Valmet supplies MEUR 100 paper machine to Holmen Paper

Published Nov 07, 2000 00.00.00 +2 GMT

Valmet has received an approx. MEUR 100 order from Holmen Paper AB of Sweden. Valmet will supply a large OptiConcept paper machine, PM 11, to Holmen's Hallstavik mill, located less than 100 km north of Stockholm. Start-up is scheduled for April 2002.

The new machine will replace the 35-year-old PM 11 and thus increase the mill's capacity for machine-finished magazine paper grades by 115,000 tons to 440,000 tpy. With a wire width of 9.3 m and a design speed of 2000 m/min, the new PM 11 will be Europe's largest for this grade. The new machine's production will be high-brightness improved newsprint, cold set offset and heat set offset grades, typically used in the rapidly growing market of special magazines, inserts and advertising materials.

Holmen's choice for OptiConcept further strengthens the position of the Valmet technology, already in use in all key market areas. So far, a total of 5 OptiConcept paper machines have been ordered.

The Valmet concept for the Hallstavik machine is based on the fine formation and profiling achieved with the OptiFormer and the uniform surface properties produced with OptiLoad on-line calendering. The delivery consists of an OptiFlo headbox, OptiFormer, OptiPress, SymRun HS dryer section, OptiLoad on-line calender, OptiReel Plus, air systems, WinBelt belt-bed winder, and auxiliary equipment.

During the 1990's, Valmet supplied the mill with two major paper machine rebuilds and several winders. Currently Valmet is rebuilding the mill's PM 12 with OptiFormer, OptiLoad and OptiReel.

The Hallstavik mill employs approx. 1000 persons and earlier this year received an environment permit to increase paper production to 880,000 tpy.

Valmet, the fiber and paper business area of Metso Corporation, is the world’s leading supplier of technology, systems and equipment for the pulp, paper, converting and panelboard industries. In 1999, Valmet’s net sales were EUR 1.7 billion and it had a personnel of 10,600.

Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems. Metso’s business areas are fiber and paper technology, automation and control technology, and machinery. In 1999, the net sales of Metso Corporation were EUR 3.4 billion, and the personnel totaled approximately 23,000. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.

Further information: Ilpo Ollila, Vice President, Sales, Paper Making Lines, tel. +358 20 482 6005, +358 40 502 4013.