Norske Skog: Update on the consent solicitation process

•August uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments increased year-over-year for the first time since August 2016. The August shipments of UFS also hit the highest monthly total since March 2016. Imports of UFS decreased by 28% year-over-year in July – the second consecutive decrease of 20% or more. Meanwhile, exports of UFS papers increased 30% year-over-year in July, which is the third consecutive increase of 20% or more. •August shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers declined. And while shipments of coated two-sides #1-#2 also decreased year-over-year in August, they still reached the highest monthly total thus far in 2017. U.S. imports of CFS papers decreased 13% year-over-year in July; it is the first year-over-year decline in 2017. Exports of CFS papers increased 11% year-over-year in July, the fifth increase in the past seven months. •Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year in August, but reach third highest level in 2017. Imports of CM increased in July, up 11% compared to July 2016, while exports of CM decreased 20% in July. •While shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers declined year-over-year in August, the export data registered a year-over-year increase in July. Imports of UM decreased 3% year-over-year in July while exports of UM increased 10% year-over-year in July – the fourth year-over-year increase in the first seven months of 2017. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Please be advised that, effective with shipments October 1, 2017, the US transaction pricing from Catalyst Paper will increase $1.75/cwt ($35/short ton) for the following products: Electrabrite; Electrabrite Book; Electrastar. This increase applies to all basis weights, finishes and brightness.

Self-adhesive label stock supplier UPM Raflatac has achieved sustainability certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Scheme ISCC PLUS at three of its factories and nine distribution terminals worldwide. The company is proud to make a change in the sustainable labels value chain and be one of the first adopters in the packaging industry to deliver this certification. UPM Raflatac’s ISCC PLUS certified products via mass-balance approach include UPM Raflatac Forest Film™ and UPM Raflatac PP C-PCR. ISCC PLUS is one of the leading global sustainability certification schemes for a fully traceable supply chain to support the transition to a circular economy and bioeconomy. It allows biobased raw materials as well as waste and residue-based feedstock for plastic labels to be certified. The ISCC PLUS certification provides a strong external proof of sustainably managed raw materials and value chains for renewable and chemically recycled products. This truly sustainable packaging value chain brings customers and brand owners closer to their sustainability goals.