Metso Paper to supply large fine paper line to UPM-Kymmene, Changshu in China

Published Sept 8, 2003 14.00.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper will supply a large OptiConcept paper making line to UPM-Kymmene (Changshu) Paper Industry Co. Ltd., in China. The total value of the order is EUR 100 million. Start-up is scheduled for July 2005.

In addition to the paper machine, the delivery includes air systems and winders. Metso Automation will supply a metsoDNA machine automation system and Metso Drives will supply mechanical drives.

The paper machine has a wire width of 10,400 mm and a design speed of 2,000 m/min. The annual production capacity of the new line will be 450,000 tons of uncoated copy and offset papers.

UPM-Kymmene (Changshu) selected Metso Paper to supply the production line thanks to their technology, reliability in handling such large projects, and the very good experiences gained from the Changshu mill’s first paper machine, supplied by Metso in 1999.

China's annual paper and board consumption is growing rapidly, and the country is expected to become the largest paper consumer in the world. To satisfy the increasing demand, the paper industry in China is heavily investing in increasing and renewing its production capacity. Since 1997 Metso Paper has sold 14 paper and board machines to the country.

The Changshu mill is located along the Yangtse River, approx. 100 km from Shanghai. After the start-up of the new machine, the annual production capacity of the mill will be 800,000 tons of fine paper.

UPM-Kymmene is one of the leading paper companies in the world. UPM-Kymmene's net sales in 2002 was EUR 10.5 billion, and it employed approximately 36,000 people. The company has production in 17 countries and an extensive sales network.

More information: Hannu Mälkiä, President, Paper Business Line, Metso Paper, tel. +358 400 460 587