Skärblacka paper mill faces production shutdown

If the members of the Swedish Paper Workers Union decide to carry out their notice of total stoppage of work at Billerud’s paper mill in Skärblacka at 06.00 CET tomorrow, 16 April, production at Skärblacka will come to a complete standstill. The loss of production is expected to affect Billerud’s earnings by approximately SEK 3 million per day, and will lead to one-time costs of approximately SEK 2.5 million for firing up and closing down the soda recovery boiler. These costs are exclusive of any compensation that may be received from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s strike fund (Sw. konfliktfond). “It is extremely unfortunate if the Paper Workers Union decides to close down this mill which is very important for Billerud and for our customers. This action will be detrimental for our key customers as well as for employment opportunities at the mill,” says Billerud’s President and CEO, Per Lindberg. For further information, please contact: Per Lindberg, President and CEO, +46 8 553 335 01 or +46 702 48 15 17 Bertil Carlsén, CFO, +46 8 553 335 07, +46 73 021 10 92 The information is such that Billerud is obligated to publish under the Swedish Securities Market Act. Submitted for publication at 10.50 a.m. on 15 April 2010.