Sao Paulo, Brazil, 20 January 2009 -- In a Material Information Release notice to the market published today, the Votorantim Group, through Votorantim Celulose e Papel (VCP), reported it has concluded negotiations with members of the Lorentzen, Moreira Salles, and Almeida Braga families (Arapar Group) to acquire approximately 28% of the voting stock of Aracruz Celulose for BRL 2.71 billion.

The Safra group (Arainvest), which also owns 28% of Aracruz's voting capital, can exercise its right of first refusal to purchase or right to sell its voting shares to Votorantim, according to an agreement signed by Arapar and Arainvest in 2003.

In the event the Safra Group were to decide to sell its voting stake in Aracruz to the Votorantim Group, the company will undergo ownership restructuring and become a wholly owned subsidiary of VCP that, for its part, will be jointly controlled by Votorantim and the BNDES.