Helsinki, Finland, 04 February 2010 -- Stora Enso's and Arauco's joint-venture company in Uruguay, Montes del Plata, has decided to initiate a feasibility study on Punta Pereira as the site for a possible future pulp mill. Punta Pereira also was the site chosen for Spanish pulp maker ENCE's planned pulp mill. Stora Enso and Arauco acquired the majority of ENCE's operations in Uruguay in October 2009.

Studies prepared by Montes del Plata show that Punta Pereira, in the Department of Colonia, is a promising location for the possible pulp mill and therefore more detailed economic, technical, environmental, and social studies are justified. Punta Pereira also offers flexibility in terms of planning of a long-term investment.

The final decision on construction of the new pulp mill will be taken by the boards of directors of Stora Enso, Arauco, and Montes del Plata once the feasibility study is completed.

Stora Enso is a world leader in forest industry sustainability. The company offers solutions based on renewable raw materials, and its products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many nonrenewable materials and have a smaller carbon footprint. Stora Enso is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index. Stora Enso employs 29 000 people worldwide, and had sales in 2008 totalling EUR 11.0 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) in the International OTCQX over-the-counter market.