Metso Paper to supply on-machine OptiConcept paper making line to China

Published Dec 12, 2001 13.11.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper has received an order to supply an on-machine LWC paper making line to Yueyang Paper Group Co. Ltd. of China. The start-up of the PM 8 line, to be built at Yueyang, Hunan province, is scheduled for summer 2003. The value of the order is approx. USD 65 million (EUR 74 million).

The core of the delivery is a new OptiConcept paper machine, which is designed for a speed of 1,600 m/min. Trim width after winder is 6,3 m. Main basis weight will be 60 g/m2 and furnish will be based mainly on domestic poplar pulp.

In their selection of Metso Paper to supply the machinery and systems, Yueyang Paper Group relied on the leading Valmet OptiConcept technology, Metso Paper's full-scope-supplier capacity, their latest references in China and elsewhere, and their well-established presence in China.

The delivery consists of Valmet On-Line OptiConcept from headbox to reeler: OptiFlo headbox, OptiFormer, OptiPress, SymRun dryer section, OptiHard machine calender, OptiSizer film coating system, OptiLoad calender, and OptiReel Plus. Also included are a WinBelt M winder and Metso Automation control systems.

Yueyang Paper Group's current paper and board capacity is approx. 280,000 t/y and their master plan is to reach one million tons in 5 years. Yueyang Paper Group Co., Ltd. is currently state-owned but is considering stock exchange listing.

The Yueyang mill is located by Dongting Lake, which is connected to Yangtze River, enabling convenient waterway traffic to and from Shanghai. A new highway between Yueyang and Changsha will be ready by the end of 2002.

Earlier this year, Metso Paper received two major machine orders from China: a linerboard machine to Guangdong and an LWC paper machine to Jilin. Currently Metso Paper has a joint venture paper machine works in Xian, a sales office in Beijing, and a new Service Technology Center in Wuxi.

More information: Lauri Aroviita, Senior Sales Manager, Papermaking Machines, tel. +358 40 583 4526 Leo Allo, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, tel. +358 40 544 9509