Norske Skog Sells Remaining Stake in Brazilian Operations

Print this Article | Send to Colleague

Norske Skog, Norway, has agreed to sell the remaining 49% of its shares in Norske Skog Pisa in Brazil to Papeles Bio Bio SA (formerly Norske Skog Bio Bio), which is controlled by Group BO/Pathfinder, a consortium of Chilean investors. The sales price for the 49% stake is $37 million, and the proceeds will be received during the first half of this year.

"We are pleased that we are selling the remaining stake in the Brazilian operations earlier than expected. For some time, we have stated that we aim to have our core business in Europe and Australasia. The sale is also part of our strategy to improve our liquidity, says Sven Ombudstvedt, president and CEO of Norske Skog.

Following this transaction, Norske Skog will no longer have paper production in South America. As part of the initial divestment of the 51% stake in Norske Skog Pisa in June 2013, a framework for selling the remaining 49% of the shares was agreed with Papeles Bio Bio SA. These terms have now been renegotiated and include an accelerated timeline for the sale of the 49% stake. This has been possible due to a Brazilian tax refinancing program (REFIS) which was launched by the Brazilian authorities in the second half of 2013 and in which Pisa has participated, Norske Skog explains.

Papeles Bio Bio SA will continue to develop the activities in Brazil together with its operations in Chile.

Back to TAPPI: Over The Wire