APRIL Launches Advanced Paper Machine in China

Singapore’s Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL) has started production of a new high-end paper machine at its Changshu paper mill in China, which was commissioned in March 1999. The paper machine has a production capacity of 350,000 t/a non-coated woodfree printing paper and office paper with a total investment of 500 million U.S. dollars. The machine is manufactured by Valmet and the production system is exactly the same as APML's facility at RiauPaper in Indonesia. APRIL also has a 30,000 t/a paper processing facility in Suzhou, China, to produce stationery items such as exercise books and notebooks. In order to serve its customers, APRIL has established sales offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu in China. The success of the production at the Changshu paper mill in China has made APRIL a major step towards the goal of 2000.