Metso Paper's Technology Days bring over 300 pulp and paper makers to Jyväskylä, Finland

Published June 14, 2006 15.00.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper's traditional customer event, the Technology Days, is being arranged at the Jyväskylä Pavilion on June 15 - 16. The event, now held for the 23rd time, is returning after several years' break to its birth place at Jyväskylä, under the theme of Technology for Lifecycle Results.

Participating in this year's Technology Days, which is primarily targeted at European customers, are 310 customers from 33 countries. Large customer groups are also attending from non-European countries, such as Japan.

The Technology Days covers the whole pulp and paper production process. Presentations are divided into four different subject areas, one of which is meant for all participants and the remaining three for paper, board and pulp makers respectively. The speakers include not only Metso's own experts, but also distinguished external lecturers including several representing the company's customers. The keynote speeches will be given by Anne Brunila, President of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, who will speak about the future of pulp and paper industry competitiveness, and John Lindahl, Managing Director of Pöyry Forest Industry Oy, who will focus on the challenges of energy supply for the wood processing industry.

The theme of the Days – the lifecycle concept – will be elaborated not only through the presentations, but also by a visit to M-real Oy's Kangas Paper Mill. During the visit participants will become acquainted with "Anna of Kangas", i.e. the mill's PM 4 which demonstrates the results obtainable by the lifecycle approach. The paper machine, which was first erected in the 1970s, has been rebuilt many times and now, 30 years after its lifecycle began, it still meets all the requirements set for modern fine paper machines.

A visit to Metso Paper's Rautpohja Paper and Board Machinery works and Technology Center will wrap up the two-day event.

Metso Paper's first Technology Days were arranged at Jyväskylä in 1978. The current event rotates at three year intervals between the company's main market areas in Europe, North America and Asia.

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

Additional information: Leo Allo, Senior Vice President, Communications tel. 040-544 9509