Lucca, Italy 14th June 2016 -- Toscotec will rebuild the dryer section of Smurfit Kappa Papelsa's PM 1 at Barbosa mill, Colombia.

The customer has recognized in Toscotec the right partner to provide the best technology available in drying process and support the company for a quick growth in the South American market.

The project is finalized to improve efficiency, increasing the operating speed and the reel gross production over 40%. The crucial point of the dryer section modification is the application of the TT SteelDryer technology throughout the entire paper machine, with 5 sections and a total number of 42 dryers. The scope of the supply includes also an advanced rope-less tail threading system and sheet stabilization designed to reach an operating speed of 1000 mpm.

Toscotec service specialists will provide supervision, commissioning and start up assistance. The order is scheduled for the end of 2016 and expected erection and start-up for the beginning of 2017.

Steel dryer Toscotec technology is a well-known and proven solution with over 1200 units running worldwide, providing an extremely high drying capacity. The main benefits Papelsa is looking for, with the application of the new 11 bar coded TT SteelDryers are:

· Higher heat transfer rate thanks to the thinner shell thickness of the steel dryer;

· Wider drying face length with the same space requirements, leading to the possibility of drying a wider sheet width;

· Safer equipment.

With this project Toscotec strengthens its partnership with Smurfit Kappa in South America and thanks to the advanced technology and the flexibility shown on various projects reinforces its commitment to complex rebuilding and emphasizes its leadership on the dryer sections.

About Smurfit Kappa Group

Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) vision is to be recognized as the most successful paper-based packaging company in the world, with around 45,000 people employed across 370 sites located in 34 countries. SKG is located in 21 countries in Europe, and 13 in the Americas and is the only large-scale pan-regional player in Latin America. Barbosa Mill is part of SKG located near Medellin.

About Toscotec

Since 1948, Toscotec offers complete production lines, plant retrofits, and individual machineries. Headquartered in Lucca, the nerve center of the Italian paper district, with offices in China and North America, the Group serves all the leading paper producers with customized solutions, leveraging on the experience gained in more than 60 years of activities.