Metso's contract involves the supply of a 5.5-metre-wide tissue machine with an operating speed of 2,000 metres a minute and annual production capacity of 54,000 tonnes.

The new factory is part of a regional expansion by Nuqul, which is the region's leading tissue supplier. Though tissue consumption in the region has grown by 25 per cent during the past five years per capita usage is still low compared with Europe.

Production at the new factory is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2005. Nuqul is currently talking to contractors for other packages on the project, including the construction of the plant and the supply of auxiliary equipment. The consultant on the project is Finland's Jaakko Poyry.