Metso Paper to supply tissue machine to Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co. in Saudi-Arabia

Published July 2, 2007 14.00.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper will supply a complete Advantage DCT 200TS tissue machine to Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co. The machine will be installed in SPM's mill located in Dammam, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The machine is scheduled to start production during the fourth quarter of 2008. The value of the order is not disclosed.

The market value of these types of tissue production lines is in excess of EUR 25 million, depending on the scope of delivery and production output. The total project investment made by Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co. is in excess of EUR 50 million.

Metso Paper's delivery will comprise an Advantage DCT 200TS state-of-the-art tissue machine including quality control and distributed control systems (QCS/DCS). Metso will also supply all the basic and detailed engineering and project management services. The machine is designed for a cogeneration ventilation system. With a width of 5.5 m and a design speed of 2,200 m/min, the new machine will add another 60,000 tons a year of high-quality facial, toilet and towel grades to Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company's total production capacity. The raw material for the new machine will be virgin pulp and recycled fiber.

Tissue consumption has grown by 25% in the Middle East over the past five years. Although per capita consumption is low compared to Europe, the population of 258 million means that the potential for growth is large.

The Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company was established in 1991 to produce a wide range of high-quality tissue paper. The products are sold in Saudi Arabia and to a growing number of countries in the Middle East and the region at large. The production capacity is today 80,000 tons. Currently there are three tissue machines in SPM's Dammam mill.

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2006 net sales of approximately EUR 5 billion. Its 25,500 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries. www.metso.com

For further information, please contact: Marco Marcheggiani, President, Metso Paper, Tissue business line phone +1 404 229 7575 or +46 705 171 511

Jan Erikson, Vice President Sales, Metso Paper, Tissue business line phone +46 54 17 14 90 or +46 70 517 14 90