Nov 02, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Metsä Group’s operating result for January–September Euro 181 million excluding non-recurring items, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Result for January–September: – Sales amounted to Euro 3,773 million (1–9/2011: Euro 4,123 million). – Operating result excluding non-recurring items was Euro 181 million (311). Operating result including non-recurring items was Euro161 million (229). – Result before taxes excluding non-recurring items was Euro 106 million (217). Result before taxes including non-recurring items was Euro 86 million (130). Result for July–September 2012: – Sales totalled Euro 1,242 million (7–9/2011: Euro 1,317 million). – Operating result excluding non-recurring items was Euro 67 million (63). Operating result including non-recurring items was Euro 56 million (44). – Result before taxes excluding non-recurring items was Euro 35 million (35). Result before taxes including non-recurring items was Euro 25 million (17). Events in the third quarter of 2012: – Pulp deliveries improved on the previous quarter, but market prices decreased. Delivery volumes of paperboard increased on the previous quarter, with prices remaining stable. – Metsä Wood decided to invest Euro 30 million in upgrading its Vilppula sawmill. The investment will be carried out in 2013. – A new paper machine was commissioned in Metsä Tissue’s Krapkowice mill in Poland. The investment programme includes two new paper machines, the second of which will be commissioned next year. – The bark gasification plant at Metsä Fibre's Joutseno mill was introduced for trial use in July. With this plant, the mill will be the first carbon dioxide neutral pulp mill in Finland. Events after the period: – A biopower plant was opened at Metsä Board’s Kyro mill on 9 October. The biopower plant, owned by Pohjolan Voima and Leppäkosken Sähkö, will increase the use of renewable fuels and decrease carbon dioxide emissions from energy production in the Hämeenkyrö region. “Market predictability continues to be low, especially due to the unstable economic situation in Europe. Therefore careful planning of business operations and continuous efficiency improvement of all functions play a key role at Metsä Group. Our investment programme is proceeding according to plan. A new paper machine was commissioned in Metsä Tissue’s Krapkowice mill in Poland as part of the development programme aiming to improve the productivity and energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of production activity. Our strategy to focus on pulp, board and tissue and cooking papers brings stability to our operations also in this market situation”, as Kari Jordan, President & CEO, Metsä Group said.