TSX: FBK
www.fibrek.com
MONTREAL, May 4, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Fibrek Inc.'s CEO, Pierre Gabriel Côté, is proud to announce that Fibrek has concluded an agreement for the sale of green energy produced at its cogeneration facilities located at the Saint-Félicien mill in connection with Hydro-Québec Distribution's Power Purchase Program for electricity derived from forest biomass cogeneration (PAE 2011-01), which was launched on December 20, 2011.
The 33.23 MW of green energy currently produced by Fibrek will be sold to Hydro-Québec Distribution beginning on May 5, 2012 at a price of $106 per megawatt per hour, indexed to the consumer price index (CPI) for a 25-year period. The contract will generate approximately $16 million a year in EBITDA.
"This production will further increase the previously announced 9.56 MW that Fibrek will be supplying to the government corporation starting in December 2012. By the end of this year, the Saint-Félicien mill will be producing 42.79 MW in green energy for Hydro-Québec Distribution," said Pierre Gabriel Côté.
"Revenue diversification is a key component of our business plan. In addition, increasing our green energy production fits well within our sustainable development plan and reflects our vision when it comes to innovation for growth," concluded Mr. Côté.
Fibrek is investing approximately $37 million in the construction of a new power plant that will be used to produce the additional 9.56 MW. Over the long term, green energy production will ensure the competitive position of the Saint-Félicien NBSK pulp mill despite the challenges facing the pulp and paper industry. The leadership demonstrated by the executive team in obtaining this new contract will consolidate jobs and secure the future of the mill.
About Fibrek
Fibrek (TSX: FBK) is a leading producer and marketer of high-quality virgin and recycled kraft pulp. The company operates three mills located in Saint-Félicien, Québec, Fairmont, West Virginia, and in Menominee, Michigan with a combined annual production capacity of 760,000 tonnes. Fibrek has approximately 500 employees. The Saint-Félicien mill provides northern bleached softwood kraft pulp (product known as NBSK pulp) to various sectors of the paper industry mainly in Canada, the United States and Europe, for use in the production of specialized products. The Fairmont and Menominee mills manufacture air-dried recycled bleached kraft pulp (product known as RBK pulp) and primarily supply manufacturers of fine uncoated paper, tissue paper for commercial and industrial uses, and coated paper in the United States.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements can be identified by expressions of belief, expectation or intention, as well as those statements that are not historical facts and include statements concerning Fibrek's future outlook, business strategy, plans, expectations, results or actions, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "may", "should", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "outlook" and similar expressions. These statements are based on information currently available to Fibrek's management and on the current assumptions, intentions, plans, expectations and estimates of Management regarding Fibrek's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities and ability to attract and retain customers as well as the economic environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results of Fibrek to differ materially from the conclusion, forecast or projection stated in such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: actions taken by Abitibi, actions taken by shareholders of Fibrek in respect of Abitibi's unsolicited offer, the possible effect of Abitibi's unsolicited offer on Fibrek's business, general economic conditions, pulp prices and sales volume, exchange rate fluctuations, cost and supply of wood fibre, wastepaper and other raw materials, pension contributions, competitive markets, dependence upon key customers, increased production capacity, equipment failure, disruptions of production, capital requirements and other factors referenced in Fibrek's continuous disclosure filings which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable securities laws, Fibrek assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
Investor Relations:
Patsie Ducharme 514 871-0550
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Media and other:
Dany Paradis 450 442-8882
Vice President - Change Management and Supply Chain
Share this article