Metso to supply Chinese linerboard mill.

METSO TO SUPPLY CHINESE LINER-BOARD MILL Metso Paper to supply Chinese linerboard machine. Metso Paper Inc. will supply--together with Metso Paper China--a linerboard machine to Zhejiang Jingxing Paper Joint Stock Co. Ltd., Pinghu, China. The machine, which will have an annual capacity of 300,000 metric tons, is to come on stream in the city of Pinghu, in Zhejiang province in 2007. The order contains a complete three-ply linerboard machine, including among other things a dilution headbox and a shoe press, as well as a calender, with corresponding services. The new PM 12 will have a wire width of 6,150 mm and a design speed of 1,100 m/min. It will produce linerboard in the range of 125-250 g/m2. In 2003 Zhejiang Jingxing Paper established a joint venture agreement with Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. for producing corrugating medium in Zhejiang.

IN OTHER METSO NEWS:

* Metso Paper will supply ITC Limited Paperboards & Specialty Papers Division in India with a rebuild of their Bhadrachalam mill PM 4 board machine, in Andhra Pradesh state. The project, which will improve end-product quality and process performance, will be ready in spring 2007. The value of this type of delivery typically ranges from EUR 5 to 10 million. The modernization of the Metso-supplied PM 4 consists of two new SymFlo headboxes (one with dilution control) and upgrades to its forming, press and coating sections. These improvements will enable ITC to serve the brand and consumer-packaging industry with higher product quality, thus enhancing the performance of converting processes, as well as end-product printability properties. PM 4 produces cigarette board, folding box board and solid bleached sulphate grades. Started up in 1997, the machine has a wire width of 4.2 m and a design speed of 600 m/min.

* Metso Paper has been selected to supply a new pulping line for the Brazilian dissolving pulp producer Bahia Pulp. The company is investing US$ 375 million to triple its dissolving pulp production capacity from the current 115,000 metric tons to 365,000 metric tons/yr. The new fiber line is scheduled to start up during the third quarter of 2007. The typical value of this type of fiber lines ranges from EUR 50 to EUR 100 million, depending of the scope of delivery and the production capacity. The scope of Metso Paper's supply covers a complete new line from cooking up to ready reeled or baled pulp. Bahia Pulp has 150,000 hectares of its own land for sustainable eucalyptus plantations serving its production of bleached dissolving pulp based on eucalyptus urophylla as the raw material. Upon completion of the expansion, Bahia Pulp will be able to produce standard-grade dissolving pulp as well as specialty pulp for high-end market segments. These include acetate pulps and pulps used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.

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* Metso Panelboard will supply equipment for Sonae Novobord's new particleboard line in White River, South Africa. The new line is scheduled for start up in early 2007. The value of the order is approximately EUR 13.5 million.