Stora Enso upgrades and expands its sawmilling operations in Russia
STORAENSO OYJ Stock Exchange Release 22 August 2006 at 12.05
Stora Enso upgrades and expands its sawmilling operations in Russia Stora Enso is investing EUR 31.5 million in its Nebolchi Sawmill and EUR 12.5 million in its Impilahti Sawmill. These investments will enhance the competitiveness of Stora Ensos sawmilling business and wood procurement in Russia. Impilahti sawmill started operations in 2003 and Nebolchi in 2004 producing fresh sawn timber. The investments will upgrade the sawmills to manufacture products with added value. The investments will also improve access to the fast-growing building material markets in Russia. At Nebolchi Sawmill the investment will allow all the output to be kiln dried and 100 000 m3 per year of new on-line planing capacity to be targeted at the European and Russian do-it- yourself (DIY) markets. The production capacity of the sawing line will be almost doubled to 220 000 m3 per year. This project will start by the end of this year and is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of 2008. The number of employees is expected to increase by 57. At Impilahti Sawmill kiln drying facilities will be added and production capacity increased slightly to 140 000 m3 per year. This project will start during autumn this year and is scheduled to be completed during the third quarter of 2007. The number of employees is expected to increase by 11. For further information, please contact: Peter Kickinger, Executive Vice President, Stora Enso Timber, tel. +43 664 182 5348 Kari Vainio, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +44 7799 348 197 Keith B Russell, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, tel. +44 7775 788 659 www.storaenso.com www.storaenso.com/investors STORA ENSO OYJ p.p. Jussi Siitonen Minna Taukojärvi