Stora Enso becomes sole producer of coated mechanical paper in Latin America


Stora Enso has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Vinson Indústria de Papel Arapoti Ltda. and Vinson Empreendimentos Agricolas Ltda. from International Paper. The deal comprises a paper mill producing coated mechanical paper (205 000 tonnes annual capacity), a sawmill (150 000 m3 sawn timber annual capacity) and approximately 50 000 hectares of land out of which approximately 30 000 hectares are productive plantations. (These assets were formerly owned by Inpacel - Indústria de Papel Arapoti Ltda. and Inpacel Agroflorestal Ltda., subsidiaries of International Paper.)

The estimated enterprise value is USD 415 million (EUR 324 million) with about half of the value attributable to paper business, including tax credits of USD 10-15 million, and the balance to sawmill and plantations. This equates to an acquisition cost of approximately USD 1 100 (EUR 860) per tonne paper capacity. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2006, subject to customary closing conditions.

The acquisition of International Paper's coated mechanical paper business in Brazil supports Stora Enso's existing strategy for the new growth markets. "The strategic aim of this acquisition is to strengthen our presence in the Latin American market through paper production in Brazil. This will firmly establish our publication paper business in Latin America and expand it into new markets. With this acquisition we will become the sole producer of coated mechanical paper in Latin America," says CEO Jukka Härmälä.

The acquired entities are at Arapoti, in the state of Paraná, near major markets. In 2005 the companies had net sales of USD 228 million (EUR 178 million), 76% from coated mechanical paper, 15% from plantations and 9% from sawmilling. EBITDA and EBIT in 2005 were USD 55 million (EUR 43 million) and USD 39 million (EUR 31 million) respectively. The acquired entities have 711 employees.

The light-weight coated (LWC) production line, which has an annual capacity of 205 000 tonnes, includes a fully integrated thermo-mechanical pulp (TMP) mill. The paper machine and the TMP line were built in 1992 and the paper machine was rebuilt in 1999. The site has scope for production expansion in the future.

The sawmill started operations in autumn 2004. The annual sawmilling capacity is 150 000 m3. The Vinson companies own approximately 50 000 hectares of land, including 25 000 hectares of pine and 5 000 hectares of eucalyptus plantations, and are more than self-sufficient in wood supply.

The paper mill will be incorporated into Stora Enso's Publication Paper division and is the main focus in the acquisition. The sawmill and plantations will be incorporated into Stora Enso Forest Products division. The future development options for the sawmill and plantations are being evaluated. Stora Enso Latin America will have a supporting role in administration and sales.

Financial impact on Stora Enso
The Vinson acquisitions and Celbi Pulp Mill divestment are estimated to have the following net financial effects on Stora Enso: Stora Enso debt is estimated to decrease by EUR 100 million and the debt/equity ratio from 0.65 (end of June 2006) to 0.63. The acquisitions are moderately earnings per share (EPS) and cash earnings per share (CEPS) accretive.

Stora Enso in Latin America
Veracel Pulp Mill in Brazil, Stora Enso's joint venture, started production of low-cost, high-quality bleached eucalyptus pulp in May 2005. The annual capacity of the mill is 900 000 tonnes and the joint venture has 76 000 hectares of eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. The joint venture is exploring the possibility of building a second fibre line at the Veracel site. In addition, Stora Enso has been purchasing land for plantations in southern Brazil and Uruguay. The Latin America division headquarters is in São Paulo and the Group has sales offices in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Santiago de Chile and São Paulo through which it sells about 400 000 tonnes of paper and board annually.

For further information, please contact:

Jukka Härmälä, CEO, tel. +358 2046 21404
Hannu Ryöppönen, CFO, tel. +358 2046 21450
Bernd Rettig, SEVP, Stora Enso Publication Paper, tel. +49 2115 812 310
Nils Grafström, President, Stora Enso Latin America Division, tel. +55 1181 759 283
Kari Vainio, EVP, Corporate Communications, tel. +44 7799 348 197
Keith B Russell, SVP, Investor Relations, tel. +44 7775 788 659

 

Source: Stora Enso