FPAC welcomes Fortress Paper as its newest member

OTTAWA, April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The Chairman of the Board of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) Jim Lopez, today announced that Fortress Paper has become the newest member of the industry group.  FPAC is the voice of Canada's wood, pulp and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs.

"We are delighted to welcome Fortress Paper to FPAC." said Lopez. "Fortress will fit well in an association that is actively engaged in the dynamic transformation taking place in our sector aimed at producing new and valuable products from trees."

Fortress is an international producer of dissolving pulp, security papers and other security related products and wallpaper base. The Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill, located in Thurso Quebec, produces dissolving pulp for the viscose fibre industry in Asia.  The Companies Dresden Mill in Germany is a leading international producer of specialty non-woven wallpaper base products. The company's security paper products business is based out of its Landqart mill in Switzerland, where it produces banknote, passport, visa and other security papers and products.

Fortress has also recently signed an agreement to purchase a mill in Lebel-sur-Quevillon Quebec where it will produce dissolving pulp and operate a co-generation facility to produce bio-energy.  The company is based in Vancouver.

"Fortress has a track record of putting bold transformational thinking into action" said Catherine Cobden, interim President and CEO of FPAC. "We are pleased that the company is joining our Association as we continue to demonstrate the forest industry's role in the jobs, environment and economy of tomorrow."

"FPAC is known for being a progressive and effective national voice for the forest products industry," said Chadwick Wasilenkoff, Chairman and CEO of Fortress Paper.  "We are very pleased to join FPAC and eager to work together to build an innovative, profitable and environmentally conscious path for the industry."

FPAC represents 19 major forest product companies operating coast to coast in Canada as well in other parts of the world.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada's wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $57-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada's GDP and is one of Canada's largest employers operating in hundreds of communities and providing 240,000 direct jobs across the country.

SOURCE FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA