Metso and Paprican Join Forces to Deliver Advanced Refiner Control Technology

Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada, 15 June 2006 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Metso Automation and Paprican have reached a three-year agreement for the testing and further development of advanced refiner control technology aimed at increasing efficiency of mechanical pulp mills.

The advanced refiner control technology is designed to provide energy savings and reduce overall operating costs, while maintaining product quality and increasing throughput. Both companies expect that the integration of Paprican's new technology with Metso Automation's Advanced Quality Controls (AQC) will have significant economic benefits for the industry.

Collaboration between Metso Automation and Paprican began in early 2006. Both partners have rapidly identified opportunities offered by the combination of Metso's refiner control systems and Paprican's scientific research expertise in the area. Metso has agreed to financially support the development of the technology and its future enhancements.

"We are thrilled with this agreement that brings together two of the best refiner technologies available," said Danny Cloutier, director of operations, Pulp & Paper Solutions at Metso Automation. "Paprican brings us the fundamental scientific understanding of what is going on within the refiners, which has been proven in early mill testing. Since their Wallenberg Prize achievement, Paprican is internationally recognized for the quality of its science development in this area and we are pleased to have come up with this mutually beneficial agreement between our organizations."

"It is great to work with Metso Automation's experts, who have developed advanced knowledge of control and automation on a wide scale," said Tom Browne, program manager, Mechanical Pulping, at Paprican. "Their control know- how, combined with Metso's ability to rapidly deploy new technologies, makes them the right partner for this project. Our common goal is to come up with the most advanced and the most complete refiner control process ever made available to the industry, and we are eager to start our first mill testing, which is scheduled for the summer of 2006."

About Metso and Metso Automation

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2005 net sales of approximately EUR 4.2 billion. Its 22,000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry, and selected other industries. Metso Automation operates worldwide and has sales and customer support units in 34 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia, and Africa. In 2005, Metso Automation's net sales were EUR 584 million. The number of employees totals approximately 3200.

About Paprican

Paprican, the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada, is a leading not-for-profit research and technology institute that provides valuable technology transfer and cost-competitive research addressing both the short-term and strategic needs of its members. Its research programs are driven by the high-priority technical issues of the industry such as product quality and value, cost competitiveness, environmental responsibility, and sustainability. Internationally recognized for excellence, Paprican operates laboratories in Quebec and British Columbia, and is well positioned to offer services to the global pulp and paper industry.

Source: PAPRICAN