Regulatory
Press release
16 Nov 2001, 11:01 CET

Billerud to invest in Gruvön

Billerud to invest in Gruvön Billerud has decided to invest SEK 176 million in the number 4 paper machine at the Gruvön mill. This investment is a combination of maintenance and quality and capacity upgrades and mainly comprises a new wet end and control system. The new installation will enable the machine to produce two-layer paper. Capacity will increase from the present 85,000 tonnes to over 100,000 tonnes. As a result of this investment, the product programme on the machine will mainly focus on low-grammage white liner and high-quality kraft paper. Therefore, in the long term Gruvön will only produce white paper products. The rebuilding is planned to be completed by autumn 2002. Billerud's production of unbleached kraft and sack paper will be concentrated to Skärblacka. This is entirely in line with the programme regarding synergy effects which was presented when Billerud was formed. This investment is within the limits prescribed in the investment policy published earlier by Billerud - that annual investments should be on a par with depreciation. Stockholm, 16 November 2001 Billerud AB (publ) Corporate Communications For further information, please contact: Bert Östlund, President & CEO, +46 8 553 335 00 or Torbjörn Joghed, Senior Vice President, Gruvön Mill Manager, +46 555 410 20 or +46 70 538 10 20 Billerud manufactures and sells packaging paper, in the form of kraft paper and containerboard, as well as market pulp. Production is carried out at the Group's integrated pulp and paper mills in Gruvön, Karlsborg and Skärblacka. Billerud has a world-leading position within several well-defined product segments. The main customer base is Europe but also includes the rest of the world. Billerud has annual sales of approximately SEK 7 billion and 2,400 employees. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/11/16/20011116BIT00390/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/11/16/20011116BIT00390/bit0001.pdf