. The new line will be located in the group's Setubal mill in Portugal. The start-up of the production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2009. The value of the order is not disclosed. The market value of these types of fine paper production lines is approx. EUR 150 - 200 million, depending on the scope of delivery.
Metso's delivery will include a complete OptiConcept paper machine line from headbox to roll handling, with related air systems and some stock preparation equipment. The paper machine, which will have a wire width of 11.1 m, will produce close to 500,000 tonnes of uncoated fine papers annually. Metso Automation will supply an extensive automation package, which includes machine controls with runnability and condition monitoring systems.
The Portucel Group, with a net sales of approximately EUR 1.1 billion, has three mills producing pulp and paper, situated at Setubal, Figueira da Foz and Cacia. The Setubal mill currently houses three uncoated woodfree paper machines with a total capacity of 275,000 t/a and a 500,000 t/a bleached eucalyptus pulp mill. The new machine will boost Portucel's total uncoated fine paper capacity to over 1.5 million t/a.
Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2006 net sales of approximately EUR 5 billion. Its more than 26,000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries. www.metso.com
Metso Corporation
Olli Vaartimo, Executive Vice President and CFO
Kati Renvall Vice President, Corporate Communications
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