Metso has started the investment in new facilities in Araucaria, Parana state, in southeastern Brazil. The investment will improve Metso’s competitiveness in serving the pulp and paper and power generation industries, and thus strengthen its presence in emerging markets. At the first phase, Metso’s investment will amount to around EUR 14 million (BRL 30 million). Later on, the investment will be continued by further increasing the capacity and capabilities of the new facilities.

The new facilities in Araucaria will be built on a 60,000 m2 land area, of which 10,000 m2 will be for new equipment sales and a service workshop. The unit will be operational by the end of 2011. When the new facilities are ready Metso will move all activities from the current leased facilities in Curitiba, located approx. 10 km from the new site.

With the new facilities Metso will be in a good position to support the growth of pulp production in South America, where several new greenfield mills and new production lines are planned for the coming years. There will be a growing demand for services in the pulp and power generation industries, requiring increased local competences and workshop capabilities.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

For further information, please contact:
Harri Nikunen, Senior Vice President, Finance, Paper and Fiber Technology, Metso, tel. +358 40 828 9083
Celso Tacla, President, Metso Paper South America Ltda., tel. +55 41 9953 9152