Hebei Pan Asia Long-Teng Paper starts up OptiConcept newsprint line in China

Published June 7, 2005 13.00.00 +2 GMT

Hebei Pan Asia Long-Teng Paper (HPLC) started up one of Asia's fastest and most efficient newsprint production lines on Tuesday, May 31, in the Hebei province, about 280 km southwest of Beijing. "We had an excellent start-up, and aim to have one of the world's best start-up curves, with swift advances up to a continuous production speed of 1,800 m/min," says Mr. Alain Croisetiere, General Manager of the Hebei mill.

The HPLC PM 1 newsprint production line, supplied by Metso Paper, came on stream about one month before the original start-up date. The paper machine has a wire width of 8.45 m with a design speed of 2,000 m/min and a planned capacity of 330,000 tonnes per year. The production line uses 100 per cent recycled fiber as raw material.

Metso's scope of delivery comprises a complete OptiConcept paper machine with auxiliary equipment, two winders, air systems as well as a short circulation system. Complete machine automation and quality control systems were supplied by Metso Automation.

HPLC selected Metso Paper as supplier of the new production line thanks to the advanced technological solutions and the reliable, long-term cooperation between the two companies over the past years.

HPLC is an 80% / 20% joint venture of Pan Asia Paper Co. Pte. Ltd. based in Singapore, and the Chinese Hebei Longteng Paper Corporation. PanAsia Paper is in turn owned by Norske Skog of Norway and Abitibi-Consolidated of Canada. The company is the largest newsprint producer in Asia. Previously, Metso Paper has supplied four paper machines to Pan Asia Paper's mills in Korea and Thailand.

For more information, please contact:

Pertti Kainu, Project Manager Tel. +358 40 771 7927, pertti.kainu@metso.com

Martti Hirsimäki, Senior Paper Technology Manager Tel. +358 40 563 8644, martti.hirsimaki@metso.com