UPM has started up a Metso Paper OptiConcept fine paper line ahead of schedule in Changshu, China

Published May 24, 2005 12.00.00 +2 GMT

UPM's Changshu PM 1, supplied by Metso, was started up successfully on May 24,
2005. "Thanks to the good cooperation between our people and the supplier's
team, we have seen an excellent start-up of the new production line", says Mr.
Hannu Jokisalo, Vice President and General Manager at Changshu. "In fact, due to
the smooth co-operation, we were able to start up the production line 4 weeks
ahead of schedule. As a result, we have one of the most modern paper making
lines in the middle of the fastest growing markets in the world", he continues.


Changshu PM 1, a large OptiConcept paper making line from Metso,
represents the latest technology in all aspects of the paper making process. In
addition to the paper machine, the delivery includes air systems and winders.
Metso Automation supplied an extensive automation and field systems package to
the production line.

UPM's new paper machine is the world's largest and
fastest unit for uncoated fine paper. It has a wire width of 10,400 mm and a
design speed of 2,000 m/min. The annual production capacity of the new line will
be 450,000 tons of high-quality woodfree uncoated copy and offset papers.


UPM Changshu selected Metso Paper to supply the production line thanks
to their technology, reliability in handling such large projects, and the very
good experiences gained from the Changshu mill’s first paper machine, supplied
in 1999.

The Changshu mill is located along the Yangtse River, approx.
100 km from Shanghai. After the start-up of the new line, the annual production
capacity of the mill will be 800,000 tons of fine papers, of which some 200,000
tons will be coated papers. Glossy light-weight coated fine papers are used for
magazine, catalogue and commercial printing end-uses.

UPM is one of the
world’s leading producers of printing papers and the clear market leader in
magazine papers. The Group's sales in 2004 were nearly EUR 10 billion, and it
has over 33,000 employees. The company has production plants in 16 countries and
an extensive sales network. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki and New York
stock exchanges.