Voith Paper: Key Technology for Nippon Paper

Heidenheim, Germany, 23 May 2006 -- Nippon Paper has selected Voith Paper IHI to supply key technology for the new paper machine N6 at the Ishinomaki mill in Japan. The machine will produce 350,000 ton/year of LWC paper. It is a milestone for the Japanese paper market as it will produce high speed online coated and calendered LWC. The 9450 mm wire width machine is due to go on stream in November 2007.

Nippon Paper selected several suppliers for the paper machine project. Leading technology and references in pressing and coating were the reason for Nippon Paper to entrust Voith Paper IHI in delivering these key sections of the machine. The well-proven and most advanced Varidwell coater stations, originally developed by IHI, will be installed for on-line coating. The Tandem NipcoFlex press is considered key technology for high-speed graphic paper machines.

Nippon Paper Industries, a major part of Nippon Paper Group, is Japan's leading paper producer. The Ishinomaki mill currently operates 11 paper machines, producing a total of 900,000 tons per year.

The entire Nippon Paper Group produces approximately 8 million tons per year of paper and board on 90 paper machines at 23 mills in Japan, 2 in the USA, 3 in China, and 1 in Finland.

Voith Paper IHI, a joint venture between Voith Paper of Germany and IHI of Japan, is today a leading supplier of paper machine technology to the Japanese and other Asian markets. The group is dedicated in delivering excellence throughout the whole papermaking process.

Voith Paper is a division of the Voith Group and one of the leading partners to the paper industry. More than one third of the world's paper production is produced on Voith Paper machines. Voith sets standards in paper technology, power transmission engineering, power generation, and industrial services.

Founded on 01 January 1867, Voith has a current workforce of about 30,000, sales of EUR 3.5 billion, and more than 200 locations worldwide. It is one of the largest family-owned enterprises in Europe.