International Paper Company and Temple-Inland Inc. have announced that they have reached an agreement with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") with respect to International Paper's acquisition of Temple-Inland. As part of the agreement, the DOJ has entered into a consent decree with International Paper and Temple-Inland that allows the combination to proceed. The companies expect to complete the transaction promptly.
Under the terms of the consent decree filed in federal court in the District of Columbia, the combined company will undertake the post close divesture of 970,000 tons of containerboard mill capacity within four months, with the possibility of two 30-day extensions. The company agreed to divest Temple-Inland's facilities in Ontario, California and New Johnsonville, Tennessee, and International Paper's facility in Hueneme, California. International Paper reaffirms that it expects to achieve at least $300 million of synergies within twenty-four months of closing.
International Paper Chairman and CEO John Faraci said, "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the DOJ that addresses their concerns and preserves the value in the combination of these two fine companies. As we take the final steps to closing, we look forward to a smooth integration and to realizing the substantial benefits this transaction provides our customers, employees and shareholders."