Graz, Austria, 30 May 2007 -- International Andritz Group received major orders for chemical, recovery, and pulp drying systems from renowned pulp producers in Spain and Portugal totalling approximately EUR 200 million.

For Celulosas de Asturias S.A. (CEASA), a pulp mill located in Navia, Asturias, Spain, Andritz will supply major recovery and market pulp drying systems for a mill upgrade program that will increase the production capacity and improve the performance of most departments of the mill. CEASA is owned by ENCE, Spain's largest market pulp producer.

The recovery segment encompasses a new recovery boiler with a black liquor combustion capacity of 1800 tons of dry solids per day and a new bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) biomass boiler producing 120 tons/hour of steam from eucalyptus bark, fines, and biomass residue. The pulp drying systems are based on the Andritz twin wire forming technology for high production capacities and low operating costs, successfully proven in more than 10 reference plants worldwide. The production rate of 400 tons/day per meter of working width represents a new world record. Start-up is scheduled for late 2008.

Celulose Beira Industrial (Celbi), SA, ordered major market pulp drying systems and a lime kiln plant for the modernization and capacity increase of its Figueira da Foz pulp mill, Portugal. Celbi is owned by the Altri Group, one of Portugal's largest market pulp producers.

The pulp drying systems will also be based on the successful Andritz twin wire forming technology and have a design capacity of 1815 tons/day with a working width of 4.8 m. Start-up is scheduled for October 2008. The chemical system includes a newly designed LMD lime kiln plant offering even better environmental results. The capacity of the plant is 450 tons/day. Start-up is scheduled at the end of January 2009.

About Andritz

Publicly listed Andritz Group is a global market leader for advanced production systems for the pulp and paper, steel, and other specialized industries. Andritz has about 10,400 employees worldwide. It develops and makes its high-tech systems at 35 production sites in Austria, Germany, Finland, Denmark, France, Netherlands, USA, Canada, and China.