Billerud reports strengthened position

CEO Per Lindberg comments on the development during Q4 2010:

“I am happy, pleased and impressed by our performance during 2010. We leave 2010 with an operating margin of 15% for our packaging paper in the fourth quarter. For the full-year 2010 the Group achieved, for the first time since our financial targets were set in 2006, an operating margin of 12%, well above our 10% target over a business cycle. Demand for our products showed a very strong increase during the year, and we can see that our focused approach has achieved results.

2010 is a year we can look back at and see that we successfully broke new ground. This is particularly gratifying since our line of approach contradicts a widely held notion in the industry that large-scale operations are the key to success. Instead, I believe that the explanation for success is a strong focus on a single area – in our case selected packaging segments – and being in the forefront in development of material and solutions. I am convinced that Billerud has a strong platform from which to offer products that have environmental sustainability as fundamental properties. We will continue to develop our offering with alternatives to traditional plastic in packaging and can see clear signs that our customers and business environment appreciate the route Billerud has chosen. We approach 2011 with confidence and see good opportunities to continue to develop Billerud and create shareholder value from our strengthened position.”

Solna, 15 February 2011
Billerud AB (publ)

Per Lindberg
President and CEO

For further information please contact:
Per Lindberg, President and CEO, +46 8 553 335 01 or +46 70 248 15 17
Bertil Carlsén, CFO, +46 8 553 335 07 or +46 73 021 10 92

The information is such that Billerud is obligated to publish under the Swedish Securities Market Act. Submitted for publication at 08.02 CET on 15 February 2011.

Billerud’s business concept is to offer demanding customers packaging materials and solutions that promote and protect their products – packaging that is attractive, strong and based on renewable materials. Billerud has a world-leading position within several product segments including paper for consumer packaging and industrial applications. Production takes place at three integrated pulp and paper mills in Sweden and at one paper mill in the UK.

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