North America

The third financial quarter is seasonally our weakest, due to typically lower demand in Europe and North America and the scheduling of planned annual maintenance shuts at most of our major pulp mills.

2013 was an important transitional year for Sappi with the commissioning of major capital projects and further repositioning of the business. Our strategy to reposition Sappi for growth, higher margins and improved profitability is on track.

The group returned to positive earnings in the quarter with an EBITDA excluding special items of US$147 million, an operating profit excluding special items of US$60 million and a profit for the period of US$18 million.

The past quarter saw an improvement in the operating performance of all three of our operating regions, despite tough market conditions overall.

Sappi today confirmed that they have concluded the sale of Sappi’s Usutu Forest Products Company Limited to local Swaziland business Montigny Investments.

Brussels, 31 March 2011 - Sappi Fine Paper Europe envisages the closure of its Biberist Mill in Switzerland in response to market conditions and sustained increases in input costs and begins consultations

Brussels - Sappi Fine Paper Europe announced today that it will cease production of coated graphic paper at its Biberist paper mill in Switzerland. After due and thorough consideration during the consultation process with local employees ending on 16 May 2011 the definitive decision to discontinue the coated graphic paper production was taken.

After an exhaustive search for possible purchasers for its Biberist mill in Switzerland, Sappi Fine Paper Europe has today announced that it has been unsuccessful in its attempts to find a suitable acquirer to allow continued operations and employment at the mill.

Sappi Fine Paper Europe begins consultations regarding the future of its Nijmegen mill in the Netherlands. Action required in response to market conditions and sustained increase in input costs

Sappi Fine Paper Europe has confirmed investment plans over the next three years amounting to approximately €120 million for its two leading coated graphic paper mills which will significantly reduce the cost base and improve the profitability of these two worldclass mills.