Metso to supply LWC paper line to China

Published Oct 01, 2001 20.47.00 +2 GMT

Metso Paper has received an order to supply a LWC/newsprint production line to China. The order was placed by Jilin Paper Co., Ltd. The start-up of the line, to be built at Jilin, northern China, is scheduled for late 2002. The value of the order is over EUR 70 million.

The new OptiConcept paper machine is designed for a speed of 1600 m/min and has a wire width of 6,950 mm. The main basis weight of LWC paper will be 60 g/m2. The paper machine is designed to produce newsprint paper as well, with a basis weight of 45 g/m2.

In their selection of Metso Paper to supply the machinery and systems, Jilin Paper Co., Ltd. relied on the leading Valmet OptiConcept technology, their start-up track record and latest references. The excellent start-ups and top production figures, together with the machine efficiencies and reliability attained, were major decisive factors in the selection process. In addition, the high speed OptiConcept paper machine orders placed earlier by other Chinese companies, i.e. Nanping Paper, Black Dragon Group in Qiqihar and Jilin Shixian, were much emphasized.

The delivery consists of stock preparation equipment, Valmet OptiConcept from headbox to reeling section, WinBelt winder and chemical handling system of the whole process.

The new mill site in the city of Jilin (population 1.5 million) has been cleared and construction work has commenced. Machinery assembly work will begin in mid-2002. Located in China’s northern Jilin province, the mill utilizes local aspen and larch forests and plantations as fiber resource.

Jilin Paper Co., Ltd. is one of the large, state-owned companies in China. The main business area has been the production of newsprint paper. The new LWC production line opens a new business area for the company in the production of coated magazine paper grades.

China has become one of the most important markets for Metso Paper. This year Metso Paper has received an order for a linerboard machine to be delivered to Guangdong province in Southeastern China. In 1989 Metso Paper established a joint venture to operate a paper machine works in Xian. Currently the company has sales offices in Beijing and Shanghai and Service technology center in Wuxi.

For more information, please contact: Pertti Soikkanen, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Paper Making Lines Tel. +358 20 482 7620, +358 40 546 0002