VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – July 7, 2010) – Fortress Paper Ltd. (“Fortress Paper” or the “Company”) (TSX:FTP) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced bought deal offering (the “Offering”) of 1,739,000 common shares of the Company (the “Offered Shares”) at a price of $23.50 per Offered Share for gross proceeds of $40,866,500. The Offering was conducted by way of a short form prospectus dated June 22, 2010 through a syndicate of underwriters led by Dundee Securities Corporation and included Jennings Capital Inc., Raymond James Ltd. and TD Securities Inc.

Fortress Paper intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to finance certain capital expenditures relating to its Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill in Thurso, Quebec and its rebuild of papermachine number 1 at its Landqart Mill in Switzerland, and for working capital.

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States.

About Fortress Paper

Fortress Paper is a leading international producer of security and other specialty papers and products. Fortress operates three mills, the Landqart Mill located in Switzerland, the Dresden Mill located in Germany and the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill located in Quebec, Canada. Fortress Paper’s security papers include banknote, passport and visa papers and its specialty papers include non-woven wallpaper base products, and graphic and technical papers. Fortress Paper’s pulp business includes NBHK produced at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill with plans to convert this capacity into dissolving pulp production along with the construction of a biomass based cogeneration plant.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Fortress Paper with respect to its performance, business and future events, including statements regarding Fortress Paper’s intended use of proceeds raised from the public offering of its common shares. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Corporation operates. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks relating to changes in the market, potential downturns in economic conditions, fluctuations in the price and supply of raw materials, foreign exchange fluctuations, labour relations, regulatory requirements, reputation, competition, dependence on major customers, and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Corporation’s public filings. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fortress Paper does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

For more information, please contact
Fortress Paper Ltd.
Chadwick Wasilenkoff
604-904-2328
info@fortresspaper.com
www.fortresspaper.com

In an effort to keep up to date with anti-counterfeiting technology and increasingly high-tech security features on banknotes around the world, the Bankgko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in the Phillipines announced this week that it will launch a new series of banknotes in December 2010.

“We want to take advantage of these technologies,” BSP Monetary Stability sector Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo told the Phil Star.

As a result, the new generation notes (the Piso) – issued in the P20, P50, P100, P200, P500, and P1,000 denominations – will contain heightened security features that aim not only to deter counterfeiting but also help make it easier for the public to detect fraudulent bills among their currency.

“As a matter of practice, central bans regularly change the designs of the money – whether coins or banknotes – to guard against counterfeiters,” another BSP source said. “By making it very difficult and costly for counterfeiters to produce exact copies of our money, we protect the integrity of our currency against criminals.”

Currently, the Piso banknotes contain standard security features such as security threads, security fibres, watermarks, invisible fluorescent inks, optically variable ink, microprint, moiré pattern and an iridescent band.
Other banknotes around the world have been outfitted with some of the most modern security devices known in the banknote industry recently. The new American $100 bill, for example, contains 3D holographs. Other up-and-coming anti-counterfeit devices include quantum dots (nanoscale dots that emit intense light), pixelating watermarks (photos that appear to be 3D because of the way the shades are printed), the reproduction of intricate patterns akin to butterfly scales, and see-through windows rooted between the layers of a polymer banknote.

Though the BSP hasn’t said which new features will be embedded in the notes, the central bank has said they will undertake a nationwide information campaign to educate Filipinos on the new features and help them learn how to tell genuine banknotes from counterfeits.

In terms of design, the new banknotes will pay tribute to Filipinos who played significant roles at various moments of the nation’s history and will also feature world heritage sites and iconic natural wonders of the Philippines.

The BSP also has plans to issue a new series of coins which aren’t expected to be circulated until 2012.

The current Piso series, which includes both coins and banknotes, hasn’t received a re-vamp in nearly 30 years.

SOURCES:
PhilStar.com: “BSP To Redesign Banknotes and Coins”
PhilStar.com: “BSP to Release 1st Batch of New Banknotes In December”
Philippine Coins and Banknotes: “FAQs: BSP Banknote and Coin Resdesign”
Bankgko Sentral ng Pilipinas: “BSP Notes & Coins”

India will begin printing Rs500 & Rs1,000 banknotes on securitized "blue paper" in an effort to deter counterfeiting in the country.

After a significant “large-scale circulation of fake notes” throughout India over the past year, the Indian government has decided to begin printing Rs500 and Rs1,000 on special blue security paper to curtail counterfeiting in the region.

Blue paper is made by combining cotton and linen fibre with a special dye that only glows under ultraviolet rays. This dye also ensures the paper – which eventually in this case will be made into banknotes – also radiates a unique blue hue that makes it virtually impossible for colour photocopiers to reproduce.

The Indian government says the switch will not only deter counterfeiters, but will also pay off in the long run.
“The blue security paper has higher durability compared to normal currency notes. While it is costlier to produce, it is cheaper than having to deal with fake currency,” said a senior official.

Though it is an important component in the world of banknote security, blue paper is not a new idea. The first recorded mention of blue paper comes from Italy in the 14th century, where it was first used by artists as mounts for drawings. Over the centuries, blue paper sometimes became an alternative to white paper and was used in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries for books.

Around the same time, manufacturers of blue paper began dyeing the paper pulp instead of using disintegrated rags which resulted in the paper achieving more intense colours.

Today, blue paper has moved from the artistic realm to the security realm thanks to this dyeing process. Because the dye is applied to the entirety of the banknote and not just to select locations on the note, the paper itself becomes a security feature and is, as researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research have said about notes using fluorescent dyes, “itself a component of the identification label.”

Colour is an important security feature as well. Embedding additional colour designs to the blue paper is beneficial to paper producers who specialize in anti-counterfeit devices.

Printing of the Rs500 and Rs1,000 banknotes is scheduled to get underway by August and the new notes are expected to enter into circulation by December 2010.

SOURCES:
BNet: “Blue Paper To Be used For Rs500-1,000 Notes”
The American Institute for Conservation: “Historical Manufacture and Use of Blue Paper”
Nanowerk: “Brilliant Counterfeit Protection”
Polymernotes.org: “A Paradigm Shift In Bank Note Security; Security Features in Polymer Bank Notes”

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – June 8, 2010)

Fortress Paper Ltd. (“Fortress Paper” or the “Company”) (TSX:FTP), announces that it has entered into a financing agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Dundee Securities Corporation and including Jennings Capital Inc., Raymond James Ltd., and TD Securities Inc. (the “Underwriters”). Pursuant to the agreement, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 1,739,000 common shares (“Shares”) of the Company priced at $23.50 per Share (the “Offering Price”), for total gross proceeds of $40,866,500 (the “Offering”).

The Company has agreed to grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 260,850 common shares of the Company at the Offering Price, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering will be $46,996,475.

Fortress Paper intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to finance certain capital expenditures relating to its Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill in Thurso, Quebec and its rebuild of papermachine number 1 at its Landqart Mill, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is expected to close on or about July 9, 2010 and is subject to certain customary conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the applicable securities regulatory authorities. The offering will be made in Canada by way of a short form prospectus and may be made in jurisdictions outside of Canada on a private placement basis pursuant to prospectus and registration exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. The Company intends to file a preliminary short form prospectus relating to the offering with the applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada in due course.

The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United StatesSecurities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – June 3, 2010) – Fortress Paper Ltd. (TSX:FTP) (“Fortress Paper” or the “Corporation”) announces the following appointments at its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fortress Specialty Cellulose Inc. (“Fortress Specialty”): Peter Vinall as President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Byrne as Vice President, Technical Development and Donald Deer as Projects Leader. In addition, Fortress Specialty has added Pierre Monahan to its Board of Directors.

In announcing the appointments, Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO of Fortress Paper commented: “We are very pleased to have someone of Peter Vinall’s extensive experience and track record joining our team. His appointment brings a wealth of experience in running some of the largest dissolving pulp mills in the world and he has a talent for building strong teams and leading business transformations. With Vince Byrne, Donald Deer, Marco Veilleux and Pierre Monahan, we will have an experienced team in place to implement our business plan at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill.”

Peter Vinall commented: “Having recently relocated back to Canada, I am excited to now join the Fortress team and lead the conversion of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill into a high quality specialty cellulose mill. The Mill has good access to fibre supply and a reputation for high quality NBHK production which will continue with the restart which is underway. Our aim is to leverage these strengths and transform the asset base with extensive technological upgrades and a state of the art cogeneration facility with the goal of becoming a low cost producer and industry leader in the specialty cellulose sector.”

Mr. Vinall has approximately 30 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry and was the former President of Sateri International Pulp Group, a global leader in the specialty cellulose business. Prior to joining Fortress Specialty, Mr. Vinall held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of AV Group where he led the conversion of an NBHK pulp mill to produce dissolving pulp. Mr. Vinall obtained an MBA from Tulane University, New Orleans, and a B.E in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Vincent Byrne has over 30 years of engineering, operations and process optimization experience focused on commodity and specialty pulping processes. Most recently he acted as VP Technical and Engineering at AV Group where he led the development of the conversion of one of their New Brunswick mills into a dissolving pulp operation. Mr. Byrne obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Massey University, New Zealand.

Donald Deer has approximately 40 years of engineering and construction experience in Canada and has managed in excess of $1 billion in capital spending for several major corporations including Tembec Inc. Most recently, Mr. Deer was responsible for construction and completion of the conversion of one of AV Group’s NBHK mills into a dissolving pulp operation. Mr. Deer also has recent experience designing cogeneration and energy optimization projects. Donald Deer has a B.E in Electrical Engineering from Queens University, Ontario and is a member of Professional Engineers Ontario.

Pierre Monahan is a highly experienced senior board member and executive director. Mr. Monahan was formerly the CEO of Alliance Forest Products Inc. and Executive Vice President of Bowater Canada Inc. during which time he oversaw its integration with Alliance Forest Products Inc., an acquisition valued at approximately $1 billion.

In addition Fortress announces that the former Operations Director of Fraser Paper’s Thurso Mill, Marco Veilleux, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Fortress Specialty Cellulose. Mr. Veilleux has led the Thurso operation since 2007 having developed his career in a series of operational and technical leadership roles in the pulp and paper sector in Eastern Canada. He was instrumental in initiating the cogeneration project and ensuring the Thurso assets are well positioned for the transformation. Mr. Veilleux has a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Sherbrooke.

About Fortress Paper

Fortress Paper is a leading international producer of security and other specialty papers and products. Fortress Paper operates three mills, the Landqart Mill located in Switzerland, the Dresden Mill located in Germany and the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill located in Quebec, Canada. Fortress Paper’s security papers include banknote, passport and visa papers and its specialty papers include non-woven wallpaper base products, and graphic and technical papers. Fortress Paper’s pulp business will include NBHK with the re-start of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill with plans to convert this capacity into dissolving pulp production along with the construction of a biomass based cogeneration plant.

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Fortress Paper with respect to its performance, business and future events, including statements relating to its plans to re-start, convert and build a biomass based cogeneration plant at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Corporation operates, including assumptions relating to the Corporation’s ability to successfully implement its business plan in respect of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill; that the Corporation will be able to receive all required approvals and complete construction of the cogeneration facility; and the expected effects of the cogeneration facility on the business of the Corporation. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, that the Corporation will be unable to implement its business plan in respect of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill as planned or at all; that the Corporation will be unable to receive all necessary approvals to begin construction of the cogeneration facility; and those risks relating to changes in the market, potential downturns in economic conditions, fluctuations in the price and supply of raw materials, foreign exchange fluctuations, labour relations, regulatory requirements, reputation, competition, dependence on major customers, and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Corporation’s public filings. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fortress Paper does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE:
Fortress Paper Ltd.

Currency makers are fighting a constant battle to stay ahead of counterfeiters, and the bills in your wallet are the product of countless hours of R&D, combining some of the latest developments in chemistry, physics and material science. And with both Canada and the U.S. introducing new bills next year, they’re about to become a lot more sophisticated.

U.S. officials recently unveiled the new $100 bill, which features a wide ribbon that displays moving images when tilted. A stream of bells and the number 100 float along the ribbon in counterintuitive directions; tilt the bill side-to-side, and the images move up and down. The illusion is created by a layer of nearly one million tiny lenses overtop the images.

“The security ribbon is going to pose a tremendous burden to counterfeiters,” says Michael Lambert, an assistant director at the Federal Reserve Board. The technology had been under development since 2004 by Crane & Co., the Massachusetts-based company that has supplied the U.S. with currency paper since 1879. Even though the ribbon is complex, counterfeiters will no doubt try to replicate it, forcing central banks to explore new features.

An emerging tech­nology called quantum dots could be­come a widespread anti-counterfeit measure. These particles, about 10 to 20 nanometres in diameter, consist of a semiconductor material, such as cadmium, in a zinc shell, and emit an intense light. Many currencies already have watermarks, but quantum dots can display a whole range of colours under a UV light, whereas current dyes can only display a single band. “There’s no other chemical entity like them,” says Vicki Singer, senior consultant for corporate development at Life Technologies in California, which manufactures quantum dots. The process to create them is mind-bogglingly complicated, unlike today’s dyes. Singer won’t divulge which central banks are interested in the technology, nor if it’s being used in some form already, and others in the industry are not aware of any currency using quantum dots today.

“It’s certainly an area that’s interesting,” says Doug Crane, vice-president at Crane & Co. “But it’s not an overt security device for the public.” Crane argues ideal security features are instantly recognizable to anyone, without the use of equipment. Cost is always a factor when implementing a new feature, as well. The new U.S. $100 bill, for all of its purported advances, costs only an extra 3.5¢ to produce.

The Bank of Canada is also ushering in a new era of currency security, but won’t reveal much about the bills debuting next year, other than that they will be made of plastic. “The material permits us to incorporate security features that are more difficult to counterfeit,” says Bank of Canada spokesperson Julie Girard. Canada was among the worst countries for counterfeiting a few years ago, but increased enforcement measures are reducing the problem. Plastic banknotes may help even further.

The first plastic bill was introduced in 1988 in Australia. The primary benefit is durability (the bills supposedly last two to four times longer than paper), but research on the material began as a way to thwart counterfeiting. Plastic allows manufacturers to easily include a transparent window in bills, and laser etching a hologram into the window, as Australia does, makes accurate forgery very difficult. Counterfeiting is negligible in Australia today.

Those who manufacture paper currency are skeptical. “Nobody around the world was trying to counterfeit the Australian dollar,” counters Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO of Fortress Paper in Vancouver. “It’s a relatively closed geographic area.” Fortress is the sole manufacturer of Swiss banknotes, and last December launched a new bill with a layer of plastic sandwiched between two layers of paper. The bill allows for a window without sacrificing the feel of a banknote.

Texture is generally the first line of defense against counterfeiting, which is where plastic currency runs into difficulty. “It’s not very hard to replicate from a feel point of view,” Crane says. While both sides of the paper-versus-plastic debate may claim superiority, neither is bold enough to assert a bill can deter counterfeiters entirely — no matter how advanced the technology becomes. “For criminals who make their livelihood out of counterfeiting currency,” says Lambert at the Fed, “they’re always going to look for ways to do it.”

By Joe Castaldo for Canadian Business Magazine.

SOURCE:
Canadian Business Magazine: “Counterfeiting Cat-and-Mouse”

There’s a new kid on the block and he’s playing by a different set of rules. Brimming with confidence, enthusiasm, and steadfast resolution to succeed, Fortress Paper offers a fresh perspective for Canada’s pulp and paper sector.

With its recent acquisition of the idled Thurso pulp mill located in the Outaouais region of western Quebec, Vancouver-based Fortress Paper plans not only to make a splash on the market, but a significant profit, too. By ditching the production of northern bleached hardwood kraft pulp in favour of manufacturing dissolving pulp, the company is confident it won’t fall prey to the relentless profit losses so many Canadian forestry companies have witnessed.

“We’re expecting to generate $60 million (EBITDA) but could potentially see profits in the order of $200 million,” says Chad Wasilenkoff, president and CEO of Fortress Paper, with a confidence not often heard in this industry.

Wasilenkoff refers to himself as a “contrarian” investor, as he keeps a punctilious eye on industries widely considered to be depressed, only to pounce on opportunities to grab world class assets at heftily discounted prices. For his $3 million* purchase price, Wasilenkoff pocketed $85 million worth of assets in buying the Thurso facility from insolvent Fraser Papers.

Fortress Paper currently owns and operates two pulp mills in Europe — in Germany and Switzerland. With an emphasis on specialty papers, the company’s product portfolio includes non-woven wallpaper base products, graphic papers, and technical papers. Fortress officially incorporated in 2006, with the intention of taking a closer look at investments in the forestry sector. The company was not specifically seeking to invest in Canada, but had been observing the dissolving pulp market for a number of years. When the Thurso pulp mill came on the market, the timing and price were compelling.

The acquisition is also welcome news to the 320 people formerly employed by the mill, who will, with only a few minor exceptions, be back on the job in June 2010.

“The Quebec government was very interested in getting people back to work,” Wasilenkoff confirmed. “We were informed that not only does the mill provide work for 320 people, but an additional 2900 indirect jobs are supported by the operation, as well.” The provincial government’s motivation to see the facility up and running translated to a cash infusion of $102 million, in the form of a 10-year loan.

It’s money that Wasilenkoff anticipates no difficultly in repaying. “We’re extremely comfortable with the underlying fundamentals,” he says, explaining the overall growth in the market his newly purposed mill will be supplying. “Asia will be our biggest market, and the textile industry there is very strong. As more and more people move into middle income brackets, research indicates consumption of clothing increases, and yet, cotton is an expensive material to produce. Rayon has very similar characteristics to cotton but is more absorbent and breathable, and is less expensive to produce. As a result, the finished product almost always trades at a premium compared to cotton. We consider this to be a very, very low-risk and high-return venture.”

Fortress has two additional multi-million dollar goodies in its bag: the company is entitled to $10 million from the federal Green Transformation Program, as well as $15 million from the Green Infrastructure Fund. Both are initiatives designed to encourage green energy generation and environmentally-friendly production upgrades. Fortress’ decision to construct a biomass-based cogeneration plant at the facility to produce green electricity positioned the company to benefit from these grants.

The mill won’t be making an immediate switch from NBHK production to dissolving pulp, however. Thurso will continue to churn out kraft pulp for another full year before producing its new product line starting in June 2011. Once the transition is over, the mill will produce 200,000 tonnes of air-dried product annually. The company plans to capitalize on bolstered demand for NBHK first. Wasilenkoff expects the restructuring to be a smooth process, however, as it requires very little in the way of retrofitting. Much of the equipment currently in the mill will be suitable for the production of dissolving pulp as it shares much in common with the process of manufacturing NBHK.

With a secure and reasonably priced fibre source (the company has a 50% Crown allocation), a ready-made labour force, and strong market fundamentals, Fortress appears poised for success. Coupled with Chad Wasilenkoff’s unstoppable “can-do” attitude, Canada’s pulp and paper sector may have a new market leader, and mentor, for the future.

* After price adjustments, Wasilenkoff notes, the final price paid for the Thurso facility may be in the order of $900,000.

By Heather Lynch for Pulp and Paper Canada. June 2, 2010.

SOURCE:
Pulp and Paper Canada: “Thurso’s Future Secure with Fortress”

TORONTO — Fraser Papers has completed the sale of its two Canadian mills, located at Thurso, Que. and Edmunston, N.B., in two separate transactions, leaving the insolvent paper company with no Canadian pulp and paper operations.

The Thurso mill was sold to Fortress Paper. The Edmunston facility was sold as part of the specialty papers business, along with a mill in Madawaska, Maine, and two New Brunswick sawmills, to Twin Rivers Paper Company. Twin Rivers was formed by creditors of Fraser Papers.

Once Fraser Papers sells its remaining U.S. assets, the company will use the proceeds to settle the remaining secured claims, prior to distributing any remaining proceeds to unsecured creditors.

Fraser Papers was formed in 2004, from some assets of Norbord.

SOURCE:
Pulp And Paper Canada: “Fraser Papers Exits Canadian Scene After Six Years”

Fortress Specialty Cellulose Inc. began production and sale of NBHK pulp from the company’s mill in Thurso, Que., on May 28. The mill reopened May 1 after being shut down by its former owner in early 2009.

Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO of parent company Fortress Paper Ltd., commented: “We are pleased that production has commenced ahead of schedule and this will enable us to take advantage of the current strong NBHK pulp prices.”

Fortress Specialty’s Thurso Mill is expected to produce approximately 250,000 air dried metric tonnes per annum of high grade northern bleached hardwood kraft pulp. Fortress Specialty intends to produce NBHK pulp while undergoing transformation to become a dissolving pulp producer in mid 2011.

SOURCE:
Pulp And Paper Canada: “Fortress Paper’s Thurso Mill Resumes Production Ahead of Schedule”

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – June 1, 2010) – Fortress Paper Ltd. (“Fortress Paper” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:FTP) announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fortress Specialty Cellulose Inc. (“Fortress Specialty”), commenced production and sale of NBHK pulp on May 28th. The mill reopened May 1st after being shut down by the former owner in early 2009.
Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO of Fortress Paper Ltd. commented: “The commencement of production at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill marks the achievement of an important milestone at Thurso. We are pleased that production has commenced ahead of schedule and this will enable us to take advantage of the current strong NBHK pulp prices.”

Fortress Specialty’s Thurso Mill is expected to produce approximately 250,000 air dried metric tonnes per annum of high grade northern bleached hardwood kraft pulp. Fortress Specialty intends to produce NBHK pulp while undergoing transformation to become a dissolving pulp producer in mid 2011.

About Fortress Paper

Fortress Paper is a leading international producer of security and other specialty papers and products. Fortress Paper operates three mills, the Landqart Mill located in Switzerland, the Dresden Mill located in Germany and the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill located in Quebec, Canada. Fortress Paper’s security papers include banknote, passport and visa papers and its specialty papers include non-woven wallpaper base products, and graphic and technical papers. Fortress Paper’s pulp business will include NBHK with the re-start of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill with plans to convert this capacity into dissolving pulp production along with the construction of a biomass based cogeneration plant.

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Fortress Paper with respect to its performance, business and future events, including statements relating to its plans to re-start, convert and build a biomass based cogeneration plant at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Corporation operates, including assumptions relating to the Corporation’s ability to successfully implement its business plan in respect of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill; that the Corporation will be able to receive all required approvals and complete construction of the cogeneration facility; and the expected effects of the cogeneration facility on the business of the Corporation. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, that the Corporation will be unable to implement its business plan in respect of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill as planned or at all; that the Corporation will be unable to receive all necessary approvals to begin construction of the cogeneration facility; and those risks relating to changes in the market, potential downturns in economic conditions, fluctuations in the price and supply of raw materials, foreign exchange fluctuations, labour relations, regulatory requirements, reputation, competition, dependence on major customers, and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Corporation’s public filings. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fortress Paper does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE:
Fortress Paper Ltd.