Eka Chemicals to close Joutseno paper chemicals plant in Finland by the end of 1Q 2012

BOHUS, Sweden, Dec. 1, 2011 (Press Release) - AkzoNobel's Pulp and Paper Chemicals business, Eka Chemicals, has decided to close operations at their paper chemicals Joutseno plant by the end of Q1 2012.

Despite the best efforts of employees, current market and economic conditions has rendered the production of sizing agents at the site financially unsustainable in the longer term.

The Nordic market will continue to be supplied with similar products from other Eka locations in the region.

The Joutseno plant employs four people and is located in the southeastern part of Finland, approximately 250 kilometers from Helsingfors