Metso's strong valve expertise utilized in Kotkamills' boxboard machine conversion

HELSINKI, Finland, Dec. 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metso will supply hundreds of valves for Kotkamills Oy's mill in Kotka, Finland, where the current printing paper machine will be rebuilt to produce high-quality and environmentally friendly consumer board grades. The new production line will be commissioned in the second quarter of 2016.

"Metso has unique knowledge and expertise in pulp and paper industry valves. Our requirements for the valves used in the machine conversion specifically target the reliability of the valves and the efficiency of the production process. The production line conversion timetable is short, so proven project know-how and good experiences were important criteria for us when we selected the valve supplier," notes Jari Mäkelä, who is in charge of the machine conversion automation and electrification at Kotkamills.

The valve order includes Metso's Neles^® ball control valves, segment valves, and Neldisc^® disc valves for shut-off and control applications. The control valves are equipped with Metso's ND9000 series intelligent valve controllers, which can monitor valve performance and enable the planning of preventive maintenance.

"Metso will supply a comprehensive range of valve solutions for the machine rebuild, solutions that meet the customer's needs in the best possible way. The valve solutions we have chosen for the customer's machine rebuild are easy to service and will increase the mill's competitiveness," emphasizes Janne Viljamaa, Sales Manager, Metso Flow Control Solutions.

Kotkamills Oy and Metso share a long history of collaboration, and Metso's reliable valve solutions are utilized in the production process also in the mill's current paper machine production lines.

The order was included in Metso's fourth quarter 2015 orders received. The value of the order is not disclosed. Metso's valve deliveries will start in early 2016.

Correctly-timed maintenance services will benefit the customer

Metso continuously improves its service capability and scope of offering to help customers ensure long-term performance excellence, reliability and safety of their processes. The services for the valves and spare parts will improve the mill's availability, process performance, and risk management.

Metso's goal is also to ensure the correct timing of future maintenance needs of the valves to be installed at the mill by utilizing digital documentation of the valves and product data management. Metso can test and repair valves from a service center located close to the customer, and thus meet the customer's repair and maintenance needs during the planned mill shutdowns.

Leading flow control and service solutions for the pulp and paper industry

Metso has a long track record of increasing the pulp and paper industry's performance and reliability. The company is the global market leader in control and on-off valves for the pulp and paper industry - about 75 percent of the world's pulp flows through its valves. Metso is also one of the leading suppliers of smart valve controllers.

Metso has strong pulp and paper industry expertise, and its comprehensive value-added services improve the efficiency of customer processes. Metso's flow control offering and services for the pulp and paper industry focus on three main areas: solving technical or process issues for customers, improving business performance, and overall responsibility for an agreed area of business operations. Metso has more than 40 valve and field equipment centers around the world.

The company's valve technology centers and factories are located in Finland, the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, India and Brazil.

Kotkamills in brief

Kotkamills is a responsible partner that delivers product innovations created from wood, a renewable raw material. Our key brands include the high-quality specialized laminating papers Absorbex^® and Imprex^®, the high-bulk printing paper Solaris®, and ecological wood products. In 2016, we will start the production of fully recyclable consumer board grades in Kotka. Our products are environmentally friendly, recyclable and safe to use. www.kotkamills.com

Metso is the world's leading industrial company in the mining and aggregates industries and in the flow control business. Our knowledge, people and solutions help drive sustainable improvements in performance and profitability in our customers' businesses.

Metso has an uncompromising attitude towards safety. Our products range from mining and construction equipment and systems to industrial valves and controls. Our solutions are delivered and supported by decades of process knowledge and a broad scope of services backed by a global footprint of over 90 service centers, thousands of service employees, and an extensive logistics network.

Metso is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland. In 2014, Metso's net sales totaled EUR 3.7 billion. Metso employs approximately 13,000 industry experts in more than 50 countries. Expect results.

www.metso.com/fi, www.twitter.com/metsogroup

Further information:

Janne Viljamaa, Sales Manager, Flow Control, Metso, tel. +358 40 569 2805, email: [email protected]

Helena Marjaranta, Vice President, Global Communications, Metso Corporation, tel. +358 20 484 3212 , email: [email protected]

Caption: Kotkamills mill in Kotka, Finland.

Kotkamill plant in Kotka Finland http://hugin.info/3017/R/1973552/722006.jpg

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