NORPAC Announces Price Increase for UGW Grades

Sappi North America announces a US$2.00/cwt transactional price increase on new and unconfirmed orders that book with confirmed delivery dates on or after Monday, November 20, 2017 on the following packaging products: LusterCote (all basis weights). Please note that all new orders must be confirmed a minimum of 10 days prior to the commencement of the production run.

Norske Skog’s EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2021 was NOK 422 million, an increase from NOK 111 million in the third quarter of 2021. Sales prices for all grades increased in the quarter as a necessary consequence of unprecedented high energy costs in Europe and a tightened publication paper market situation following significant capacity closures and post Covid-19 demand recovery. The European mills operated at full capacity during the quarter. Cash flow from operations was NOK 317 million in the quarter compared to NOK -99 million in the previous quarter, positively impacted by the improved operating margins, change in working capital and sale of CO2-allowances, but negatively impacted by employee redundancy payments at the Tasman mill in New Zealand. Operating earnings in the fourth quarter of 2021 were NOK 479 million compared to operating earnings in the third quarter of 2021 of NOK -565 million. Net profit in the quarter was NOK 400 million compared to a net loss of NOK 602 million in the previous quarter. Net interest-bearing debt was NOK 1 054 million at the end of the fourth quarter, with an equity ratio of 34%.

Tristram Wilkinson, currently serving as President of Kimberly-Clark's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) consumer business, has been named President of the company's Asia Pacific consumer business, and will have responsibility for the company's largest international region with operations in more than 30 countries, including China, India, Australia, Korea and the ASEAN member states. Wilkinson will continue to report to Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu and will be based in Singapore. Wilkinson is succeeding Aaron Powell, who is departing the company for an external opportunity. A successor to Wilkinson will be named in the near future.