Marlia, Italy 13 October 2015 -- The successful cooperation between the Italian supplier Toscotec and AMS BR Star Paper, part of Portucel-Soporcel Group, continues. A new AHEAD-2.0S has been started up at Vila Velha de Ródão plant, in the east of Portugal. The mill already houses another Toscotec AHEAD-2.0S line started up in 2009.

Jose Miranda, Head of Tissue of Grupo Portucel-Soporcel, comments this important result - " The new TM2 is running at an operating speed of 1900 mpm only two weeks after the start-up date producing high quality tissue and demonstrating, one more time, Toscotec excellence and experience in delivering complex "turn-key" projects".

The Portuguese project for the new TM#2 included stock preparation plant for virgin pulp, AHEAD-2.0S tissue machine with Steel Yankee Dryer TT SYD-15FT, Milltech hood and air systems, electrification & control system, additional plants and complete engineering and erection activities. With a daily production of 110 tons, AMS BR Star Paper has increased its production to better satisfy the growing market's demand and to follow the Group's strategic option to diversify its activity in the tissue business.

About Portucel Soporcel Group

As a leading force in the international pulp and paper market, the Portucel Soporcel Group is one of Portugal's strongest brands on the world stage. In June 2013 it was honored as the "Best Company in Europe" by the European Business Awards in the category "Business of the Year". As part of its strategy of international expansion, the Portucel Soporcel group has embarked on a new cycle of sustained growth on two fronts: by consolidating projects currently underway, and moving into new business areas. In Europe, the Group has decided to diversify into tissue paper, with the aim of establishing itself as a major player in the European market. To this end it has acquired the more efficient tissue factory of Iberian Peninsula - AMS BR Star Paper S.A..

About Toscotec S.p.A.

Toscotec is a turnkey technology supplier to the global paper industry, offering a complete suite of solutions for tissue, paper and board manufacture, as well as maintenance services for rolls and cylinders. Based in Lucca, Italy, and with subsidiaries in China and the USA, Toscotec's tradition of innovation, energy saving and partnership with customers dates back to its foundation in 1948. Since 2013 Toscotec has been the market leader in tissue machines sales. For further information www.toscotec.com