Fine paper at 1,700 m/min: UPM Changshu's Metso Paper -supplied PM 1 makes history

Published June 14, 2006 12.00.00 +2 GMT

The Metso Paper -supplied PM 1 OptiConcept fine paper machine at UPM's Changshu, China mill has set a historical record in papermaking. On 3 June the 10.4-m-wide PM 1 became the first fine paper machine in the world to run at 1,700 m/min (5,577 ft/min), which is a new world record for fine paper. Thus the machine also became the first fine paper machine to break the 100 km/h mark in a 24-hour run (102 km/h).

During the record run the machine produced 70 g/m2 copy paper. "The record was run during normal production", said Stephen Masterson, PM 1 Unit Director. "There were no wet end breaks, so runnability was really good. Machine speed was kept at 1,700 m/min the whole weekend", he added.

The previous world speed record for fine paper production was the 1,654 m/min achieved with the same machine on 25-26 April 2006. PM 1 was initially started up in May 2005.

The record-breaking machine, which is the world's largest and fastest unit for uncoated fine paper, has a wire width of 10.4 m and a design speed of 2,000 m/min. With an annual capacity of 450,000 tonnes, it produces uncoated fine paper in a basis weight range of 60- 120 g/m2.

In addition to the paper machine, the Metso delivery included air systems and winders. Metso Automation supplied an extensive automation and field systems package to the production line.

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2005 net sales of approximately EUR 4.2 billion. Its 22 000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries. www.metso.com

For further information, please contact: Jari Peuhkuri Senior Paper Technology Manager Paper and Board Business Line Tel. +358 40 580 2362, +86 1350 623 7136 E-mail: jari.peuhkuri@metso.com