Metso Paper supplies world's largest paper machine to Papierfabrik Palm

Published Jan 23, 2001 00.00.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper, Inc. (previously Valmet Corp.) will supply Papierfabrik Palm GmbH & Co. of Germany with the main equipment for a papermaking line valued at approx. EUR 110 million. The machine itself will be larger than any other papermaking machine ever produced. With its wire width of 11.0 meters (433 in.) and design speed of 1800 m/min (5,906 fpm), the machine will have an annual capacity of approx. 600,000 tons of testliner and corrugating medium grades in a basis weight range of 60 to 150 g/m2. The new production line will be the core of a new greenfield mill to be built at Wörth, close to Karlsruhe, Germany. Start-up is scheduled for early October 2002.

According to Dr. Wolfgang Palm, President and shareholder in the company, "We opted for Metso Paper because of their credibility and ability to deliver a machine and production line of such unprecedented dimensions. They have proven competence in supplying large, fast machines, with leading references in all paper grades including a major delivery to Germany. We are also very satisfied with the trials conducted using their pilot machines. As regards future support for this operation, we appreciate the services that are available through their operations in Pfungstadt, Germany and Cernay, France."

The Metso Paper delivery will consist of complete recycled fiber lines and stock preparation systems, the paper machine, two winders, and roll handling systems.

The complete 2000 tpd recycled fiber process lines, incorporating Metso Paper's latest recycled technology, will be among the largest in the world. The key sub-processes include pulping, detrashing, cleaning, screening, fractionation, thickening, dispersion, post-refining and engineering services. The fiber lines will include new innovative solutions, not to mention the world's largest Diva™ conical dispergers. The delivery will also include complete stock preparation systems with broke pulpers and approach system.

Papierfabrik Palm is one of Europe's most experienced users of recycled fiber and has handled it since 1872, when the company was established. Palm's choice for Valmet recycled fiber technology is a clear indication of their trust in Metso Paper's particular expertise in fiber and paper technologies.

The key sections of the paper machine are the OptiFormer For Container Board, incorporating two gap formers, an OptiPress with two SymBelt™ shoe presses, a SymRun dryer section, an OptiSizer film sizer and an OptiReel Plus, which has a maximum parent reel diameter of 4.3 m (169 in.) - the largest ever produced.

The two next generation belt-supported Valmet WinBelt L winders are fully automated. They are equipped with the Valmet Continuous Winding method, which enables the winder to perform completely automatically, provided that new parent reels are available. An automatic OptiCart parent reel cart feeds the two winders. Palm has previously opted for three WinBelt winders for their Aalen and Eltmann mills.

The delivery also includes an extensive, fully automatic roll handling system from the winders to and from the crane storage and further on to the harbor area.

Metso Drives will supply all mechanical drives for the paper machine, including dryer section DRG and VacRoll reducers.

The Palm Group consists of three paper mills and several converting and box plants. Prior to this project, the Group's annual capacity has been 750,000 tons of paper and more than 600 million m2 of corrugated board. In 2000 the Group had a turnover of DEM 1 billion and employed approx. 2,400 people.

Metso Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area, Metso Paper, is the world's leading supplier of technology, systems and equipment for the pulp, paper, converting and panelboard industries. In 1999, Metso Paper's net sales were EUR 1.7 billion and it employed 10,600 people.

Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems. In addition to Metso Paper, Metso's core businesses consist of Metso Minerals, the rock and mineral processing group and Metso Automation, for automation and control technology. In 1999, Metso Corporation had net sales of EUR 3.4 billion, and a personnel of approximately 23,000. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.

For more information: Mr. Bertel Karlstedt, President, Paper Making Lines, Metso Paper, Inc., tel. +358 20 482 5102