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Hinton Pulp Mill Acquisition Supports Growth in Mondi’s Americas Paper Bags Business

Published: 2023-07-10 13:59:32 ET
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Mondi plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registered number: 6209386)
LEI: 213800LOZA69QFDC9N34
LSE share code: MNDI
JSE share code: MNP ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47


10 July 2023
Hinton Pulp mill acquisition supports growth in Mondi’s Americas paper bags
business
Mondi plc (Mondi), a global leader in the production of sustainable packaging and
paper, has agreed to acquire the 250,000 tonne per annum Hinton Pulp mill in Alberta,
Canada, from West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd (West Fraser) for a total consideration of
USD 5 million. As part of the transaction, Mondi will enter into a long-term partnership
with West Fraser to access local, high-quality fibre from a well-established wood
basket.

The intention, subject to pre-engineering and permitting, is to invest €400 million in the
expansion of Hinton, primarily for a new 200,000 tonne per annum kraft paper
machine, anticipated to be operational from the second half of 2027. The acquisition
of the mill, and investment in the paper machine, will fully integrate operations in the
Americas and enable Mondi to secure the long-term supply of high quality, cost
competitive kraft paper into its network of 10 paper bags plants in the region, better
positioning Mondi to support the growing market demand for industrial and mailer
bags.

Customers will benefit from a fully integrated and much shorter supply chain reducing
the carbon footprint of Mondi’s packaging products in the region. The kraft paper
produced at Hinton will have the highest quality and strength parameters, which, in
combination with Mondi’s expertise, will meet customer requirements for sustainable
packaging solutions as paper is increasingly being used for packaging across the
Americas.

Commenting on the acquisition, Andrew King, Mondi Group CEO, said:

“Strategically, we are focused on investing to support the growing market demand for
our sustainable packaging products, while delivering attractive mid-teen returns
through cycle. The acquisition of Hinton is an excellent opportunity for us to secure
locally produced kraft paper for our bags customers, helping to meet the current and
anticipated future growth in demand for industrial and mailer bags in the Americas.
This acquisition will also enable us to further strengthen our position as the global
market leader in the production of kraft paper and paper bags.

“We are delighted to be making this investment in Canada and look forward to working
with Hinton colleagues, West Fraser as a long-term partner, and other local
stakeholders towards improving the mill’s environmental footprint and securing its
sustainable future.”
The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory clearance and is expected to close
towards the end of 2023.

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Enquiries

Investors/analysts:
Fiona Lawrence                                        +44 742 587 8683
Mondi Group Head of Investor Relations

Media:
Chris Gurney                                          +44 799 004 3764
Mondi Group Head of Corporate Communication

Richard Mountain
FTI Consulting                                        +44 790 968 4466


Editor’s notes
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by
making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated
across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films,
to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging
solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the
centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular
driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.
In 2022, Mondi had revenues of €8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.8 billion from
continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium
listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100
constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).
Sponsor in South Africa: Merrill Lynch South Africa Proprietary Limited t/a BofA
Securities.