Helsinki, Finland, 20 October 2006 -- Metso Paper will supply a linerboard machine to Zhejiang JiAn Paper Packet Co., Ltd. in China. The machine, which will have an annual capacity of about 450,000 metric tons, will come on stream in Haiyan, Zhejiang province, in 2007.

The value of the order is not disclosed. Metso's new local unit, Metso Paper Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., will play a vital role in the delivery. The order is for a complete three-ply linerboard machine. The new PM 1 will have a wire width of 7250 mm and a design speed of 1100 m/min. It will produce linerboard in a basis weight range of 90-200 g/m2.

The typical value of similar board machine orders is close to EUR 40 million.

Earlier this year the Haiyan mill, which is located approximately 120 km southwest of Shanghai, started up its first machine, supplied by Metso Paper. The 6-m wide, 300,000 tons/year unit produces industrial packaging paper. The privately owned company currently employs around 750 people.

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2005 net sales of approximately EUR 4.2 billion. Its 22 000 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