HELSINKI, Finland, Nov. 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stora Enso is restarting production at Sunila Pulp Mill in Finland.

The state of the pulp market has improved since the beginning of the summer. However, uncertainties remain concerning trends in the market, the profitability of Sunila Mill in the long term and the availability of reasonably priced wood in Finland. Next spring Stora Enso will therefore reassess the option of permanently closing down Sunila Pulp Mill.

Following the decision to restart production at Sunila Pulp Mill, Stora Enso is releasing approximately EUR 10 million of restructuring provision recorded in the third quarter of 2009. The amount released will be recorded as a positive non-recurring item in the fourth quarter 2009 financial results.

"We are very aware that although the mill is being restarted, for the employees uncertainty will persist, and we very much regret that. However, we think this is on the whole the best alternative for our employees. We hope long-term measures will soon be found to secure the viability of the forest products industry in Finland and a lasting favourable solution concerning Russian wood duties can be reached. Solutions to those issues could extend the economic life of Sunila Mill," says Juha Vanhainen, Country Manager, Finland.

Sunila Pulp Mill at Kotka has been temporarily shut down since April 2009. The co-determination negotiations that commenced when the initial closure plans were announced in August 2009 have concluded, and production at the mill is scheduled to resume by the end of the year.

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Stora Enso is the world leader in forest industry sustainability. We offer our customers solutions based on renewable raw materials. Our products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many non-renewable materials, and have a smaller carbon footprint. Stora Enso is included in the Global 100 list of the world's most sustainable companies. Stora Enso is also listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the FTSE4Good Index, and the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. Stora Enso employs 29 000 people worldwide, and our sales in 2008amounted to EUR 11.0 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) in the International OTCQX over-the-counter market.

STORA ENSO OYJ

Jari Suvanto

Ulla Paajanen-Sainio

CONTACT: Stora Enso
         Juha Vanhainen, Country Manager, Finland
           +358 2046 21343
         Jouni Kostama, Mill Manager, Sunila
           +358 5 229 8220
         Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, Head of Investor Relations
           +358 40 763 8767
         Paeivi Kauhanen, Director, Communications in Finland
           +358 2046 21292