SANTIAGO, Chile, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Empresas CMPC's Board of Directors today announced that they have approved the expansion of the Company's Guaiba mill, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

"This investment is a milestone for CMPC, the largest in the company's history. The Guaiba II project will almost double our market share of global pulp and help us meet growing demand for high quality wood pulp from clients in all our markets," said Mr. Hernan Rodriguez, CEO of CMPC. "This important decision taken by the Board of Directors is another step in CMPC's internationalization, and takes our total investment in Brazil to US$4.5 billion."

The project consists of the construction and operation of a new bleached eucalyptus pulp production line, with a total capacity of 1.3 million tons per year. This unit will be in addition to the existing bleached eucalyptus line at the site, which currently has an annual capacity of 450,000 tons per year. The second line is expected to begin producing pulp by the first quarter of 2015.

With this investment, CMPC will increase its pulp production capacity to 4.1 million tons per year, consolidating its position as a leading worldwide pulp manufacturer. Guaiba II will incorporate the latest technologies in the production of pulp, and will be 100% self-sufficient in terms of pulpwood supply. In this way, CMPC will be adding production scale while also maximizing efficiency, in keeping with its track record as a cost-advantaged producer.

CMPC has obtained all state, municipal and environmental permits and authorizations necessary to carry out the expansion of the Guaiba plant.

"This investment demonstrates the Company's capacity to grow via world-class, geographically diversified production facilities," Mr. Rodriguez said.

Investment and Financing

The expansion of Guaiba involves a total investment in industrial assets of approximately US$2.1 billion. In relation to the financing of this project, the Board agreed:

1. To propose a capital increase for Empresas CMPC S.A. of up to US$750 million. This capital increase is expected to be carried out in two stages: US$500 million during the first half of 2013, and the remaining US$250 million within the following three years, according to the needs of the Company or the project. This capital increase will be considered in an extraordinary shareholder meeting on January 24, 2013.
2. To authorize CMPC Celulose Riograndense Ltda., the Company's Brazilian unit, to obtain a credit worth up to BRL$2,510 million (approximately US$1.2 billion) with Banco Nacional do Desenvolvimiento Economico e Social de Brasil (BNDES). This facility is structured as a 10-year term loan with amortization of principal and interest payment on a monthly basis, starting after the investment plan is complete.
3. To use funds from cash held by the Company, arrange for a bond offering of up to US$500 million in the local or international markets, and the eventual sale of non-core assets such as properties with real estate value as well as the Company's 7.7% stake in BICECORP S.A. The sale of the stake in BICECORP will be executed in an open and competitive process, to maximize the selling price of the shares.

Conference Call

CMPC will host a conference call today, Thursday December 6, 2012 at 3:30pm Santiago / 1:30pm New York to discuss the expansion of the Guaiba mill and the Company's strategy. To listen to the call, please dial +1-866-652-5200 (US) or +1-412-317-6060 (international) at least 5 minutes before the start of the call. The password is "CMPC Conference."

About CMPC
Empresas CMPC produces pulp, paper, tissue, paper products and other forestry products throughout Latin America. The Company aims to deliver world-class products, from forestry to finished products, to its important global customer base. Its high quality timber and production facilities are strategically located in countries including Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador making the Company truly regional with a competitive cost structure. CMPC sells more than 25 different product lines to over 20,000 clients in more than 55 countries, always seeking long-term relationships.

SOURCE Empresas CMPC