Metso will supply Blue Paper with a grade conversion rebuild of their paper machine at their mill site in Strasbourg, France. The target is to produce packaging materials on a paper machine that previously produced LWC, light weight coated paper, a grade that is suffering from a drastic decline in demand. The start-up of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for the last quarter of 2013.
Metso’s delivery includes headbox and forming area modernizations and modernization of the press, dryer and sizing sections and reel.
Metso will also modify air systems and automation systems.
According to Metso, the original paper machine has a trimmed width of 8.5 meters and produced LWC (lightweight coated) paper at a speed of 1,500 m/min. After the grade conversion rebuild, the paper machine will have a high annual capacity of fluting and testliner grades in the basis weight range of 70-130 g/m².
Blue Paper SAS is a joint venture established by the Belgian VPK Packaging Group NV and the German Klingele Papierwerke.
