Metso Paper to supply a third tissue machine to Nuqul Group

Published May 31, 2006 13.00.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper will supply a complete Advantage DCT 200 tissue machine to Nuqul Group in Jordan. The machine will be installed in the corporation's new Al Snobar mill in Amman, Jordan, and it is scheduled to start production during the fourth quarter of 2007. The market value of these types of tissue production lines ranges from EUR 15 million to 20 million, depending on the scope of delivery and production output. The total project investment made by Nuqul Group is approximately EUR 70 million.

Metso's delivery will comprise a complete tissue machine, including an Advantage AirCap and ventilation equipment, an OptiFlo II TIS multilayering headbox, as well as Advantage Run sheet transfer and stabilizing technology and an Advantage GluTurn-Up system.

With a width of 5.5 m and an operating speed of 2,000 m/min, the new machine will add another 54,000 tons a year of high-quality facial, toilet and towel grades to Nuqul Group's total production capacity. The raw material for the new machine will be virgin pulp.

The tissue consumption in the Middle East has been growing by 25 % during the past five years. Though the per capita consumption is low compared to Europe, with the population base of 220 million the potential for growth is large.

The Nuqul Group, with headquarters in Amman, Jordan, is the leading tissue producer of the Middle East and North Africa, operating three paper mills, Al Keena in Jordan as well as Al Bardi and Al Sindian in Egypt. Metso Paper has earlier delivered two tissue machines to Nuqul Group: one to the Al Bardi mill in 1991 and another of the same model and size as this new one to Al Sindian in 2004.

Established in 1952, Nuqul Group brings together 28 regional and global companies with over 5,500 employees, and exports its products to more than 45 countries worldwide.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Marco Marcheggiani President, Metso Paper, Tissue Business Line Cell phone +1 404 229 7575 or +46 705 171 511

Jan Erikson Vice President Sales, Metso Paper, Tissue Business Line Tel. +46 54 17 14 90, cell phone +46 70 517 14 90