Press Release

[MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Sept. 19, 2005] – International Paper recently announced to its North American customers that its entire range of uncoated freesheet papers for imaging, commercial printing, envelopes and forms would be improved to a new standard of whiteness and brightness. These improvements are made with International Paper’s proprietary VIP Technologies™.

By introducing new whiteness and brightness levels, International Paper is changing the way you view the Hammermill brand on electronic imaging equipment and on your bottom line. "We’re giving consumers a paper that’s more appealing, and they’ll benefit by seeing improved image contrast with their printed work," said Tim Whelan, Hammermill brand manager. "The new Hammermill has a whiter substrate and enhanced paper aesthetic properties that make our new papers stand out."

International Paper is initiating this improvement for our customers. The company is better positioning its portfolio to compete on a global basis. At this time, IP reports that the changes are purely aesthetic in nature. The other key properties – such as opacity, smoothness and basis weight – will remain unchanged. The stock item codes will also remain the same.

The following chart lists which Hammermill products will be impacted:

International Paper (http://www.internationalpaper.com) is the world's largest paper and forest products company. Businesses include paper, packaging, and forest products. As one of the largest private forest landowners in the world, the company manages its forests under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program, a system that ensures the continual planting, growing and harvesting of trees while protecting wildlife, plants, soil, air and water quality. Headquartered in the United States, International Paper has operations in over 40 countries and sells its products in more than 120 nations.