RISI Launches Prestigious PPI Awards Program to Honor Achievements in the Global Pulp and Paper Sector

BRUSSELS - RISI today announced the launch of a new awards program for the global
pulp and paper industry. The 2009 Pulp & Paper International (PPI) Awards
will honor leadership, vision, innovation and strategic accomplishments of
companies, mills and individuals within the pulp and paper industry. The PPI
Awards are the only global awards dedicated to recognizing these achievements
in the sector.

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Potential candidates can easily enter for the awards online at
www.ppiawards.com and must submit entries before Friday, June 12, 2009.
Twelve awards will cover a variety of business and technical categories:

Company Awards
- Business Strategy of the Year
- Environmental Strategy of the Year
- Advanced Use of Bio-Energy
- Innovative Packaging Design of the Year

Individual Awards
- Global CEO of the Year
- Mill Manager of the Year
- Research Achievement of the Year

Mill Awards
- Environmental Strategy of the Year
- Efficiency Improvements of the Year
- Innovative Product of the Year
- Technical Innovation in Action Award

A panel of expert judges will select four finalists in each category and
will present 12 PPI Award trophies to the top performers in the industry.
Confirmed judges include Rod Young, Chairman of RISI; Kari Vainio, former
Executive Vice President, Communications at Stora Enso; Jim Keller, President
of the International Corrugated Case Association; Duncan Pollard, Director,
Conservation Practice & Policy, WWF International and many other
internationally renowned experts.

The winners will be presented with their trophies at the 2009 PPI Awards
ceremony on Wednesday, October 28 at the Hilton Munich Park Hotel in Munich,
Germany. RISI will also be organizing a free half-day seminar on the
afternoon of Wednesday, October 28. The Awards will commemorate the 50th
anniversary of PPI magazine and will be held in conjunction with the Metso
Pulp and Paper Technology Days on Thursday and Friday, October 29-30, 2009.

Mark Rushton, Editor of PPI magazine and chairman of the jury for the PPI
Awards, commented, “In this time of economic uncertainty, it is more
important than ever that we recognize the companies and individuals who are
working hard to innovate and run successful businesses and mills. Finalists
and PPI Award winners will receive highly publicized recognition for their
outstanding accomplishments in the industry. This will demonstrate their
superiority in the marketplace to the press, existing clients and potential
business leads.”

Metso has signed on as the headline sponsor for the PPI Awards.
Additional category sponsorships and exclusive opportunities are available.
Please visit the www.ppiawards.com website for more information.

Ilkka Hiirsalmi, head of marketing and communications at Metso’s Fiber
and Paper Technology segment added, “It is important to honor achievements
and give due credit to organizations and individuals serving the entire
industry at the time when it is reshaping itself and re-establishing its
competitiveness. We are proud to be associated with the PPI Awards program as
the headline sponsor, as we strongly believe that promoting best practices in
this way can truly contribute to our industry’s success.”

Metso’s Pulp and Paper Technology Days is a yearly event with a long
tradition. This year it will be organized in conjunction with RISI’s Seminar
and PPI Awards ceremony, on Thursday and Friday, October 29-30, 2009. For the
convenience of the audiences, the venue has been chosen to be the same for
both events. For more information on the Technology Days please send an email
to Ms. Tiina Aho at tiina.aho@metso.com.

About Pulp & Paper International (PPI) magazine

For 50 years, the global pulp and paper industry has relied on the
quality editorial found in Pulp & Paper International (PPI) magazine. That’s
why it is the leading magazine for pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturers
in Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. It
offers the most comprehensive coverage in the industry and reaches more
people around the globe than any other pulp and paper publication.

About RISI

RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products
industry. We work with clients in the pulp and paper, wood products, timber,
tissue, nonwovens, printing and publishing industries to help them make
better decisions. More information can be found at www.risiinfo.com

About Metso

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for
mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp
and paper industries. We have over 29,000 employees in more than 50
countries. www.metso.com

Jennifer Rahall
RISI
4 Alfred Circle
Bedford, MA 01730 USA
Tel: +1-781-734-8949
jrahall@risiinfo.com

Source: RISI

Jennifer Rahall of RISI, +1-781-734-8949, jrahall at risiinfo.com; Logo: https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080521/NEW122LOGO