Metso gets Algerian contract.

METSO GETS ALGERIAN CONTRACT. Metso Paper, Helsinki, Finland, will supply a tissue making line and de-inking equipment to SARL Ouate-Industries, part of the Tonic Emballage Group, Algeria, a newly established tissue producer. This is the first in Algeria. Value of the order is approximately EUR 36 million (US$ 45.4 million). Planned for an April 2005 startup, the tissue mill will produce 25,000 tons per year of facial tissue, napkins, toilet paper, towel, and MG paper. The raw material will be recycled fiber. The order will be managed by Metso Paper, Karlstad, Sweden, and supplied by Metso Automation, Bordeaux, France, and its Metso Paper units in Karlstad; Gorizia, Italy; and Valkeakoski; Finland.

In other Metso news: Metso Paper will rebuild the effluent-treatment plant at M-Real Kyro, Finland. M-real Kyro assumes responsibility to the local community for water pollution prevention. The project should complete in summer 2004.

Metso will also rebuild Stora Enso North America's paper machine at the Biron Mill, Wisconsin, USA. The modernized LWC production line will start up during the first quarter of 2005. The order has a value of EUR 23 million (US$ 29.2 million). Project delivery includes rebuilding the press and dryer sections, coating station, rereeler, supercalenders, and winder. It also includes a new reel and winder.

In December 2003, Metso Paper introduced a manufacturing line for screen baskets. Producing wedge-sire screen basket technology sold under the Nimax brand, the line is in Grastorp, Sweden. Nimax is currently undergoing market introduction. Nimax screen baskets can increase production and improve pulp quality.