Espoo, Finland 07 April 2017 -- Valmet will supply a new Advantage ThruAir (TAD) machine for Irving Consumer Products. The new machine increases Irving's capacity for premium household paper products. The machine will be delivered in 2018, and will support Irving's ambition to provide premium products to the North American market.

The order was included in Valmet's first quarter of 2017 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

Valmet and Irving share a long history of partnership and this will be their fifth project together. Valmet has previously delivered ThruAir machines to Irving in Fort Edward, New York, and Toronto, Ontario, as well as major rebuilds of TM1 and TM2 tissue machines in Saint John, New Brunswick.

"The new TAD machine will help Irving Consumer Products continue to grow and deliver premium quality tissue paper products to our customers," said Robert K. Irving, President of Irving Consumer Products.

"We are happy to continue our relationship with Irving Consumer Products, working together to continuously improve their operations and performance. This new Advantage ThruAir Drying machine will increase Irving's production capacity for bath tissue with superior bulk and softness, and for towel products with excellent performance strength and absorbency," says Jan Erikson, VP for Sales, Tissue mills business unit, Valmet.

Technical information about the delivery

Valmet's delivery will comprise a complete tissue production line with stock preparation equipment. The new line will include an Advantage ThruAir tissue machine, including an OptiFlo II TIS headbox, ThruAir Dryers and Air system and an Advantage SoftReel reel. The delivery also includes mist and dust systems, automation systems, basic mill engineering, and advisory services.

Information about the customer Irving Consumer Products

Irving Consumer Products is one of North America's leading manufacturers of household paper and baby diaper products. Irving Consumer Product companies include Irving Tissue and Irving Personal Care. Irving Tissue produces premium household store brand paper products for many of North America's top retailers, in addition to some of the top-selling tissue brands in the marketplace. Irving Personal Care is the only manufacturer of baby diapers and training pants in Canada. Using state-of-the-art equipment and technology, they produce premium quality private label products for major North American customers. Read more at www.irvingconsumerproducts.com.

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 2016 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.