Valmet converts Kymi's PM 8 to coated woodfree papers

Published May 23, 2000 00.00.00 +2 GMT

Valmet is to rebuild Kymi's PM 8 at Kuusankoski, Finland. Originally supplied by Valmet and started up in 1983, the line will be converted from uncoated woodfree to coated paper production. The value of the Valmet order is about EUR 150 million and the modernized line will start up in autumn 2001.

The project incorporates Valmet's new OptiConcept technology, the bulk of the deal consisting of a new off-machine OptiCoater paper finishing line. It contains coating color kitchen, an OptiReel Plus reel, an OptiLoad multinip calender, an OptiMatt Slim-line soft calender, two OptiReel rereelers, a WinRoll winder and a WinBelt rewinder. Also, an existing winder will be rebuilt. Customer rolls will be packaged and conveyed with a Streamline roll wrapping line, equipped with a Top Pack indexing overlap wrapping method.

The paper machine will be modernized to represent the very latest fine paper technology. It will be supplied with an OptiFlo headbox, OptiFormer, and SymPress B press section. The machine will also include an OptiSizer. The new machine calender will be an OptiNip and the reel an OptiReel Plus. The rebuild also includes air systems. The state-of-the-art quality and control automation will be supplied by Neles Automation of Tampere, another business area of Metso Corporation.

The production capacity of the 8.5 metre wide machine will be 400,000 tonnes of coated woodfree papers. The conversion, originally announced in December 1999, is a strategic step towards meeting the growing demands for coated papers in commercial printing.

This modernization deal is a result of comprehensive co-operation between UPM-Kymmene and Valmet in the development of both WFC production and products.The plant will be delivered by Valmet's Järvenpää, Jyväskylä, Hollola, Raisio and Turku works in Finland.

Kymi Paper Oy, with an annual capacity of 800,000 tonnes of coated and uncoated papers and 525,000 tonnes of bleached pulp, is part of UPM-Kymmene Fine Paper, a leading European manufacturer of fine papers. Its two mills - Kymi Paper Oy in Finland and Nordland Papier AG in Germany - and an associated company operating in China have a total capacity of about 2.3 million tpa in a complete range of coated and uncoated fine papers for graphic use and business communication.UPM-Kymmene Fine Paper is a member of the UPM-Kymmene Group, one of the world's largest manufacturers of printing papers.

Valmet Corporation is one of the world's leading suppliers of technology, systems and equipment for the pulp, paper, converting and panelboard industries. In 1999 it had a turnover of EUR 1.7 billion and a staff of around 10,600. Valmet is a part of Metso Corporation, which comprises three business areas: Fiber and Paper Technology (Valmet), Automation and Control Technology, and Machinery. In 1999, the net sales of Metso amounted to EUR 3.4 billion. The combined number of employees was approximately 23,000. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.

For further information please contact: Kymi Paper Oy, Pertti Asunmaa, Managing Director tel. +358 204 15 3600, fax +358 204 15 3695 Valmet Corporation, Bertel Karlstedt, President, Papermaking Lines tel. +358 20 482 150, fax +358 20 482 151