Nov 09, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Myllykoski’s consolidated net sales for January-September 2010 totalled Euro 815 million, which is 11.2% less than in the corresponding period in 2009 (Euro 918 million). The decrease in net sales was due to the sale of the Utzenstorf and Alsip mills in 2009. Despite small increases, average paper prices in January-September 2010 continued to be significantly lower than in the previous year. Total deliveries in January-September 2010 amounted to 1,348,000 tonnes, compared to 1,402,000 in the corresponding period in 2009, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. The operating loss in January-September 2010 was Euro 15 million, which represents -1.8% of net sales. The operating profit for the first nine months of 2009 was Euro 37 million. The operating profit for 2010 includes a profit of EUR 19 million from the sale of a hydro power plant in Madison, USA. The operating loss was Euro 34 million without nonrecurring items. In addition to low paper prices, the result was weakened by the prices of pulp and recycled fibre, which were significantly higher than in the previous year. The loss before tax for January-September 2010 amounted to Euro 45 million, compared with a loss of Euro 2 million in January-September 2009. The loss before tax without non-recurring items for January-September 2010 was Euro 64 million. The loss for January-September 2010 was Euro 29 million, compared with a result of Euro 0 million in the corresponding period in 2009. The result without non-recurring items was negative, representing a loss of Euro 47 million. The Group’s equity ratio on 30 September 2010 was 25.4%, compared with 30.0% a year earlier. The equity ratios with the capital loans included in the shareholders' equity were 29.4% and 34.2%. Net sales for July-September 2010 (Euro 285 million) were at the same level as net sales for April-June 2010 (Euro 286 million). The operating result for the third quarter of 2010 without non-recurring items (Euro -16 million) was weaker than for the 2Q 2010 without non-recurring items (Euro -12 million). The sharp increase in the prices of pulp and recycled fibre appeared to level off. Both production and sales volumes of paper were at the same level in the third quarter as they were in April-June. Myllykoski is a family-owned international paper group with manufacturing in Finland, Germany and the United States and sales offices around the world. Myllykoski products consist of wood-containing uncoated and coated publication papers, including newsprint. The company operates seven paper mills with a total annual capacity of close to 3 million tonnes, including the alliance partner Rhein.