AbitibiBowater Receives FSC Certification of Forestlands in Quebec

ABWTQ (OTC)

MONTREAL , Dec. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - AbitibiBowater, in partnership with Produits Forestiers Petit-Paris Inc. (PFPP), announced today that forest management units (27-51 and 24-51) in the Lac Saint-Jean region in Quebec have received certification to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard. The certification covers over 6.1 million acres (close to 2.5 million hectares) of forestlands, making it the single largest FSC certificate to be issued in the province of Quebec to date. These forest management units supply fiber to the Company's Girardville, Mistassini and Saint-Félicien sawmills; the PFPP joint-venture sawmill; seven AbitibiBowater value-added and engineered wood products facilities (including partnerships); as well as the Company's Alma and Kenogami paper mills.

"The FSC certification of these Quebec woodlands provides an additional independent confirmation of the sustainability of our forest management practices and underscores our commitment to the natural resources under our care," said David J. Paterson, President and Chief Executive Officer.

As previously announced on September 3, 2008 , AbitibiBowater is committed to expanding on its inclusive approach to the predominant third-party sustainable forest management (SFM) certification standards. The centerpiece of this commitment is a Company-wide promise to maintain 100% third-party SFM certification of all its managed woodlands. In addition to the FSC certification received today in Quebec , the Company continues to pursue FSC certification initiatives in other management units in Quebec , Ontario and Nova Scotia. AbitibiBowater will also expand audited FSC Chain-of-Custody certifications at a number of Company operations.

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. AbitibiBowater received its certification from the Rainforest Alliance SmartWood(TM) Program, an FSC-accredited certifier.

AbitibiBowater produces a wide range of newsprint, commercial printing papers, market pulp and wood products. It is the eighth largest publicly traded pulp and paper manufacturer in the world. AbitibiBowater owns or operates 23 pulp and paper facilities and 28 wood products facilities located in the United States , Canada , the United Kingdom and South Korea . Marketing its products in more than 90 countries, the Company is also among the world's largest recyclers of old newspapers and magazines, and has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to sustainable forest management standards. AbitibiBowater's shares trade over-the-counter on the Pink Sheets and on the OTC Bulletin Board under the stock symbol ABWTQ.

For further information: Investors: Duane Owens, Vice President, Finance, [phone]; Media and Others: Seth Kursman, Vice President, Public Affairs, Sustainability & Environment, [phone], [email protected]