Tetra Pak net sales grow to (euro)8.95 billion in 2009

Stronger-than-expected growth in fourth quarter and strong demand in some emerging markets balance declining sales in regions affected by downturn

TORONTO, March 9 /CNW/ - Tetra Pak, the world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, today announced net sales of (euro)8.95 billion in 2009 - up 1.2 percent from 2008 in comparable terms. Packaging Solutions reached (euro)8.0 billion in net sales in 2009 - an increase of 1.8 percent over 2008 while sales of Processing Solutions declined 3.8 percent in comparable terms to (euro)917 million during this period.

Double-digit growth in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Sub-Sahara Africa drove the rise in Packaging Solutions' sales, while East Europe and Central Asia were the most affected by the economic downturn, experiencing a 12.2 percent decline in net packaging sales year-over-year. Though buoyed by a strong order backlog, sales of Processing Solutions were impacted by the difficult environment for capital equipment. Overall, group sales strengthened in the fourth quarter of 2009, increasing by 5.7 percent from the year-ago quarter.

"While we are encouraged by strong growth in the last quarter, we expect 2010 to be another challenging year, with continued uncertainty about the speed of the economic recovery. We remain focused on keeping our costs down and driving quality and operational efficiency to deliver value-driven solutions to our customers," said Tetra Pak President and CEO Dennis Jonsson, adding that "we will continue to invest in innovative technologies and products as well as plant infrastructure to meet the changing needs of the market."

In 2009, Tetra Pak continued its planned investment in new plant and equipment around the world, inaugurating its new packaging material plant in Hohhot, Northern China which operates completely on power from renewable resources. The (euro)60 million plant brings total investment in the country to (euro)250 million, with a total capacity of approximately 50 billion packs a year in its four Chinese plants.

Also last year, to meet global demand for high-quality foods such as soups, sauces, dressings and beverage products Tetra Pak acquired the assets of Scanima A/S Mixer Division from Denmark-based Scanima A/S, a leading partner in the world of high-quality mixing solutions and spiral solutions - freezers, chillers, proofers and steamers. And, in a first move toward using green polyethylene in the carton packaging industry, Tetra Pak announced an agreement with Braskem SA, the largest Brazilian petrochemical company, to purchase limited volumes of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) derived entirely from a renewable feedstock.

Tetra Pak launched four Processing solutions in 2009 as part of the company's drive toward cost-effective innovation:

    
    -   Tetra Centri AirTight Eco separator, the world's first hermetically
        sealed direct-driven dairy separator
    -   Tetra Tebel Casomatic, which enables cheese producers to achieve
        superior and more consistent product quality without compromising
        food safety
    -   Tetra Therm Aseptic Drink, a cost-efficient and flexible unit for
        processing a wide range of beverages
    -   Tetra Therm Aseptic Visco unit for high viscous and particulate
        products that cuts products losses by up to 50%
    

Tetra Pak also launched the Tetra Brik(R) Edge(TM), a packaging solution for chilled liquid dairy products that the Swedish Rheumatic Association designated as 'Package of the Year' because it is so user-friendly that even those with limited hand function find it easy to handle, open and pour.

In 2009 Tetra Pak supplied a record 145 billion individual packages used by leading food and beverage companies around the world to deliver over 70.7 billion litres of milk, juice, fruits and other products to consumers.

The company delivered an additional 351 packaging machines, 1,699 processing units and 1,113 pieces of distribution equipment in 2009. Tetra Pak operates 16 technical training centres, 41 technical service centres and 11 research and development facilities around the world to ensure continued product innovation and excellence in customer service.

ABOUT TETRA PAK

Tetra Pak is the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people around the world. With over 20,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business. Our motto, "PROTECTS WHAT'S GOOD, "(TM) reflects our vision to make food safe and available, everywhere. More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com

For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Madeline Long-Duke, On behalf of Tetra Pak Canada, [phone], [email protected]; Jessica Goldberg, On behalf of Tetra Pak Canada, [phone], [email protected]