Another strong quarter

Another strong quarter

 

CEO Per Lindberg comments on the development during Q2 2011:

“Billerud's earnings remain strong. We have an operating margin of 12%,
a cash flow from operating activities of 20% of sales and a return on
equity of 19%. The SEK 57 million lower operating profit compared with
the first quarter mainly corresponds to costs for the periodic
maintenance shutdown in Skärblacka which was carried out in the second
quarter. So underlying earnings for the second quarter were just as
strong as in the previous quarter. The market situation remained
favourable with a good balance in the markets. The very strong order
books and sold volumes during the first quarter are now down at more
normal levels, however. Price increases announced in the first quarter
have had an effect and the increases implemented compensated for higher
costs and the stronger Swedish krona.

Efforts to strengthen Billerud's competence and understanding of end
customers' requirements for packaging and packaging solutions are
ongoing. During the second quarter we accepted ten new, young trainees
to our trainee programme which was started last year. They start their
training in the autumn together with a number of internally recruited
talents. Our further development of the product FibreForm® has led to a
number of new customer contacts with whom we are working to develop new
packaging solutions.

Billerud is strengthening its position within the packaging industry by
investing in a minority stake in PACCESS Packaging, a US based company
with numerous operations throughout Asia. This investment marks an
additional step for Billerud to become a more customer- and
solution-driven company. We see that packaging optimisation with regard
to function, material, design and sustainability are becoming
increasingly important to brand owners. With Billerud's expertise with
renewable materials and PACCESS Packaging's established customer base,
broad knowledge of packaging development and deep experience in Asia, we
will create a strong platform for future growth. We will immediately
expand our position in Asia, a key growth market.

I see good opportunities for a continued positive development for
Billerud, in both the short term and going forward.”

Solna, 21 July 2011
Billerud AB (publ)

Per Lindberg
President and CEO

For further information please contact:
Per Lindberg, President and CEO, +46 8 553 335 01 or +46 70 248 15 17
Bertil Carlsén, CFO, +46 8 553 335 07 or +46 73 021 10 92

The information is such that Billerud is obligated to publish under the
Swedish Securities Market Act. Submitted for publication at 10.32 CET on
21 July 2011.