Metso Paper opens new paper machine works in Shanghai

Published Dec 8, 2006 10.00.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper has opened a new paper machine production facility in China. The inauguration ceremony of Metso Paper Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was arranged in Jiading, Shanghai on Friday, 8 December.

China’s paper industry is growing strongly. Since the year 2000, about half of the world's orders for new, big paper manufacturing lines have come from China. The new Shanghai production facility creates new possibilities for Metso Paper to further strengthen their customer service, servicing, manufacturing, and sourcing operations.

The Shanghai unit, acquired by Metso on 31 August 2006, comprises a modern workshop, a foundry and a design department. In the first phase the unit will concentrate on manufacturing paper and board machine sections mainly for Metso Paper's delivery projects in China. The unit can also supply components for deliveries outside China. Headed by Managing Director Jukka Kyttälä, the works employs some 450 people.

Metso Paper has a long history in China. The company's predecessors made their first deliveries to the country already in the 1930s, and the first paper machine was supplied in the People's Republic of China in 1956, to Guangzhou Paper. Since then, Metso Paper has supplied dozens of paper and board machines to China. More than 30 % of the new paper and board production capacity built in China since 2000 is based on Metso technology. In addition, Metso has made hundreds of deliveries to the local pulping industry, including mechanical, chemical and annual fiber processing technologies. Currently Metso Paper has production and customer service operations at six locations in China. Total number of personnel is close to 1,800, including the Valmet-Xian joint venture.

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: Jukka Kyttälä Managing Director, Metso Paper Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Tel. + 86 137 8898 2230, +358 40 709 6087 jukka.kyttala@metso.com