Metso Paper.

Metso Paper, Jyvaskyla, Finland, will supply Gaspesia Papers LP with a major rebuild for its on-line printing and writing super-calendered coated paper line located in its mill in Chandler, Quebec, Canada. The order includes a package of Metso Paper equipment for highly bleached pulp production, stock preparation, papermaking, and finishing, as well as a range of Metso Automation systems. The Gaspesia Papers LP was formed after the Fonds de Solidarite des travailleurs du Quebec (FTQ) purchased the Chandler facility from Abitibi-Consolidated two years ago with plans to modernize the mill. PM 1 has a wire width of 6.8 m. It was originally installed in 1967 and rebuilt by Valmet in the late 1980s. Following this latest rebuild, which will be completed by mid-2004, the machine will be capable of producing high-quality coated paper, using bleached pulp, in the basis weight range of 6080 g/[m.sup.2]. After the modernization, maximum machine speed will be 1350 m/min.

In other Metso news:

The company and M-real Corp. have signed an operating agreement covering the annual maintenance and performance development of three paper production lines. The agreement draws upon the Future Care business concept and covers separately defined process and condition tests to be carried out on two paper machines at M-real's Kangas mill and on one machine at the Aanekoski mill. Preventive maintenance programs are also included.

Metso also started up the first OptiFeed[TM] wet-end systems at M-real Kyro PM 3, Kyroskoski ,Finland, and Oji Paper's Kanzan PM 6, Duren, Germany. M-real Kyro started up during the spring of 2002. The Kyro mill uses an OptiAir[TM] Vac system to handle white-water deaeration and the dilution and mixing of whitewater. The process is carried out in two stages, with LobeMix[TM] mixers in the approach system. PM 3 is the world's largest wallpaper producer, with a design speed of 1000 m/min. and basis weights zanging from 80 g/[m.sup.2] to 165 g/[m.sup.2]. Metso's total delivery included an approach system, a new OptiFlo[TM] D dilution headbox, an MB hybrid forming unit and an OptiCoater[TM] coating section combined with a new DNA automation system. The rebuild also included a new centricleaner plant and several OptiScreen[TM] traits for both stock and dilution-water screening.

The second OptiFeed start-up took place at Kanzan Spezialpapiere GmbH, which produces special papers (thermal and ink-jet papers) with one paper machine. The rebuild's goal was to enhance production flexibility and to increase production speed up to 800 m/min. Metso Paper's delivery included OptiFeed stock preparation and approach system, new SymFlo[TM] D dilution headbox, SymFormer[TM] MB hybrid forming unit, press section rebuild with shoe press and modifications to the drying section.