CHICAGO, IL, September 7, 2001 – Madison Paper Company announced today at a press conference at Print 01 that "Connection", a high-quality, lightweight coated #5 paper with recycled content, will be the product produced at their newly modernized paper mill in Alsip, Illinois, just twelve miles southwest of Chicago. A wholly owned affiliate of Myllykoski Corporation of Finland, Madison Paper Company has a $130 million modernization project in progress, which replaces the existing de-inked pulping and papermaking operation with state-of-the-art processing and manufacturing technology. The new mill will produce 120,000 tons per year of the high-recycled-content lightweight coated paper. Madison is adopting the current proven technology of one of its European mill affiliates. To introduce the new product, Madison is importing tonnage of the European equivalent grade. The "Connection" equivalent, manufactured in Germany, has been available in North America since August. This introductory grade will allow Madison’s customers to evaluate the product leading up to the startup of the rebuilt machine in Chicago. After startup, continuing availability of "Connection" from both Germany and the U.S. will ensure a secure line of supply from a two-machine system. The plan provides Madison’s customers with unique supply and service opportunities. Connection will be marketed and sold by Madison International Sales Company, which has offices in Norwalk, CT, Elk Grove Village, IL, and Montreal, Canada. David G. Knauer, President of Madison International Sales Company, commented, "Connection will complement our current line of coated and supercalendered products. The announcement of 'Connection' has been well received because of the ideal positioning of the Chicago-area mill, which is located in the center of the country’s largest concentration of web press capacity, ensuring fast, efficient deliveries. In addition, publishers and catalogers, the main end-users of lightweight coated paper, have reacted favorably to the combination of a high-quality LWC with recycled content. This combination is possible as a result of the proximity to the urban forest and the latest state-of-the-art de-inking system with advanced drum pulping, flotation de-inking, and fine screening technology." Kevin J. Kuliga, President of Madison Paper Company (Alsip), commented during the conference that "the concept, planning and implementation of the new Alsip mill is supported by the extensive knowledge and resources of the Myllykoski group of companies from Europe."