Metso to Supply a Tissue Machine to Nuqul Group in Jordan

Helsinki, Finland, 31 May 2006 -- Metso Paper will supply a complete tissue machine to Nuqul Group in Jordan. The machine will be installed in the corporation's new Al Snobar mill in Amman, Jordan. It is scheduled to start production during the fourth quarter of 2007. The market value of these types of tissue production lines ranges from EUR 15 million to EUR 20 million, depending on the scope of delivery and production output.

Metso's delivery will comprise a complete Advantage DCT 200 tissue machine. With a width of 5.5 m and an operating speed of 2000 m/min, the new machine will add another 54,000 tons a year of high-quality facial, toilet, and towel grades to Nuqul Group's total production capacity. The raw material for the new machine will be virgin pulp.

The tissue consumption in the Middle East has been growing by 25% during the past five years. Though the per capita consumption is low compared to Europe, with the population base of 220 million the potential for growth is large.

The Nuqul Group, with headquarters in Amman, Jordan, is the leading tissue producer of the Middle East and North Africa, operating three paper mills, Al Keena in Jordan as well as Al Bardi and Al Sindian in Egypt. Established in 1952, Nuqul Group brings together 28 regional and global companies with over 5,500 employees, and exports its products to more than 45 countries worldwide.

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.