Metso to Set Up and Operate Full-Scope Maintenance at Plattling Papier, Germany

Helsinki, Finland, 08 February 2007 -- Metso Paper, through its Scandinavian Mill Service (SMS) subsidiary, will establish and operate maintenance services at the new Plattling Papier paper mill, next to Myllykoski's MD Plattling mill in Germany.

The value of the long-term, full-scope agreement will not be disclosed. The mill, which is one of the world's most modern, is scheduled to start up in the first quarter of 2008.

The agreement -– which uses the principles of Myllykoski's alliance partner Rhein Papier's long-term partnering operational model -– covers both the establishment of a maintenance infrastructure, such as building up an organization and computerized maintenance management system, and the maintenance operations themselves.

The operations consist of roll maintenance and daily maintenance, the focus being on preventive and predictive activities. SMS will be responsible for mechanical, electrical, automation, and civil maintenance for the entire mill.

SMS uses the latest state-of-the-art maintenance concepts combined with Metso's machinery, process, and automation know-how, and the operator maintenance principle. Once fully operational, SMS will employ 40 people in Plattling.

The Scandinavian Mill Service Group operates and develops pulp and paper industry maintenance. The Group employs approximately 500 people in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Spain, and now also in Germany.

Myllykoski is a family-owned international paper group with manufacturing in Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and North America, and sales offices around the world. The Group's products are wood-containing uncoated and coated publication papers, including newsprint. Myllykoski operates nine paper mills, with a total annual capacity of 2.8 million metric tons, including its alliance partner Rhein Papier GmbH. The Group companies employ approximately 3600 people.

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2006 net sales of approximately EUR 5 billion. Its 25,500 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.

www.metso.com