Ningbo Xiaogang machine up and running.

NINGBO XIAOGANG MACHINE UP AND RUNNING. Metso Paper, Helsinki, Finland announced the installation of the world's largest carton board machine, the Number 1 Paper Machine at Ningbo Xiaogang, Xiaogang, Ningbo, China, which started up in November 2004 and is exceeding quality and production targets. The new line produces 700,000 metric tons/yr of white lined chipboard (WLC) with a basis weight range of 250 to 450 g/[m.sup.2]. The five-ply board line has a trim width of 8.1 meters and a design speed of 900 meters/minute. The machine is a greenfield boardmaking line delivered by Metso Paper.

IN OTHER METSO NEWS: Metso Automation has received orders additional to the extensive total automation and field solutions orders for delivery to UPM (Changshu) Paper Industry Co. Ltd., China. The orders are for two IQInsight full-sheet moisture measurement solutions. Based on earlier experience in its other mills, UPM decided to order Metso's IQInsight to Changshu mill's modernized Paper Machine Number 2, and to the new Number 1 Paper Machine currently being built by Metso Paper.

Metso has finalized an agreement to sell its production operations in Karhula to Mesera Works Oy, Finland. According to the agreement, 105 workers transferred as existing employees to Mesera Works on January 1, 2005. Metso Paper has concluded an agreement with Etteplan Oyj, Finland whereby six Karhula employees involved in the mechanical development of headboxes will transfer to Ettplan as existing employees. Metso Paper will continue in Karhula with operations relating to paper machine renewals and process improvements.

Myllykoski Group, Helsinki, Finland has contracted Metso Paper to deliver equipment for groundwood pulp and paper making processes to Myllykoski's paper mills in Germany, Finland, and the United States. Several of Metso's Finnish units will work with those in Sundsvall, Sweden and Atlanta, Georgia, USA to participate in the deliveries. The total value of the orders will amount to close to EUR 40 million (US$ 54 million). Included are the following projects:

* A rebuild of Paper Machine Number 11, which produces light weight coated magazine papers, at MD Plattling in Bavaria, Germany and is scheduled for December 2005 startup.

* Metso Paper will deliver the main equipment of a peroxide bleaching plant for Paper Machines Number 6 and 7 Myllykoski Paper's Anjalankoski Mill, Finland. In addition to the main equipment, the order includes preparation of the bleaching chemicals as well as Metso Automation's process control system with necessary field instruments. The plant will be ready for production in early 2006.

* At Madison Paper Industries, Madison, Maine, USA, Metso Paper will expand the mill's pressure groundwood plant, including a new grinder, and update and extend Metso Automation's process control system. Project delivery will be in October 2005.

The Wanda PM 1 kraft linerboard machine, ordered by Shenzhen Wanda Color Printing and Packing Co., Ltd. and delivered by Valmet-Xian Paper Machinery Co. Ltd. successfully came on stream in Jiangsu on 1 st October, 2004. Valmet-Xian Paper Machinery Co., Ltd. is a joint venture of Metso Paper. The medium-sized kraft linerboard paper machine wholly manufactured by Valmet-Xian has a maximum operating speed of 520 meters/min, and is running at 450 meters/min. It has a wire width of 4950 mm and its basis weight ranges between 125-280 gsm. Daily production is 415 metric tons.

Metso Minerals will supply a complete raw materials handling system to Cia. Siderurgica de Tubarao (CST), in Espirito Santo, Brazil. The value of the order is approximately EUR 26 million (US$ 34.5 million). The delivery will be completed in June 2006.