Södra to Liquidate Ownership


Stockholm, Sweden 21 February 2013 -- Södra has decided to divest the Tofte chemical pulp mill in Norway. This decision has been made as a result of longstanding difficulties with unsatisfactory profitability at the mill. A process has begun to sell the mill.

Södra Cell's management has been given the task of creating a divestment plan for Södra's ownership of the mill.

"We have been attempting for some time now to make Södra Cell Tofte profitable. The commitment and  expertise of the staff have kept quality and productivity at a high level, and they have fought valiantly to keep production costs low. Despite everything we've done, we are now forced to conclude that we have failed to reverse the trend," said Gunilla Saltin, Acting CEO of Södra and President of Södra Cell.

The aim is for Södra to end its involvement in the mill during the second quarter of this year.

Facts: Södra Cell Tofte

The mill in Tofte, Norway, was purchased by Södra in 2000. Its timber consumption is approximately 2 million m3 per year. Production capacity amounts to 400,000 tonnes of chemical paper pulp. The factory employs 300 staff.