26 Mar 2012

Norske Skog sells Follum to Viken Skog

Norske Skog has entered into an agreement to sell the Follum site to Viken Skog, which has ambitious, future plans.

After the decision to close the mill at Follum, Norske Skog has worked to find relevant stakeholders to create new activities on the site. Norske Skog considers it a good solution that others can now take over the further development.

- Norske Skog is very pleased that Viken Skog will now take over the work to create new activities at Follum. It has been important for us to find a buyer with ambitions for the future, with support from Buskerud county Council, Ringerike municipality Council and regional businesses, and not least from the trade unions at Follum. I wish Viken Skog and the Ringerike region luck with the exciting development work, says president and CEO in Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt.

- Viken Skog will develop a new, future-oriented forest-based industry cluster at Follum. The location and the existing infrastructure, in the heart of Norway's richest forest areas make Follum a natural centre for an offensive strategy. It will be a milestone for the Ringerike region that Follum will now become a centre for sustainable development of environmentally friendly products from the forest. We have had good cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the process of forging our long-term industrial plans. We now expect the government to implement measures to promote innovation and research in forest-based industries, in order to contribute to the huge effort we now face, says managing director Ragnhild Borchgrevink.

The net sales proceeds are in the order of NOK 60 million. The sales price will be payable upon acquisition. The acquisition will take place in the second quarter of 2012. The sale will be implemented through Viken Skog purchasing Norske Skog Follum AS and Follum Industripark AS, as well as all properties related to the mill site, including Årbogen. Norske Skog will disassemble and retain parts of the technical production equipment. Norske Skog will discontinue production at Follum on Friday 30 March.

Sale of the Follum site will generate a total accounting gain in the order of NOK 30 million. This will be recognised in the first quarter of 2012. DHT Corporate Services and Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS acted as Norske Skog's financial advisors.

Oxenøen, 26th of March 2012

Norske Skog Viken Skog
Communication and public affairs Communication department
For more information:
Norske Skog media:
Vice President Communication
Carsten Dybevig
Phone: +47 917 63 117
Norske Skog finansmarkedet:
Vice President Investor Relations
Tom Rogn
Phone: +47 948 55 659
For Viken Skog:
Managing director
Ragnhild Borchgrevink
Phone: +47 917 59 300
For Viken Skog:
Senior adviser communication
Linda Camilla Strømsod
Phone: +47 926 83 644
 
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.