Metso Paper to rebuild Sappi Skowhegan, Maine PM 3

Published Jan 07, 2002 16.05.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper will supply Sappi Fine Paper North America with a rebuild of their Somerset mill PM 3 coated fine paper machine in Skowhegan, Maine. The approx. EUR 10 million delivery will increase production speed and machine efficiency. The rebuilt machine will come on stream in March 2003.

The Somerset mill operates three coated fine paper machines.

Sappi Fine Paper is the leading manufacturer of coated woodfree paper in North America with an annual capacity of approximately 1.3 million tons of coated woodfree, specialty and technical papers. The company has three paper mills located in Maine and Michigan.

Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems. The corporation's fiber and paper technology business area, Metso Paper, is the world's leading supplier of technology, systems and equipment for the pulp, paper, converting and panelboard industries. Metso's other core businesses are divided between Metso Minerals and Metso Automation. In 2000, the net sales of Metso Corporation were EUR 3.9 billion, and the personnel totaled approximately 22,000. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges. Metso completed its offer for Svedala Industri AB on September 14, 2001. Svedala is a global supplier of products and services for rock and mineral processes. Metso's and Svedala's combined net sales are approximately EUR 5,400 million (in 2000) and the amount of personnel is approximately 32,000

For more information: Leo Allo Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications Metso Paper, Inc. Tel. +358 40 544 9509