Helsinki, Finland 22 June 2015 -- UPM permanently closes paper machine No.3 at UPM Chapelle Darblay in France as of today, 22 June. The consultations regarding its closure were finalised at the end of April and approved by the Labour administration in the beginning of June. The plan to close the machine was announced in November 2014. The closure has an impact on 187 positions at the mill.

UPM Chapelle Darblay will continue paper production on the remaining paper machine No.6 producing standard newsprint and improved grades (MFS) with an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes.

"This year the European newsprint market has faced even stronger headwind than expected. However, our collective actions will ensure the efficient use of our remaining capacity and secure reliable deliveries to our customers," says Bernd Eikens, Executive Vice President, UPM Paper ENA.

The announced decision is part of UPM's EUR 150 million profit improvement target introduced in November 2014.The full profit improvement programme includes variable and fixed cost savings in all UPM businesses and functions.

UPM Chapelle Darblay

After the closure UPM Chapelle Darblay manufactures standard and special newsprint (MFS) with the annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes. Located in Northern France the mill employs 211 people.

UPM Paper ENA

(Europe & North America) is the world's leading producer of graphic papers, serving customers in Magazine Publishing & Advertising, Merchants, Home & Office, and Newspaper Publishing. A leader in sustainable and high performance papers, UPM Paper ENA's production is located in Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, and the United States. With headquarters in Germany, UPM Paper ENA employs approximately 10,000 people. To learn more about UPM Paper ENA, visit: www.upmpaper.com

UPM in brief

Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 20,000 people and its annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com