98.8 percent degree of acceptance in Custos - redemption program

98.8 percent degree of acceptance in Custos' redemption program Shareholders in AB Custos (publ) ("Custos") have submitted 6,085,437 shares in Custos for redemption through the redemption offer that expired on January 22, 2001. A total of 4,942,324 SCA Series A shares and 7,228,550 SCA Series B shares corresponding to a value of SEK 2.5 billion will be transferred to Custos´ shareholders. Acceptance of redemption offer An extraordinary general meeting in Custos resolved on December 5, 2000 to issue redemption rights in Custos. Persons who on the record date of December 15, 2000 were shareholders in Custos received one redemption right for each Custos share held. Four redemption rights carried entitlement to redemption of one Custos share for payment in the form of two shares in SCA of either Series A or Series B. The redemption offer involves a total of 6,157,320 shares in Custos, corresponding to 12,314,640 SCA shares. The application period for the redemption offer expired on January 22, 2001. A total of 6,085,437 shares in Custos were tendered in the redemption offer carrying entitlement to distribution of 4,942,324 SCA Series A and 7,228,550 SCA Series B shares. Accordingly, the degree of acceptance was 98.8 percent. On February 8, 2001, the Board of Directors intends to propose the extraordinary general meeting in Custos to decide on redemption of the Custos shares submitted through the redemption offer. Contingent upon the extraordinary general meeting making the necessary decisions, the number of Custos shares outstanding will amount to 18,030,654 . Trading in redemption rights and delivery of SCA shares Trading in Custos Series A and Series B redemption shares, which carry entitlement to two SCA Series A or SCA Series B shares begins on January 31, 2001 and concludes on February 19, 2001. Assuming that the extraordinary general meeting makes the necessary decisions, delivery of the SCA shares will occur on or about February 26, 2001. Commission-free sales The average sales proceeds in the commission-free sale of redemption rights amounted to SEK 32.53 per redemption right. The consideration to be paid for the sales rights sold through the commission-free sales will be reported to the shareholders involved on or about January 31, 2001. Stockholm, January 29, 2001 AKTIEBOLAGET CUSTOS (publ) Christer Gardell Chief Executive Officer For further information, contact: Katarina Berg, +46 (0)8 440 57 70 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/29/20010129BIT00810/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/29/20010129BIT00810/bit0002.pdf