<B>Valmet, Albany International, Agree to Share Technology</B>

Metso Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area, Valmet, and Albany International have agreed to a program intended to produce a broad cooperation in technology, sales, marketing and services for the paper industry. The two companies have been engaged in technical cooperation for several years.

The new arrangement is aimed at developing improved products and services for papermakers by exploring and taking advantage of complementary aspects of the businesses and technologies of the two companies.

As part of the broad cooperation, Valmet has been given a right to sell certain Albany belts in connection with its sale of new paper machines and the rebuilding and servicing of existing machines.