M-real reducing the climate impact of its operations


04/06/2008
Press release 4.6.2008

M-real is actively working to mitigate climate change, primarily through the
development of its own operations. M-real is part of Metsäliitto Group's
Climate Programme that was launched to spearhead the actions. The programme
collects information on the Group's climate impacts and defines the goals and
the ways to reduce them. 

M-real aims to mitigate climate change, for example by continuously improving
its energy efficiency; processing renewable wood raw material; developing
lightweight products and investigating the possibilities to reduce emissions
and make more effective use of resources. 

M-real began investing more systematically in boosting energy efficiency with
the launch of the Group's two-year Energy Efficiency Optimisation project in
2006. The actions during 2006-2007 resulted in a reduction of CO2  emissions by
some 100,000 tonnes per year. Work will now continue with the implementation of
the Energy Efficiency System whereby energy efficiency will become an integral
part of M-real's management systems by the end of 2009. The company is
increasing its share of emission-free energy in its total energy consumption,
for example, biofuels account for 63 per cent for M-real's own energy
production. 

M-real's most important raw material is renewable wood from sustainably managed
forests. In 2007, some 70 per cent of the wood supplied to M-real's mills
originated from certified forests - the majority PEFC certified. 

Wood raw material is used responsibly, and by investing in materials
efficiency, for example, the aim is to produce the most economical and
sustainable end products as possible. M-real is the industry's forerunner in
material efficiency through its development of lighter boards and papers with
high visual properties. Lightweight products decrease the environmental impact
at all stages of their life cycle as they require less raw material, are lower
in transport weight and produce less waste. 

Today, M-real's customers' environmental awareness is more responsive than
ever. The product-specific carbon footprint is an excellent example of how
M-real has responded to its customers' increasing need for information.
Calculating the carbon footprint provides invaluable information on the
environmental impacts of products. Carbon footprint calculations are available
for M-real's products, such as the Paper Profile declarations which provide
product-specific information on key environmental parameters. 

For further information please contact:

Juha Laine
Vice President, Investor relations and communications
Mobile: +358 50 346 0350
Email: juha.laine@m-real.com