Toronto, Ontario, November 8 2007 - Fraser Papers Inc. ("Fraser Papers" or the "Company") announced today that its Madawaska, Maine paper mill achieved certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative ("SFI") program. Independent auditors have verified that Madawaska's fibre supply conforms to the procurement requirements under the internationally agreed-upon Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard 2005-2009.
"Our customers are becoming more environmentally sensitive and are seeking to partner with suppliers committed to protecting our natural resources. The Madawaska SFI Certification allows customers to specify Fraser products in good conscience, knowing they meet strict environmental and social standards," said Matt Nightingale, Director of Marketing for Fraser Papers.
The Madawaska SFI Certification will impact a broad range of customers as the mill operates six paper machines and produces a variety of specialty printing and packaging papers containing groundwood and chemical fibre. The mill has a production capacity of 420,000 tons per year and manufactures grades that include recycled fibre.
"The SFI fibre sourcing designation enables the mill to use on-product labels for all customer orders, guaranteeing supply chain sustainability and simplifying the process for everyone - our customers and the mill. Seeing the SFI label on our products is a great reinforcement for customers that their paper supply comes from well managed sources," said Jeff Dutton, General Manager of Fraser Papers' East Papers operations in Madawaska.
All Fraser Papers' operations are certified to either the SFI or Forest Stewardship Council ("FSC") standard. Key certifications include: SFI Fibre Sourcing Procurement Certification (Madawaska paper mill), SFI Wood Procurement Certification (Plaster Rock and Juniper, New Brunswick sawmills and Edmundston, New Brunswick pulp mill), SFI Forest Management Certification (Crown Timber Licenses) and FSC Chain of Custody Certification (Gorham, New Hampshire paper mill and Katahdin's Millinocket, Maine operations).
Fraser Papers is an integrated specialty paper company which produces a broad range of specialty packaging and printing papers. The company has operations in New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire and Quebec. Fraser Papers is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol: FPS. For more information, visit the Fraser Papers web site at www.fraserpapers.com.
SFI, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization and is solely responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program. SFI, Inc. directs all elements of the SFI program including the SFI Standard, chain of custody certification, labeling and marketing. SFI, Inc. is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors with representatives from environmental and conservation organizations, public officials, professional and academic groups, forest products industry, independent logging professionals and forest landowners. For more information about the SFI program, visit www.sfiprogram.org.