Södra today announces an increase of USD 20 per tonne for softwood pulps in Europe. New price valid from June 1st is thus USD 980 per tonne.

"Pulp market remains solid. With strong demand and low stocks", says Ulf Edman, president of Södra Cell International.

For further information, please contact:
Ulf Edman, President of Södra Cell International, +46 70 677 8769
Per Braconier, Director of Corporate Communications, Södra, +46 70 534 5166

Further unilateral EU constraints and costs will threaten EU economy

The European Commission is discussing internally proposals by „Climate Action‟ Directorate to move the unilateral EU emission reduction target further down to -30%.

The Alliance of Energy Intensive Industries calls upon the Commission not to further develop a -30% unilateral policy, but to focus instead on international negotiations and the long term policy of meeting the 2050 targets while keeping a competitive industry in Europe.

Unfortunately COP15 in Copenhagen did not deliver a binding global agreement to tackle climate change. The EU offer in Copenhagen to move to -30% did not trigger readiness to accept similar binding commitments by other regions.

We recall that the EU had made the commitment to move to a -30% emission reduction by 2020 only "provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions and that developing countries contribute adequately according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities."

Scenarios suggesting that the EU could now move to a more ambitious target (since the costs did not in theory substantially exceed those originally envisaged for the 20% target) do not take into account new economic realities: the economic downturn has in fact dramatically reduced the capacity of EU industry and society to cope with unilateral burdens. Even a desirable fast economic recovery will not automatically put the EU in a position ready to take on additional unilateral constraints - prohibiting unrealistic, macro-economic forecasting and extrapolations.

Global growth of manufacturing industry will continue with or without EU participation. However, the EU has the choice to participate while providing the technologies necessary to reduce GHG emissions, or to stimulate an exodus of EU industry without developing breakthrough technologies in Europe.

The global economic crisis has not relieved carbon leakage pressures on EU industries: according to the EC, the EU lost millions of jobs (10% in 4Q2009) and 20% of manufacturing output during 2009. Currently „low‟ market prices of carbon reflect the collapse in consumer demand, the slow-down of economic activity of manufacturing industries and the consequent reduction in emissions. However, EU industries’ exposure to competing economies without carbon constraints has by no means decreased and must not be further increased by additional, unilateral policies that have proven to be unsuccessful in international negotiations earlier on.

It is unacceptable to suggest manipulating carbon markets by withholding allowances from the market in order to reach environmental objectives in isolation from the rest of the world. This would further destabilise industrial operators‟ prospects under the EU emissions trading system: cancelling allowances in order to reach even more ambitious targets restricts EU companies‟ ability to purchase emission rights, and causes increases of direct costs and electricity prices, further endangering industries’ ability to operate in Europe. Such

policies run against the EU Lisbon Agenda and the EU 2020 Strategy. Moreover, industry still awaits the regulatory proposal for compensation for the CO2 costs in electricity prices; these indirect cost impacts must also be integrated when assessing the risk of carbon leakage.

EU industries are already operating under the most stringent climate change and environmental policies worldwide while at the same time exposed to international competition. European Energy Intensive Industries will play their part in meeting the EU ETS 2020 target of -21% which effectively is 30% to 35% compared to 1990 levels. This already constitutes a major challenge to industry.

Industry understands the need to draft new policies after Copenhagen in order to meet the two degree objective, comparable to a global -50% by 2050 and to do so cost-effectively. However, only an international agreement that will include equal commitments from all developed countries and an adequate contribution of other developing countries, whilst also providing equal treatment and thus a level playing field for globally traded goods, will be able to tackle the global issue of climate change.

Europe’s energy-intensive industries have an aggregated turnover of more than 1000 billion Euros per year and provide direct employment to over 3 million people. Manufacturing is closely interlinked with Europe’s entire economic fabric, downstream processing, R&D and innovation.

For more information on this issue, please contact Marco Mensink, CEPI Energy and Environment Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stora Enso has signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a EUR 165 million loan to be used for research and development. The loan agreement is part of the commitment by EIB to lend altogether EUR 230 million to Stora  Enso, including the EUR 65 million loan announced on 10 February 2010.          

“We have a long and good relationship with EIB. This is its third loan for Stora Enso's research and development projects. We are pleased with the competitive terms of the loan,” says Stora Enso CFO Markus Rauramo.                         

“Stora Enso invested EUR 71.1 million in research and development in 2009. Research and development concentrates on steering of networked strategic research as well as operations and product development in three research centres: Imatra in Finland, Karlstad in Sweden and Mönchengladbach in Germany. The Packaging Business Area, for instance, focuses its research and development on sustainable fibre-based packaging materials and solutions,” says Jukka Kilpeläinen, Senior Vice President, Group R&D.                                  

For further information, please contact:                                        
Jyrki Tammivuori, SVP, Group Treasurer, tel. +358 2046 21043                    
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, Head of Investor Relations, tel. +358 2046 21242

Plenty of congratulations received the Heidelberg Print Media Academy (PMA) not only because of its tenth anniversary, but also for a top-class congress on learning from and with each other conducted on May 6, 2010 on the occasion of the anniversary. Some 200 guests took up the invitation issued by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) and gathered at the Print Media Academy.

Following a welcoming address and introduction by Heidelberg Management Board members Bernhard Schreier and Marcel Kiessling, Professor Norbert Walter, formerly Chief Economist at Deutsche Bank, set out the prospects for the future and for economic development.
Dr. Eike Wenzel from the Zukunftsinstitut (Institute for the Future) then gave a keynote speech highlighting the impact of new media and communication channels on social structures and customs.

Learning, training, and knowledge transfer are considered extremely important at Heidelberg -
a fact underlined by CEO Bernhard Schreier. "The opening of the Print Media Academy in Heidelberg ten years ago and the associated expansion of our international training activities laid the foundation for offering comprehensive practical training to our customers - and to our customers' customers. Without sound, ongoing training activities, it would be impossible to master the ever-changing day-to-day challenges we are now facing. We see learning and teaching as a life task," he said.

Representing the city of Heidelberg, mayor Dr. Joachim Gerner offered his congratulations and stressed how important the PMA was to the city and the region. "Heidelberg's economy is not based on smoking chimneys, but on state-of-the-art technology and services. The combination of universities, research laboratories, and other educational establishments creates a unique high-density knowledge network - a key requirement for innovation and development. In the ten years since it was founded, the Print Media Academy has become an important hub in this network," he stated.

Heidelberg customer Jörn Kalbhenn, proprietor and director of B&K-Offsetdruck in Ottersweier, summed up: "My experiences with the PMA - both as a member of the Advisory Board and a former student - have been extremely positive, and I would like to say thank you for all the productive and informative years. It never ceases to amaze me how this state-of-the-art institution combines training with unusually high levels of synergy through the facilitation of international contacts. The wide range of opportunities offered by the PMA is an effective way of enabling companies and their personnel to make progress. The Academy also provides a valuable platform for discussion within the framework of interesting events and lectures. I hope the excellent program will continue and I look forward to some new ideas and opportunities," said Kalbhenn.

Center for training at all levels
From equipment and specialist training to management seminars, the Print Media Academy (PMA) provides a comprehensive and practical range of training at all levels to prepare employees and companies in the print media industry for a successful future. Specialists from Heidelberg team up with external experts to train participants on state-of-the-art equipment and deliver lectures on topical issues in the sector. The latest project is a collaboration with the ifm (Institute for Small Business Research) at the University of Mannheim - a seminar with relevance beyond the borders of the graphic arts industry that, for the first time, is open to anyone with an interest in smoothing the way for corporate succession.

Every year, some 7,000 to 9,000 people take part in the PMA's training courses and seminars.

Global network
The Print Media Academy in Heidelberg is the hub of a global network extending across 18 locations in 15 countries. It offers training courses and seminars for employees and decision-makers in the print media industry. The program is globally coordinated yet also caters to specific local needs. Ongoing communication between sites ensures the up-to-dateness and internationality of information and content.

Venue
The Print Media Academy in Heidelberg has also become firmly established as a regional and national conference and event center. Companies both large and small from the Rhine-Neckar region regularly hold seminars and forums at the PMA. They particularly appreciate the conference rooms' cutting-edge technical equipment and the excellent links with the train station and local public transport network. 
Even organizing large events such as product launches in the automotive industry is no problem for the PMA team. The swing door was recently dismantled to give Porsche & Co access to the generously proportioned foyer.
The PMA welcomes some 50,000 visitors every year.

"Passion for Print" exhibition
The permanent exhibition "Passion for Print" in the basement of the PMA provides an interactive multimedia presentation on the medium of print and print production. A tour gives visitors an insight into how a print product is produced and the role Heidelberg plays in this process.

The building
Since it opened on April 14, 2000, the PMA has become one of Heidelberg's landmarks. It proudly appears alongside the castle and the Old Bridge in brochures of all kinds. The materials and architecture create a sense of transparency and a feeling of lightness and openness that defies the building's size (it has 37-meter sides and is 50 meters high). This openness extends to the public - the PMA is open to all, welcoming guests, passers-by, and anyone curious enough to want to take a look inside. A lounge on the ground floor is the perfect place to sit and enjoy culinary delights and cocktails, while diners at Manfred Schwarz's restaurant on the twelfth floor can expect top-quality fare.

The front of the Print Media Academy is dominated by the "S-Printing Horse", a metal sculpture 13 meters high by Jürgen Goertz.

Picture 1: The Print Media Academy in Heidelberg.

Picture 2: Print Media Academy banner on the occasion of its 10-year anniversary in 2010.

For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Claudia Cischek
Telephone: +49 (0)6221 92 57 05
Telefax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 69
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Decisions made at the meeting

Dividend
The meeting decided, in accordance with the Board's proposal, that SEK 0.50 per share should be distributed to the shareholders and that the record date for the dividend should be 7 May 2010. The dividend is estimated to be delivered from Euroclear Sweden AB on 12 May 2010.

Election of Board members and Chairman of the Board
The meeting decided to re-elect Ingvar Petersson, Gunilla Jönson, Michael M.F. Kaufmann, Per Lundberg, Ewald Nageler, Yngve Stade and Meg Tivéus as ordinary Board members and that no deputy members were to be elected. The meeting also decided to re-elect Ingvar Petersson as Chairman of the Board and Michael M.F. Kaufmann as Deputy Chairman of the Board.

Nominations Committee for 2011 Annual General Meeting
The meeting decided that the nominations committee shall comprise a maximum four members. The Chairman of the Board shall be the secretary of the Nominations Committee. During the autumn of 2010 the Chairman shall contact the major shareholders (judged by size of shareholding) regarding the formation of a Nominations Committee. The names of the members of the Nominations Committee, and the names of the shareholders they represent, shall be published six months at the latest before the 2011 Annual General Meeting and be based upon the known shareholding immediately before the announcement. Unless Committee members decide otherwise, the chairman of the Nominations Committee shall be the member representing the largest shareholder (judged by size of shareholding). The Committee forms a quorum when more than half of its members are present.

Transfer of shares due to the decision on Long Term Incentive Programme at the Annual General Meeting of 2007 ("LTIP 2007")
The meeting decided in order to fulfill its obligations under the LTIP 2007 on transfer of a maximum of 160,000 of the company's own shares to be transferred to participants in the LTIP 2007 in the form of so-called matching shares and performance shares and that the Board shall be entitled to transfer a maximum of 50,000 shares of the total own possession of shares in Billerud, in order to cover certain costs, mainly social security costs, relating to LTIP 2007. Transfer of the shares shall be affected on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm at a price within the price interval registered at each time for the share. The reasons for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights are that it is an advantage for Billerud to transfer shares in accordance with the proposal in order to meet the requirements of the approved incentive program.

The introduction of Long Term Incentive Programme 2010 and transfer of shares under the Long Term Incentive Programme ("LTIP 2010")
The meeting decided on the introduction of LTIP 2010 and of transfer of shares under LTIP 2010. LTIP 2010 comprises a total of maximum 90 managers and other key employees within the Billerud Group. To participate in LTIP 2010, the participants must purchase Billerud shares at market price on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. Previously held Billerud shares may also be included in the required investment. Thereafter, the participants will, after a three year vesting period, free of charge, be alloted Billerud shares, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled, such as certain performance conditions relating to financial targets during the period 2010-2012.

Authorisation for the Board to decide on the transfer of the company's own shares
The Meeting decided to authorise the Board, during the period up to the next Annual General Meeting, on one or more occasions and with deviation from preferential rights for shareholders, to decide on transfer of Billerud own shares that the company holds at the time of the Board's decision, either to a third party as payment in connection with acquisition of companies, and/or as a transfer on the stock exchange in order to raise liquid funds for payment in connection with such acquisitions.

Other
Furthermore the meeting decided to adopt the income statement and the balance sheet as well as the consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet for 2009, on discharge from personal liability for Board Members and the CEO for their administration for the year 2009, on fees for Board Members and remuneration for Committee work and fees for the auditors, and to approve the Board's proposal for guidelines for remuneration to senior executives.

Billerud AB (publ)

Per Lindberg
President and CEO

For further information, please contact:
Per Lindberg, President and CEO, +46 8 553 335 01 or +46 70 248 15 17
Bertil Carlsén, CFO, +46 8 553 335 07 or +46 730 211 092

Sydney-based print shop Macdonald & Masterson has merged with Southern Colour Printing in a move directors say will boost its presence in the market without going further into debt.

Peter Bounas director of Macdonald & Masterson told Australian Printer the decision to merge was influenced by Southern Colour’s equipment and accreditation portfolio. The company hosts two A1 Heidelberg presses as well as its ISO, FSC and PEFC certifications.

He says, “Our business was getting to the point where we had to make some important choices so we decided to go with Southern Colour as they already had the equipment we wanted and the accreditations, which are becoming more important in the market.”

Bounas continues, “The industry is ripe for consolidation at the moment and our two companies were an ideal fit in terms of the markets we operate in. We also had a healthy respect for each other.”

Around half of Macdonald & Masterson’s 22 staff will make the move to Southern Colour’s premises in St Leonards with the rest to be made redundant. The majority of the equipment from the company’s Botany site will be sold.

After the merger is finalised Macdonald & Masterson will be operating under the Southern Colour name. Peter Bounas will be employed by Southern Colour as an account manager.

Organisers of the Australian Institute of Packaging national conference have lined up eight international speakers and thirty six in total over the two-days the conference will be held in June.

International speakers include Thomas Schneider, vice president of the World Packaging Organisation; Asma Siddiqi of Euromonitor International; and Dr Mike Okoroafor, vice president of Packaging R&D/Innovation at HJ Heinz.

Organisers say the conference is ideally suited for the food, beverage, manufacturing and packaging industries, and designed for both personal and professional development, offering networking opportunities with like-minded packaging experts. Keynote speakers include Brad Teys, managing director of Snapsil Corporation; Jacqueline Moth, general manager Marketing & Sales, O-I Asia Pacific; Chris Mooney, managing director, Planet Green Corporation; Angela Nicholls, sustainability communications manager, Visy; John Ward, LeMac Australia Group; and Dr Helen Lewis of the Sustainable Packaging Alliance.

Open to both Members and non-members, the conference takes place on June 16-17 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria.

Ahlstrom, a global leader in the development and manufacture of high performance nonwovens and specialty papers, will consolidate its nonwoven wiping fabrics manufacturing platform in Italy, with the aim of increasing capacity, efficiency and breadth of product range.

The production of wipes will be located in two out of three existing manufacturing sites: Mozzate and Cressa, while the Carbonate plant will be closed. All the plants are located in the Milan region and belong to Home & Personal Nonwovens business area.

The consolidation will not have any major impact on personnel or cause significant non-recurring costs. The company plans to complete the project by early 2011.

Ahlstrom is a leading manufacturer of wiping fabrics, offering a broad range of materials and technologies for diverse wiping applications. The company manufactures wiping fabrics at its sites across Europe, USA and South America.

For further information, please contact:
Seppo Parvi, CFO, tel. +358 10 888 4768
Jean-Marie Becker, Executive Vice President, Home & Personal Nonwovens, tel. +33 476 45 35 15

Sonoco one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced that it is investing $2.8 million at its 100 percent uncoated recycled paper mill, located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The investment includes the installation of two high-efficiency, natural gas-fired boilers that will supply steam to the mill's papermaking process. Construction of a new building and installation of the boilers is expected to be completed in August 2010.

The Holyoke mill has been making paper for 136 years. Sonoco has the last running paper machine in "Paper City" with an annual output of 66,000 tons of uncoated recycled paperboard. Sonoco also manufactures paper tubes and cores at a separate location in Holyoke that uses approximately 80 percent of the paperboard produced at the Company's neighboring paper mill. The two locations combined employ more than 135 people.

Holyoke Gas and Electric (HG&E) announced in mid-2009 that it would cease steam production operations by late third quarter 2010, citing a major decrease in industrial demand as the key driver for its decision. Sonoco worked closely with HG&E to develop a mutually acceptable exit strategy and the Company will continue to purchase electricity and natural gas for the new boilers from HG&E.

Dave Schultz, Sonoco plant manager, states, "There has been true collaboration throughout a very difficult time for both parties. Jim Lavelle and his team have been outstanding to deal with throughout this process. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with HG&E and the City as we prepare for the future."

Schultz added that Sonoco would also like to thank U.S. Congressman John W. Olver, State Senator Michael Knapik, State Representative Michael F. Kane, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Kathleen Anderson at the City of Holyoke Economic Development for their continued support.

Sonoco is a strong supporter of local environmental sustainability as it uses recycled old corrugated containers (cardboard boxes), mixed office waste and newspapers from local communities to produce paperboard that achieves 85 percent post-consumer status for its converted products. As a result, Sonoco has earned certifications through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (PwC-SFICOC-294) and Forest Stewardship Council (SW-COC-003307). Sonoco's Holyoke mill recycled a total of 62,900 tons of local post-consumer waste in 2008. Sonoco also runs the only loose paper collection operation that pays cash to local neighbors to drop off cardboard and newspapers to make paper.

About Sonoco

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a $3.6 billion global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with more than 300 operations in 35 countries, serving customers in some 85 nations. For more information on the Company, visit our Web site at http://www.sonoco.com.

SOURCE: Sonoco

Sonoco
Roger Schrum, 843-339-6018
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.