HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 15, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Metso Panelboard will deliver, in cooperation with Siempelkamp, a complete continuous MDF production line to Vanachai Group Public Company Ltd's Surat Thani site in Thailand. The start-up for the new line is scheduled for the first quarter of 2009. The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the order. In general the market value of these types of deliveries is over EUR 20 million. The order is included in Metso's fourth quarter order backlog.
Metso's delivery will include the complete equipment for wood yard, fiber preparation, drying and forming, continuous pressing, and equipment for panel handling and finishing. Metso will also deliver the start-up and erection supervision services for the new line. The forming equipment and continuous 38-meter press will be supplied by Siempelkamp.
The capacity of the new MDF line is approximately 935 cubic meters of 8-15 mm MDF panels per day, and it uses rubber wood as raw material. The investment will further enhance Vanachai's position as the largest panelboard producer in southeast Asia.
The Vanachai Group has been in the timber and wood-based panel industry since 1943. The company is headquartered in Bangkok and listed on the Thailand stock exchange.
Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2006 net sales of approximately EUR 5 billion. Its more than 26,000 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