Raisio, a European pioneer, created a new indicator

Raisio plc  Press release 17 April 2008                                          

Raisio, a European pioneer, created a new indicator                             
ELOVENA OATS NOW COME WITH A CO2 EMISSIONS LABEL                                

Raisio has equipped its Elovena oats with a label that indicates the CO2        
emissions of the product. A European pioneer in the sector, the company has thus
created a new labelling indicator. When making purchasing decisions, consumers  
want information about the environmental impact of foods. Raisio answers this   
need with the introduction of its CO2 label. The company will now determine the 
CO2 emissions of its other products and add the label to other consumer products
in order to further develop the new indicator.                                  

The CO2 emissions of Elovena oats, from cultivation through processing to store 
warehouse, are only around 37 grams per 100 grams of oats. This is an extremely 
low emissions level. In other words, Elovena's overall impact on the environment
is positive.                                                                    

In his speech at Raisio's Research Foundation's ecology seminar on 17 April     
2008, CEO Matti Rihko said that Raisio is probably the world's first food       
company to show the CO2 balance, as well as the CO2 emissions, on a product     
package. One hundred grams of Elovena oats correspond to some 300 grams of      
biomass (grains and crop). This amount of biomass binds around 500 grams of     
carbon dioxide. According to a modified version of the balance calculation model
adopted by the forest industry, the CO2 balance of 100 grams of Elovena oats is 
approximately 460 grams negative. In other words, the volume of atmospheric CO2 
bound by biomass exceeds the volume of CO2 released during processing. This     
clearly shows the advantages of plant-based, locally produced nutrition when    
searching for solutions to the global climate challenge.                        

Worldwide analyses of the CO2 emissions from foods are few in number. So far,   
most of them have focused on the processing stage. The calculation model used in
Raisio's indicator is based on studies conducted by MTT Agrifood Research       
Finland. In the future, food packages will include a CO2 emissions label        
alongside the now familiar nutritional facts label.                             

“I believe that in 2008 the effects of climate change will begin to have an     
increasing impact on consumer choices, and that people will move from words to  
action. The CO2 emissions of foods are of interest to consumers - and for a good
reason: food accounts for around one-third of the CO2 emissions of Finns, with  
living and traffic accounting for one-third respectively. Plant-based, locally  
produced food reduces CO2 emissions and decreases the ecological footprint of   
each of us,” says Rihko. He believes that Raisio, as a pioneer in ecological,   
plant-based nutrition and as one of Europe's most innovative companies in the   
grain field, is well positioned to meet the new challenges facing the food      
industry.                                                                       

Raisio's Research Foundation awards grants totalling EUR 233,300                

Raisio's Research Foundation arranged its annual seminar on 17 April 2008. This 
year's event focused on the operating environment, which was analysed with      
reference to global trends.                                                     

In 2008 the Foundation awarded a record amount of grants - EUR 233,300 - for    
research on human and animal nutrition. Grants were awarded to 15 researchers or
research groups. In addition, the Research Foundation gave six recognition      
awards for the best Master's theses in the field.                               

Says Ilmo Aronen, representative of the Raisio's Research Foundation: “The      
Foundation's goal is to move the focus of its operations more and more towards  
research schools. The funding decisions reflected this policy, as five of the   
grants were given for brand-new research projects aiming at doctoral            
dissertations, six grants were given for ongoing dissertation research projects 
and four grants for the completion of dissertation work.”                       

“It is vital for the Finnish food industry to ensure its competence throughout  
the business chain. Sufficient inputs in research work towards this end. This is
why the Raisio's Research Foundation supports high-quality research and further 
qualification of young researchers,” says Aronen.                               

The Research Foundation's grants will next be available for application in      
January 2009.                                                                   

RAISIO PLC                                                                      

Heidi Hirvonen                                                                  
Communications Manager                                                          
Tel. +358 50 567 3060                                                           

Further information:                                                            
Matti Rihko, CEO, tel. +358 400 830 727