International Paper, foreign investor of Ilim Group, the largest Russian manufacturer of pulp and packaging materials, has published the information that it is exploring various options for its ownership, including potential sale of its ownership interest in the joint venture.

Ilim Group informs that it continues its normal business operations, including implementation of its large-scale investment program, and considers stable operation and continuous fulfillment of obligations to be the key priorities. In partnership with International Paper the Company has achieved significant results, consistently retained leadership in the Russian pulp and paper industry and joined the league of the largest global manufacturers. Ilim Group possesses all necessary operational and financial resources to continue implementation of its plans, including start-up of the KLB Mill in Ust-Ilimsk (Irkutsk Oblast), the largest new facility for production of packaging materials.