Net sales amounted to SEK 8,982m (9,480). The lower sales level was related to the discontinued publication paper operations and the divestment of Wood Supply UK. Excluding these effects, net sales increased by 17%, driven by higher selling prices in all product areas. EBITDA improved 78% to SEK 3,619m (2,031). The increase was mainly attributable to higher selling prices in all product areas, but also to good production and a stable, low cost level. EBITDA margin was 40.3% (21.4). Operating profit increased to SEK 2,927m (1,228); Operating cash flow amounted to SEK 1,581m (614); Earnings per share increased to SEK 3.25 (1.34)

• First quarter 2018 net income of $24 million and EBITDA of $86 million • Diluted earnings per share of $0.38; 153 percent increase from prior year • Pulp contributed significant EBITDA; Forest Products delivered solid profitability despite duties on U.S. sales; High Purity Cellulose impacted by production issues in two facilities and a spike in energy costs • Integration of Tembec progressing as planned with significant contributions to first quarter profitability • $7 million of transformation and synergy savings achieved; on track to meet 2018 target of $40 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Antti Koulumies, the new Senior Vice President of UPM Timber, stepped into his position in early June, at a point when the timber business is booming. At the same time, the carbon footprint and effect on biodiversity of raw materials are ever more important to customers. Koulumies believes that UPM Timber, as a pioneer of responsible practices in the timber industry, has everything it needs to meet customer expectations now and to further develop in the future. “UPM Timber’s product – timber from responsibly grown forests – is very much in tune with my own values. All four of our sawmills run on renewable energy, and our timber products sequester carbon throughout their lifespan”, he explains.