AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, has announced:

• it has extended the expiry time for its offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Fibrek Inc. (TSX: FBK) to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 2;
• it has amended the minimum tender condition to its offer by lowering the threshold from 66 2/3% to 50.01% of Fibrek shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis; and
• although Fibrek's authorization, issuance or sale of special warrants constitutes, or would constitute, a "Restricted Event" under the terms of Resolute's offer, the Company does not expect to invoke the "Restricted Event" provisions with respect to the special warrants if, at the expiry time:
• • there is a decision of the Québec Court of Appeal reinstating the cease trade order with respect to the special warrants; and
  • no special warrant is outstanding and the Fibrek shares issued on conversion thereof, if any, have been canceled.

Assuming all the other conditions to Resolute's offer have been satisfied, at the expiry time on April 2, the Company will be able to take up all Fibrek shares deposited under its offer, provided that at that time at least 50.01% of the Fibrek shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis have been deposited and there is a cease trade order in effect relating to the special warrants. "Special warrants" refers to the Fibrek securities issuable to Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) (TSX: MRI.U) pursuant to a private placement disclosed by Fibrek and Mercer on February 10.

The offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fibrek made by Resolute, together with RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, is more fully described in the offer circular and other ancillary documentation that Resolute filed on December 15, 2011, on the "SEDAR" website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators, as varied and extended. The offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on April 2, 2012, unless it is extended or withdrawn by Resolute.  On March 20, approximately 60.3 million common shares of Fibrek had been deposited to Resolute's offer, representing approximately 46.4% of the outstanding common shares.

Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFS Ltd) has announced the commencement of the first public comment phase of the revision process of the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management(AS 4708), scheduled from 19 March to 18 May 2012.

The Standard Review Committee has already distributed the draft revised standard to a broad range of stakeholders in forest management seeking their comments. The Committee is seeking additional public comment on the draft standard via two public comment periods. In addition to this first public comment period, a second period will be based on a revised draft and is currently scheduled to be undertaken from June to August 2012.

"The Australian Forestry Standard is recognised as a world class standard and regular review and improvement is required to maintain this recognition," said the Chairman of the Standard Review Committee, Dr Paul Biggs.

"The Committee is made up of a broad range of interested and affected stakeholders and they are keen to get public feedback on the draft Standard to compare with their own views on how the Standard can be further improved," he added.

The Australian Forest Certification Scheme, of which AS4708 is a key component, is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). PEFC is the world's largest certification system for sustainable forest management and, as the only global forest certification system, requires and implements regular revisions of all endorsed standards every five years. PEFC's Sustainability Benchmarks have also continued to evolve in recent years and the Standard Review Committee has sought to ensure that the revised Australian Standard (AS4708) continues to be consistent with PEFC requirements.

The intensive public participation plan for the project is fully engaging all stakeholders groups and interested parties within and connected to sustainable forestry and the supply chain of wood and wood products. Couple this with rigorous adherence to international processes and guidelines, as well as an emphasis on science and evidence, this review project will ensure that this internationally recognised Australian Standard continues to be regarded as the most credible and robust forest certification tool.

The draft revision of the Standard and a submission form can be downloaded from theAFS Ltd. website.

Stora Enso plans to build plantation-based integrated board and pulp mills at Beihai city in Guangxi, southern China. The mill site will initially include a 450 000 tonnes per year state-of-the-art paperboard machine and pulp capacity of 900 000 tonnes per year, including necessary energy plant and auxiliary facilities. In a unique set-up, the board and pulp mills will be self-sufficiently integrated with wood supply from 120 000 hectares of self-managed eucalyptus plantations. The ultimate target is to expand the paperboard capacity to 900 000 tonnes at a later stage. The operations will be managed by an equity joint-venture company established by Stora Enso (85%) and the Guangxi Forestry Group (15%), a state-owned company under the Guangxi provincial government. The joint venture will serve the fast-growing market for liquid packaging board and other premium consumer board grades. 

The project investment will be approximately EUR 1.6 billion. Construction at the industrial site will commence when specific preconditions have been fulfilled, which is expected to be in the second half of 2012. Production is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2014. The investment will significantly support Stora Enso moving towards company’s 13% ROCE target.

The project will be financed through a combination of debt and equity on an approximately 60/40 basis. The debt financing is expected to be a mix of export credit agency, multilateral and commercial bank debt.

“Today we are taking another significant step in transforming Stora Enso into a global renewable materials company. We already have a globally leading position in renewable fibre-based packaging boards. We will now invest in a world-class integrated mill based on locally grown renewable materials for the benefit of local Chinese consumers in the fastest-growing market. Everything we do will be based on best-in-class technologies, environmental standards and sustainability practices – together with the local partners and communities” says Stora Enso CEO Jouko Karvinen.

“Generating sustainable returns from any business requires a unique offering to the customers, be it product or process benefits, in a cost-efficient way – or something that is very difficult for the competitors to copy, like integrating the operation from the plantations to the technically advanced product. This is exactly why we have chosen to differentiate ourselves through a range of specialised world-class board products and end-to-end integration – with the most cost-efficient solution for the Chinese market and at a globally competitive total cost,” says Stora Enso EVP for Renewable Packaging Mats Nordlander.

The investment is subject to regulatory approvals, the signing of final documentation and other customary conditions precedent.

Growth together with customers – strong growth forecast in fibre-based packaging in China

The fibre-based liquid packaging board segment is one of Stora Enso’s strategic focus areas and this investment is consistent with the Group’s announced strategic guidelines. Through this investment, Stora Enso seeks to benefit from the forecast future growth in demand for fibre-based packaging solutions for food in China, which is forecast by several researchers to grow at a compound annual rate of over 10% during the next ten years. This investment will also enable Stora Enso to provide excellent service with cost-competitive, locally produced high quality liquid packaging boards on a regional basis for its global key customers that are already well established in China.

Impact study supports the project

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the project for Stora Enso in 2006, and at Stora Enso’s request made an additional, integrated ESIA summary report which will be independently reviewed and published in 2012. The studies give a supporting view for the board and pulp mill project. When the project began, Stora Enso established a Community Development Fund to provide financial support for development of education and infrastructure in local villages, and in 2011 the Group revised its stakeholder engagement and community development plans. Stora Enso will co-operate with local authorities, universities, organisations and villagers to find long-term sustainable solutions for development. 

Stora Enso’s present operations in China

Stora Enso has been establishing plantations in Guangxi since 2002. The Group currently holds approximately 90 000 hectares, and is to establish sustainable eucalyptus plantations with an effective fibre base of 120 000 hectares to support the new pulp mill in Guangxi. The Group’s other operations in China include a 245 000 tonnes per year coated fine paper mill in Suzhou, a 170 000 tonnes per year uncoated magazine paper mill at Dawang, two core factories, five sales offices and the newly acquired majority shareholding in Inpac International, a packaging company with production operations in China and India, and service operations in Korea. The total number of employees in China is currently about 4 500. 

Pulp-Paperworld.com will be exhibiting at Paptech Finland 2012, you are welcome to come and see us at Stand F15.

We will be highlighting our new services that will be launched in Summer 2012.

The Kemira Board of Directors has decided to establish a new share-based incentive plan that follows already terminated 2009 - 2011 plan aimed at the strategic management members for the years 2012 - 2014, as part of the company's incentive and commitment schemes. The delivery of share rewards within the plan is subject to the achievement of the performance targets set by the Board of Directors, which include both internal and external performance targets. The internal target setting is divided into three one-year performance periods: 2012, 2013, and 2014. Payment depends on achievement of the set intrinsic value targets calculated from the development of EBITDA and the development of the net debt. The program also includes a three-year external goal, which is tied to the relative total shareholder return (TSR) performance during 2012 - 2014. As a guiding principle, reward will only be paid based on excellent performance.

The value of the aggregate reward paid out in the course of the three-year plan may not exceed 120% of CEO's and 100% of the other participants' gross salary for the same period. If the performance targets are achieved entirely, the maximum gross earning during the three-year plan is expected to be approximately 900,000 Kemira shares. The applicable taxes will be deducted from the gross earning and the remaining net value is delivered to the participants in Kemira shares.

Shares earned through the plan must be held for a minimum of two years following each payment. In addition, members of the Management Board must retain fifty per cent of the shares obtained under the plan until their ownership of Kemira shares based on shares obtained through the share-based incentive programs of Kemira has reached a share ownership level which in value equals at least their gross annual salary for as long as they remain participants in the plan.

The shares transferable under the plan comprise treasury shares or Kemira Oyj shares available in public trading.

In addition to the share-based incentive plan aimed at the strategic management members, Kemira has a share-based incentive plan aimed at other key personnel, in which members of the strategic management will not participate.

The share-based incentive plan aims to align the goals of shareholders and strategic management in order to increase the value of the company, motivate strategic management, and provide competitive shareholder-based incentives.

Ad in Special Edition of Newsweek Has a 1960s Feel, But the Message Still Applies: Studies Show You Read 30 Percent Faster

Domtar Corporation has announced that with Newsweek planning a retro edition to promote the new season of "Mad Men," Domtar will run a 1960s-style ad that shows while we live in a more digital age, people still read faster on paper.

"We've seen studies that show whether you're an executive or a millennial, people prefer to read on paper, and it's faster to read on paper," said Lewis Fix, Domtar's Vice-President of Sustainable Business and Brand Management. "Whether you are learning or sharing important information, there are good reasons to make sure people still read the material on paper."

The Domtar ad - part of its award-winning PAPERbecause campaign - will run in Newsweek's March 19 issue. It shows a boy dressed as a superhero and reading a comic book, while his mother proudly watches. The message: while entertainment options may have changed, people still enjoy reading on paper.

"A lot has changed since the 1960s, but we wanted to use this retro theme to make a serious point," Fix said. "There are several studies that prove there's a value in reading on paper that helps people learn and communicate."

Fix highlighted four studies, in particular:

• A 2011 survey of "millennials" (people born after 1985) showed that 65 percent think it's easier to view or read something on paper. About the same percentage of senior executives agree, according to a 2007 study. It showed that 59 percent trust printed material more than online sources, and that 60 percent prefer printed information when they need to do an in-depth analysis.
• A 2009 study revealed that 64 percent of workers prefer ink on paper rather than a screen when it comes to reading. The rate was even higher (70 percent) among employees of technology companies. Further research, conducted at Wayne State University, found that reading on paper is actually 10 to 30 percent faster than reading online, partly because it is easier to track where you are on the page.

Starting March 19, you can click here to see the Mad Men issue of Newsweek. To vote on your favorite ad in the issue, please visit this site.

SOURCE DOMTAR CORPORATION

Metso will supply Kipas Kagit Sanayi Isletmeleri A.S with a containerboard machine for their new mill site in Kahramanmaras in south-eastern Turkey. The start-up of the new machine is scheduled for 2013. The value of the order is approximately EUR 80 million.

Metso has order the engineering services for the new containerboard from finnish company CTS Engtec.

CTS Engtec´s commitment includes both basic and detailed engineering. CTS Engtec´s basic engineering services contain automation, electrical, plant and process engineering including HVAC. Detailed engineering contains as well automation, process and plant engineering. Project management assignment includes the scheduling of the project, procurement and scheduling of installation.

Metso’s delivery will comprise a complete high-technology board machine. The new machine will utilize gap forming technology which enables a higher production speed and production efficiency ratio for board machines. In addition, Metso’s extensive automation package will comprise process, machine and quality controls.

Cooperation with Russian Ilim Group

CTS Engtec has a 40-year long history in paper and board mill modernizations. During the past year the specialists of the company have been involved in two board machine rebuilds in M-real´s mills. CTS Engtec is responsible for rebuilds of board machines in Kemiart Liners and Simpele mills and expansion of sheeting plant in Simpele mill. The upgrading project of KU1 in Stora Enso´s Imatra mill was projected also during 2011.

Russia's forest industry has shown a green light to CTS Engtec´s subsidiary, which was established last year in St. Petersburg. The Russian forest giant Ilim Group has approved the company of the planning and engineering partner for Ilim Group's various production plants.

The first Q&A session in 2012 with Outotec's CEO Pertti Korhonen will be held on Monday 26 March, at 2.00 pm (Finnish time). Theme of the session will be the recent Numcore Ltd acquisition.

JOINING VIA WEBCAST

To follow the live webcast, please go to www.outotec.com/investors. The recording and transcript will be published and stored on Outotec's webcast center for on demand viewing.

JOINING VIA TELECONFERENCE

To ask questions on a live webcast, please dial:

FI/UK: +44 207 162 0025
US/CANADA: +1 334 323 6201
Password: 914176

An instant replay service of the webcast will be available until March 29, 2012 midnight on the following numbers:

UK: +44 207 031 4064
US: +1 954 334 0342
Access code: 914176

PRESENTING QUESTIONS

Participants may ask questions during the live webcast by joining the teleconference. In addition, questions may be sent in advance via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by March 26 at 10.00 am.

OUTOTEC PARTICIPANTS:

CEO Pertti Korhonen, CFO Mikko Puolakka and IR Rita Uotila.

The aim of the CEO's Q&A sessions is to give further clarity on information, which has been made public already earlier. Therefore, the company does not intend to publish separate announcements in connection with these sessions. Outotec has a large international and domestic investor base and gets numerous requests from the capital markets to provide information regarding company's operations. In order to serve the capital market efficiently, and ensure equal access to company-related information, the live webcast is recorded and it is available on demand for future references.

OUTOTEC OYJ

AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products ("Resolute"), has announced that the Québec Court of Appeal has accepted to hear the Company's appeal from the Court of Québec's decision reversing the cease trade order on Fibrek Inc.'s private placement of 32,320,000 special warrants to Mercer International Inc. The cease trade order was issued on February 23 in a decision of the Bureau de décision et de révision (Québec).  The appeal will be heard in the week of March 19, 2012.

Resolute also announced that it has extended the expiry date for its offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Fibrek to March 29, 2012.

The offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fibrek made by Resolute, together with RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, is more fully described in the offer circular and other ancillary documentation that Resolute filed on December 15, 2011, on the "SEDAR" website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators, as varied and extended. The offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on March 29, 2012, unless it is extended or withdrawn by Resolute.  As of the close of business on March 16, 2012, approximately 60.4 million common shares of Fibrek had been deposited to Resolute's offer, representing approximately 46.4% of the outstanding common shares.

Questions and requests for assistance or further information on how to tender Fibrek common shares to the offer should be directed to, and copies of the above referenced documents may be obtained by contacting, Georgeson at 1-866-598-0048 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.