Presidential inauguration of Portucel Soporcel’s UWF paper machine at Setúbal, Portugal

By Mark Rushton, Editor, Pulp & Paper International Magazine, RISI

LISBON, PORTUGAL, Nov. 9, 2009 (RISI) - Amid an atmosphere of much pomp and ceremony over 1000 customers and guests from all over Europe, the US and South America were treated to a presidential inauguration of Portucel Soporcel's brand new 500,000 tonnes/yr UWF paper machine and mill at Setúbal, an hour's drive from Lisbon on Friday of last week. The President of the Republic of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, presided over the inauguration, and gave a speech on the importance of the new installation which will see the creation of 350 new highly skilled jobs, as well being of fundamental importance to the local and national economy.

The President said: "Although this plant is impressive by its size, as well as its investment, what is even more relevant is the contribution it will bring to the country in terms of sustained, international economic growth. This is key for Portugal, and Portucel Soporcel must be commended on the building and operating of such a high tech, added value dimension to take advantage of our very important forest products industry."

Pedro Queiroz Pereira, chairman, and major shareholder in Portucel Soporcel, told the assembled audience that the Euro 550 million project had been delivered on time, and within budget, and that so far he is delighted with the production output. He said: "The project was finished in the space of 20 months, using 200 companies, and we had up to 1,600 people on site during the construction. The machine produces 180 tonnes of high quality paper every hour, and the company already is responsible for 4% of the total of Portugal's export output. We have also invested around Euro 70 million in our cogeneration power station which is now the largest in Portugal, and will see us supply 5% of the renewable power to the national grid."

A delighted Pedro Queiroz Pereira was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Industrial Merit at the event which was presented by the President of Portugal , Aníbal Cavaco Silva.

The machine, one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind for the production of uncoated papers, started up successfully on schedule on August 15 this year. Metso supplied the complete 11.1 m width OptiConcept paper machine line from headbox to roll handling with related air systems, as well as stock preparation equipment. It also supplied a full automation package including quality control systems, moisture measurement and wet end analyzers.