On July 10, 2008, IFC (International Finance Corporation) publicly released the first environmental monitoring report for Botnia's Fray Bentos pulp mill in Uruguay since the mill began operating in November 2007. The assessment of operating performance was prepared by EcoMetrix Incorporated, an independent environmental consulting firm. The report finds that the mill is performing to the air and water quality standards projected in the Cumulative Impact Study and Environmental Impact Assessment, as required by IFC, and well within the limits established by the environmental permits issued by the Uruguayan regulator, DINAMA. This first six-month report, and the two annual reports that will follow at the end of 2008 and 2009, are required under provisions of the Environmental and Social Action Plan agreed between Botnia and IFC as a condition for IFC's financing of the mill. The Ecometrix report is attached.
Six-month environmental performance review shows that Fray Bentos mill performs to standards required
| Source: Metsä Fibre