UPM signs landmark conservation easement agreement in Minnesota, USA


UPM-Kymmene Corporation   Investor news  8 July 2010  at 19:00                  

UPM signs landmark conservation easement agreement in Minnesota, USA            

UPM today sold to the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources a      
conservation easement on 187,876 acres (76,000 hectares) of UPM-owned forest    
land in Northern Minnesota. UPM will receive USD 44 million (approximately EUR  
36 million) for the easement and will record a pre-tax capital gain of USD 42   
million (approximately EUR 34 million) in the Company's third quarter result.   

Under the conservation easement, UPM retains ownership of the land and its      
Blandin paper mill in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, will continue to use it as a     
working forest. The easement provides the public with access for recreational   
purposes such as hunting, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling in perpetuity. UPM's 
Blandin will continue to manage the forest under its unique Smart Forestry      
system which is designed to enhance productivity and support economic and       
environmental sustainability. The land is certified to comply with the          
Sustainable Forestry Initiative.                                                

The easement preserves conservation values which protect the recreational,      
working forest and natural and scenic resources of the affected land. Blandin   
can satisfy its obligations under the easement by continuing its certification  
by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The Minnesota Department of Natural     
Resources will conduct audits for compliance.                                   

"UPM believes in the multiple uses of our forest resources for economic,        
ecological and public benefit, and our forestry professionals have always       
managed the land for these varied uses," said Joe Maher, General Manager of UPM 
Blandin. "This landmark conservation easement in the US shows vision and        
cooperation, to the benefit of all groups who care about our forest lands. UPM  
is pleased to be part of it."                                                   

For further information please contact:                                         
Mr Joe Maher, General Manager, UPM, Blandin Mill, tel. +1 218 327 6398          
Mr Olavi Kauppila, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, tel. +358 204 150 
658                                                                             

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable  
and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials  
and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp,     
Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 23,000 people and it  
has production plants in 15 countries. In 2009, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 7.7 
billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM - The
Biofore Company - www.upmbiofore.com  and www.upm.com 

UPM-Kymmene Corporation                                                         
Olavi Kauppila                                                                  
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations                                       

UPM, Corporate Communications                                                   
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284                                               
communications@upm.com                                                          

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