Helsinki, Finland,  10 July 2009 -- Metso and the Chinese MCC Meili Paper Industry Co. Ltd. have signed an agreement for delivery of a lightweight-coated papermaking line to the customer’s mill in Zhongwei in the Ningxia autonomous region in China. The start-up of the production line is scheduled for the first quarter of 2011. The total value of the order is approximately EUR 90 million. The deal is still subject to the parties coming to the final agreement of the project within a few months.

The order covers a complete paper machine from headbox to reel with related stock preparation and air systems and finishing systems.

MCC Meili operates several paper machines in Zhongwei, on the Loess Plateau of northwest China. The company was originally founded in 1958 and is today a subsidiary of MCC (China Metallurgical Group Corporation). MCC is one of the largest equipment manufacturers in China.

Metso (www.metso.com) is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling, and the pulp and paper industries. The company has about 28,000 employees in more than 50 countries.