White Birch Paper to convert newsprint capacity at F.F. Soucy mill

GREENWICH, CT, April 18, 2008 (Press Release) - Starting in May 2008, White Birch Paper Company (White Birch Paper) will convert 100,000 metric tonnes of production at the F.F. Soucy mill in Riviere-du-Loup from standard newsprint to groundwood specialty grades, including hi-brites, lightweight directory paper, bulky news and others. This is in addition to approximately 90,000 metric tonnes of lightweight directory and 45,000 metric tonnes of paperboard currently produced at the Stadacona mill.

This conversion will enable White Birch Paper to capitalize upon the machine flexibility obtained from previous strategic investments to optimize mill profitability.

Purchased in 1972 by Peter M. Brant, the F.F. Soucy mill is one of four mills in North America owned and operated by White Birch Paper. White Birch Paper operates two other mills in the province of Quebec: Stadacona S.E.C. in Quebec City; and Papier Masson in Gatineau. White Birch Paper also operates the Bear Island mill in Ashland, Virginia. On March 31, 2008, Peter M. Brant and certain related persons and his partners completed the purchase of SP Newsprint Co. (SP Newsprint). The purchase included SP Newsprint's two newsprint mills in the United States as well as SP Recycling Corp., SP Newsprint's wholly owned recycling subsidiary.