Metso Paper to supply a new wood handling system to SAPPI in Austria

Published Apr 16, 2003 11.35.00 +2 GMT

SAPPI Austria Productions GmbH & CO KG has ordered a new wood handling process from Metso Paper for their sulphite pulp mill in Gratkorn, Austria. The new system will replace the existing wood handling plant which has been in operation since 1978.

The contract was awarded to Metso Paper Pori Oy in Finland and the scope of supply comprises the process machinery ready erected, including training and start-up supervision. Start-up of the new plant is scheduled for December 2003.

The main machinery includes a GentleFeedTM wood feed system, EasyTyreTM barking drum, chipper feed system, Camura GSTM chipper, and chip screening system. The main objectives for the investment were to obtain higher chip quality for the pulping process with both lower operating costs and environmental impact. An example of lower operating costs is the new debarking drum which will replace the two existing parallel debarking lines and will also enable long wood debarking, thus eliminating the need for wood cutting prior to debarking.

Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems. The Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area, Metso Paper, is the world's leading supplier of technology, systems and equipment for the pulp and paper industries. Metso's other core businesses are divided between Metso Minerals (rock and mineral processing) and Metso Automation (automation and control technology). In 2002, the net sales of Metso Corporation were EUR 4.7 billion and the personnel totaled approximately 28,500. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.

More information: Pasi Mäkelä, VP Sales Metso Paper Pori Oy, Woodhandling, tel. +358 204 82 9718 Alpo Tuomi, VP Marketing Metso Paper Chemical Pulping Lines, tel. +358 204 82 9813