Espoo, Finland 04 October 2016 -- The von Drehle Corporation is the first tissue maker in the USA to produce tissue with Valmet's innovative Advantage NTT technology. The new line was started up at the company's mill in Natchez, Mississippi, USA.

This is Valmet's third tissue machine delivery to von Drehle. Since earlier von Drehle operates two Advantage DCT tissue lines in the Cordova mill, North Carolina in the USA. The Advantage NTT technology is designed for maximum production flexibility, energy efficiency as well as enhanced product quality.

"We are very pleased with the equipment and systems as well as the support provided by Valmet to us and our contractors, both in the past and continuing", says Joe Pankratz, Vice President of Manufacturing, von Drehle Corporation.

"We are delighted to announce our first Advantage NTT start up in USA. This is the fourth successful NTT start-up since the first machine start-up in 2013. We want to thank von Drehle for the good cooperation and team effort to make this project a success and a benchmark in the industry. This high capacity NTT installation will provide von Drehle with excellent flexibility and capability for a wide product quality range in its operations for years to come," says Soren Eriksson, Sales Director, Tissue Mills Business Unit, Valmet.

Technical information

The new tissue machine has a width of 2.6 m and a design speed of 2,000 m/min in plain mode and 1,800 m/min in textured mode. The raw material for the new line is recycled fiber and the production line is optimized to save energy and fiber as well as add possibilities for product differentiation and increased capacity of premium quality products.

Valmet's scope of delivery comprised a complete tissue production line including an Advantage NTT 100HS tissue machine. The tissue machine is equipped with an OptiFlo headbox and a cast alloy Yankee cylinder. It also features the Advantage tissue technology including, an AirCap hood and a SoftReel L reel. Furthermore, the delivery included an automation package with process control system. Valmet was also responsible for installation supervision, training and commissioning as well as product development support.

About the customer von Drehle Corporation

The von Drehle Corporation, established in 1974, is based in Hickory North Carolina, USA and currently operates tissue mills in Cordova, Maiden, Memphis and Las Vegas. The company provides quality towel, tissue and dispenser products for the Away From Home market in North America.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2015 were approximately EUR 2.9 billion. Our 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.