The Industry Minister opens new NOK 220 million thermo-mechanical pulp plant at Norske Skog in Halden

The Industry Minister, Monica Mæland, will officially open the new thermo-mechanical pulp plant at Norske Skog Saugbrugs in Halden tomorrow, 6 March 2014, at 10:00 CET.

Norske Skog has invested NOK 220 million in an expansion and renewal of the thermo-mechanical pulp plant at Norske Skog Saugbrugs in Halden. The old pulp plant has been replaced by a modern facility, which will supply pulp to the paper machines at a much lower cost than today.

Cost savings consist mainly of lower energy- and pulp consumption and lower maintenance costs. Increased use of wood pulp in the paper will also result in improved paper quality. Enova has subsidised the project with NOK 50 million, because of the significant energy savings from the project.

- Investment in the new pulp plant gives increased competitiveness through a significant improvement in energy efficiency. We are doing this as part of efforts to maintain the continued operations at Saugbrugs. We wish in particular to thank Enova who have given significant financial support for this project, says president and CEO in Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt.

- This is an exemplary project. By adopting this technology, Norske Skog will become a world leader in energy-efficient pulp production. We support improved energy efficiency in industry because such projects are essential to strengthen the reliability of supply in Norway, says the CEO of Enova. We support energy and climate solutions that contribute to reduced energy consumption and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. With such projects, Norske Skog has become a spearhead in its efforts to create a greener industry in Norway, and we look forward to new projects, says the CEO of Enova, Nils Kristian Nakstad.

Norske Skog Saugbrugs has 520 employees. The mill has an annual production capacity of 530 000 tonnes of magazine paper.

Oslo, 6 March 2014

Norske SkogEnovaCommunications and Public AffairsCommunication department
For further information:Norske Skog media:
Vice President corporate communication
Carsten Dybevig
Mob: +47 917 63 117For Enova:
Senior communication advisor
Evy Aspheim
Mob: +47 406 09 502
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Norske Skog via Globenewswire
HUG#1766629