Dec 15, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Stora Enso has closed its previously announced acquisition of 66% ownership of the Polish packaging producer Intercell S.A. from private shareholders and the International Finance Corporation. The transaction was concluded following approval by regulatory authorities. The acquisition is part of Stora Enso's strategy of expanding its Packaging Boards operations, and will strengthen its presence in the fast-growing Polish market. Mr. Jerzy Janowicz will remain Managing Director of Intercell. Mr. Pentti Huhta, Senior Vice President, Stora Enso Industrial Papers, will co-ordinate integration of Intercell into Stora Enso. Intercell is one of Poland's biggest corrugated packaging companies, with integrated operations from waste paper collection to corrugated packaging production. The Company has three corrugated packaging plants in Poland, as well as one sack factory in Poland and one in Serbia. Intercell's paper and board mill at Ostroleka, Poland has an annual production capacity of about 250 000 tonnes of containerboard and sack and kraft paper. Its annual corrugated packaging capacity is about 250 million m2. In 2003 Intercell's sales were EUR 150 million, 60% of which was from packaging and 40% from containerboards and paper, and its EBITDA in 2003 was EUR 27 million. The Company employs about 1 900 people. Intercell also operates Poland's largest recycled paper collection business, which has an approximately 15% share of the market in Poland.