Metso Paper –supplied paper machines set new world speed records at UPM's Changshu and Rauma mills

Published Jan 20, 2006 15.00.00 +2 GMT

Two Metso Paper -supplied paper machines at two separate UPM paper mills have recently set new world speed records in their categories. For LWC paper, UPM Rauma mill's PM 4 in Finland set a new world speed record of 1,912 m/min (6,273 fpm) in a 24-hour run that began on 2 January 2006. For fine paper, a new world speed record was set in China, by UPM Changshu mill's PM 1, which was run at 1,620 m/min (5,315 fpm) for more than 24 hours starting on 9 January 2006.

Even though Rauma PM 4 was started up already eight years ago, the machine – with its challenging on-line blade coating process – is still capable of creating new milestones for the industry. The new record speed of 1,912 m/min is several hundred meters per minute higher than any top speed reached with other machine suppliers' LWC paper machines, and also well beyond the machine's original design speed of 1,800 m/min. During the years, the machine's performance has been systematically developed with well-focused modernization projects.

Currently the world's top five fastest LWC paper making lines with on-line coating are all supplied by Metso Paper.

The new world speed record for fine paper machines was set by the new OptiConcept PM 1 at UPM-Kymmene (Changshu) Paper Industry Co., Ltd., in a normal production run of 70 g/m² surface-sized offset paper.

The record-breaking Changshu PM 1, which is the world's largest and fastest unit for uncoated fine paper, was started up only eight months ago, in May 2005. With a wire width of 10.4 m and a design speed of 2,000 m/min, it can produce 450,000 tonnes of uncoated woodfree paper annually. In addition to the paper machine, the Metso delivery included air systems and winders. Metso Automation supplied an extensive automation and field systems package to the production line.

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2004 net sales of approximately EUR 4 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

For further information, please contact: Aki Saarinen Vice President, Paper Technology Tel. +358 40 553 7628