Oslo, Norway 05 March 2014 -- The Industry Minister, Monica Mæland, officially opened the new thermo-mechanical pulp plant at Norske Skog Saugbrugs in Halden , 6 March 2014.

Norske Skog has invested NOK 220 million in an expansion and renewal of the thermo-mechanical pulp plant at Norske Skog Saugbrugs in Halden. The old pulp plant has been replaced by a modern facility, which will supply pulp to the paper machines at a much lower cost than today.

Cost savings consist mainly of lower energy- and pulp consumption and lower maintenance costs. Increased use of wood pulp in the paper will also result in improved paper quality. Enova has subsidised the project with NOK 50 million, because of the significant energy savings from the project.

- Investment in the new pulp plant gives increased competitiveness through a significant improvement in energy efficiency. We are doing this as part of efforts to maintain the continued operations at Saugbrugs. We wish in particular to thank Enova who have given significant financial support for this project, says president and CEO in Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt.

- This is an exemplary project. By adopting this technology, Norske Skog will become a world leader in energy-efficient pulp production. We support improved energy efficiency in industry because such projects are essential to strengthen the reliability of supply in Norway, says the CEO of Enova. We support energy and climate solutions that contribute to reduced energy consumption and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. With such projects, Norske Skog has become a spearhead in its efforts to create a greener industry in Norway, and we look forward to new projects, says the CEO of Enova, Nils Kristian Nakstad.

Norske Skog Saugbrugs has 520 employees. The mill has an annual production capacity of 530 000 tonnes of magazine paper.