Jan 18, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Stora Enso is in negotiations to acquire a leading French paper merchant, Papeteries de France (PdF), from International Paper. PdF, which has net sales of about EUR 160 million from a sales volume of some 160 000 tonnes of paper, would become part of the Stora Enso Merchants division, Papyrus. PdF has about 220 employees, all of whom are located in France. The acquisition is expected to be closed at the end of March 2005, subject to formal processes and approval by regulatory authorities. The financial terms of the proposed transaction will be disclosed following signing of a definitive agreement, which is expected to take place in February. The planned acquisition of PdF is a further step in strengthening the Papyrus presence in France and Western Europe. Papyrus is a wholly owned paper merchanting subsidiary of Stora Enso with annual sales of about EUR 740 million. Papyrus holds a leading position in the Nordic countries and a strong market position in Western Europe. Papyrus currently has a presence in thirteen European markets, including operations in France with net sales of some EUR 100 million and about 135 employees.