Huhtamaki supports strategy execution with organizational alignment, books restructuring and impairment charges. 2008 earnings outlook updated.

HUHTAMÄKI OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 16.12.2008 AT 8.30

Huhtamaki books restructuring and impairment charges of EUR 159
million in the fourth quarter 2008 and updates full year 2008 Group
EBIT outlook to approximately EUR 90 million, before impact of any
restructuring and impairment charges. Reasons for updated 2008
earnings outlook are soft market conditions as well as need to
mark-to-market inventory values downwards as a result of sharply
reduced raw material prices. The previous outlook expected Group EBIT
to be below the 2007 underlying Group EBIT of EUR 136 million. 2007
underlying Group EBIT excluded restructuring, goodwill impairment and
tangible asset impairment charges, total amount EUR 108 million.

Restructuring charges
Rigid packaging business organization is aligned with earlier
announced strategic direction. Rigid plastic Consumer Goods
operations in Europe and Oceania are reorganized as a separate,
standalone, business entity under strategic review.  This
reorganization will lead to a reduction of approximately 170
employees during the first half of 2009. The measures will improve
the competitiveness of the business and reduce the cost base by EUR 8
million on an annual basis. A one-time restructuring charge of EUR 8
million will be recorded for these measures in the fourth quarter of
2008. Including the restructuring charges of EUR 5 million from the
earlier announced processes in Phoenix and Malvern, USA, the total
fourth quarter restructuring charges amount to EUR 13 million.

Non-cash impairment charges
In addition, Huhtamaki will book non-cash goodwill and tangible asset
impairment charges of EUR 129 million in the fourth quarter of 2008,
mostly related to rigid plastics Consumer Goods businesses in Europe
and Oceania. Goodwill impairment charges of EUR 65 million and
tangible asset impairment charges of EUR 64 million result from the
adjustment of book values to lower future cash flow expectations.
Including the impairment charges of EUR 17 million from the processes
in Phoenix and Malvern, the total fourth quarter impairment charges
will amount to EUR 146 million.

Distribution of restructuring and impairment charges by segment
The distribution of the above mentioned charges of EUR 159 million by
reporting segment is following: Rigid Europe EUR 98 million, Rigid
and Molded Fiber Asia-Oceania-Africa EUR 36 million, Flexibles and
Films Global EUR 18 million, Rigid and Molded Fiber Americas EUR 5
million and Other activities EUR 2 million.


For further information, please contact:
Timo Salonen, CFO, tel. +358 (0)10 686 7880
Kia Aejmelaeus, Analysts and Investors, tel. +358 (0)10 686 7819
Minna Staffans, Media, tel. +358 (0)10 686 7863


HUHTAMÄKI OYJ
Group Communications


Huhtamaki Group is a leading manufacturer of consumer and specialty
packaging with 2007 net sales totaling EUR 2.3 billion. Consumer
goods and foodservice markets are served by some 15,000 people in 65
manufacturing units and several sales offices in 35 countries. The
parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, has its head office in Espoo, Finland
and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Additional information
is available at www.huhtamaki.com.