BRUSSELS, Sept. 19, 2001 (paperloop.com) - Frantschach Pulp and Paper Czech revealed that it has already received four bids under a tender for the supply of equipment and technology for a major reconstruction of its PM 3. The Steti-based company, which is looking to almost treble its glazed wrapping paper capacity, said the offers were from foreign machinery and technology suppliers. Frantschach has also had several other bids for the actual construction work on PM 3. The firm declined to reveal when the tender process will officially end, but said that a winner should be chosen in October. The upgrade is expected to increase the machine's current capacity of 12,000 tonnes/yr of glazed wrapping paper to 31,000 tonnes/yr. The work is due for completion by September next year. At the end of August, Frantschach launched an investment program worth Euro 2 million ($1.8 million), which involves extensive modifications and improvements to the site's PM 5. Work already completed includes a new steam condensation system, along with a new forming board and four dewatering units. The company also decreased the capacity of the mixing chests in the preparation room. The PM 5 overhaul, which will continue into next year, will include the installation of a new doctor oscillator on the PM, as well as a doctor blade on the unit's breast roll. The press section will be modified to reduce the free movement of paper between the second and third press. Other work will focus on reducing the machine's water consumption. The revamp is expected to boost the machine's sack paper capacity from 140,000 tonnes/yr to 160,000-180,000 tonnes/yr in due course. The work on PM 5 follows the successful reconstruction of PM 1 late last year, which led to record performances in the first half of this year. For the first six months of 2001, PM 1 produced an average of just under 224 tonnes/day of cartonboard, almost 10 tonnes/day more than last year's average performance, and 26 tonnes/day more than in 1999. In July, the machine's capacity was boosted even further after its drive was rebuilt. The company said the work increased the unit's capacity to 7,000 tonnes/month.