Oct 31, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Botnia’s January – September 2005 sales 19% down Botnia’s sales for the first nine months of the year were Euro 659.0 million, 19% down on the same period last year (814.4 million). The volume of pulp sales was correspondingly around 17% lower at 1 515 035 tonnes. Operating profit was Euro 25.5 million, well below the figure for this period last year (123.2 million). Both sales and operating profit were badly hit by the lockouts and local strikes that occurred during the second quarter and by technical problems with the re-start of production at the beginning of the third quarter. Market prices for softwood pulp in foreign currencies averaged 1.4% lower than for this period last year, whereas average prices for hardwood pulp strengthened by 11.7%. The US dollar was 5% stronger against the euro than during January – September 2004. Sales for the third quarter returned to normal at Euro 254.8 million (279.9 million). Third-quarter operating profit was Euro 29.5 million (52.0 million). Compared with the previous quarter, market prices in foreign currencies were 4.3% lower for softwood pulp and 1.7% lower for hardwood pulp. The dollar was 2% weaker during the third quarter than during the second. The fire that affected the chip conveyor at the Rauma mill in early September caused some production to be lost, and this affected the financial result for the third quarter. • Sales Euro 659.0 million (814.4 million for January – September 2004) • Operating profit Euro 25.5 million (123.2 million) • Profit before extraordinary items 28.2 million (122.2 million) • Investments Euro 152.2 million (29.4 million) • Return on capital employed 3.1% (13.0%) • Equity ratio 70.2 % (71.8%) • Gearing ratio 5.3% (-3.8%) The forest industry company Oy Metsä-Botnia Ab - marketing name Botnia - was founded in 1973, and it manufactures high quality bleached pulp grades under the name Botnia. Botnia is owned by M-real Oyj, Metsäliitto Osuuskunta, and UPM-Kymmene Oyj.