METSO TO SUPPLY A PAPER FINISHING LINE AND A MAJOR MODERNISATION TO MODO PAPER

Metso Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area, Valmet, has received an order from Modo Paper AB to deliver an extensive paper finishing line for double-coated fine paper and a major paper machine modernization to Modo's Husum mill in Sweden. The value of entire Husum mill modernization project totals approximately SEK 2 billion, of which the Metso order makes up almost half.

The paper finishing line consists of a coating machine and several other paper finishing units, for example a multi-roll calender, two rereelers and a winder. The annual capacity of the new production line, to be started up in April 2001, will be 300,000 tons of coated fine paper.

The modernization of the mill's PM 8 paper machine includes a headbox, modernization of the forming section and the rebuilds of press section and dryer section. The speed of the PM, which has a wire width of 7,300 mm, will be upgraded to 1,500 m/min.

The deliveries will be handled mainly by Valmet's units in Järvenpää and Jyväskylä, Finland.

Modo Paper AB is the third largest fine paper producer in Europe. Its product lines include coated and uncoated office papers, art papers and wrapping papers. Net sales of the company was approximately SEK 19 billion and personnel totaled approximately 6,500. Last year, the Husum mill produced a total of 525,000 tons of office and wrapping papers and 660,000 tons of pulp. The mill, employing 1,270 people, is located on the east coast of Sweden, 600 km north of Stockholm.

Metso Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area Valmet is a world leading supplier of technologies, systems and equipment for the pulp, paper, converting and panelboard industries. In 1998, the business area's pro forma net sales totaled EUR 1.9 billion (FIM 11.6 billion) in 1998 and it had about 10,900 employees.

Metso Corporation was created through the merger of Rauma and Valmet Corporation on July 1, 1999. Metso's business areas are fiber and paper technology, automation and control technology and machinery. The pro forma net sales of Metso Corporation was EUR 3.7 billion (FIM 22 billion) in 1998 and personnel totaled approximately 23,000. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki Exchanges and New York Stock Exchange.