Gap Widened Between EU and U.S. Corrugated Basis Weights

Twenty percent heavier basis weights in U.S. versus Europe

BRUSSELS, April 19, 2010 - Packaging trends in Europe are compared with the U.S. since they occupy
similar geographic areas, have similar climates and topographical features,
and their containerboard companies supply many of the same global food,
beverage and consumer goods companies. However, average basis weights of
corrugated are now 20% lighter in Europe than the U.S., as shown in the new
study published today by RISI, The Future of Lightweight Containerboard in
North America. This reflects a proactive cultural change in Europe, with
sustainability high on the agenda and government environmental initiatives
with targets and penalties for non-compliance implemented across the supply
chain, and supported by trade groups and NGOs.

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Author of the study and industry expert Sarilee Norton says, "A critical
look at the geographic factors, the fiber considerations and the supply chain
drivers that distinguish Europe from North America are not different enough
to continue to explain a 20% differential in average basis weights.
Sustainability, packaging efficiency and cost savings are vitally important
considerations to North American corrugated users as well as those in
Europe."

Since 2000 only three new machines have been built in North America,
compared with thirty-two in Europe. Modern machines, or conversions of
existing machines, can produce extra-lightweight containerboard (under 26#)
more quickly and economically. Many corrugators currently operating in North
America are fully capable of running extra-lightweight constructions, and an
analysis of current North American and European containerboard machine
capabilities is included in the study. The evolution of 'lightweighting',
including the technology developments of board machines, corrugators and
converting capabilities, provides the containerboard producer and converter
perspectives in the study, alongside what the trend towards lighter basis
weights means for end-users.

The containerboard market is customer-driven and with the largest global
retailer, Walmart aiming to reduce five percent of packaging across its
supply chain by 2013, the report anticipates that the 'lightweighting' trend
will continue, providing an opportunity for corrugators that invest in modern
machines that offer the speed, quality and versatility needed, to help their
customers realise their packaging strategies.

The Future of Lightweight Containerboard in North America provides a
detailed analysis of the trend towards 'lightweighting', a history of
corrugated, and capacity forecasts of the North American Containerboard
market until 2014.

More information, including the table of contents for the study can be
found here
(www.risiinfo.com/risi-store/do/product/detail/lightweight-containerboard-north-america.html?source=LCB0410pr)

    For additional information, please contact:
    In North America: Sara Girtz at +1-770-373-3001 -sgirtz@risi.com or
     Natalie Rotondi at +1-781-734-8963 -nrotondi@risi.com
    In Europe: Tea Tuuli at +32-2-536-0743 -ttuuli@risi.com or Greg
     Ardoullie at +32-2-536-0753 - gardoullie@risi.com
    In Asia: Levi Li at +86-139-1714-6037 - lli@risi.com
    In Latin America: Luis Sucupira at +55-11-3848-9051 lsucupira@risi.com

About RISI

RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products
industry. The company works with clients in the pulp and paper, wood
products, timber, tissue, nonwovens, printing and publishing industries to
help them make better decisions.

Headquartered in Boston (Bedford), Massachusetts, RISI operates offices
in Brussels, Belgium; Helsinki, Finland; Atlanta, Georgia; San Francisco,
California; Portland, Oregon; Charlottesville, Virginia; Sao Paulo, Brazil;
Shanghai, China and Singapore. More information can be found at www.risi.com.

    Contact:
    Nichola Heer
    Marketing Manager, Forecasts & Analysis, RISI
    326 Avenue Louise, Bte 22
    1050 Brussels
    Belgium
    Email: nheer@risi.com
    +32-2-536-0770

Nichola Heer, Marketing Manager, Forecasts & Analysis, RISI, +32-2-536-0770, nheer at risi.com