Metsä Group’s comparable operating result in January …

The average sales prices of Metsä Group’s long-fibre pulp increased in the first three quarters of the year and took a downwards turn in the fourth quarter. The delivery volumes of Metsä Board’s paperboards decreased compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. Average prices in euros continued to rise. The steep increase in European energy prices significantly affected the production costs of Metsä Tissue’s tissue and greaseproof papers. The business area’s profitability was negative during the first three quarters, but thanks to changes in the product structure and the increase in product prices, profitability was clearly positive in the fourth quarter.