“A solid balance sheet and healthy dividend continue to be the cornerstones of UPM. We are reshaping UPM’s business portfolio to increase UPM’s earnings and valuation for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Pesonen.
Pesonen highlighted that since 2007, UPM’s Pulp, Energy, Label and Asian Paper Business have grown by 43 % in the topline. Despite the economic slowdowns during the period, these businesses have shown positive and profitable growth figures.

“UPM’s growth businesses’ sales today exceed EUR 4.4 billion and we have confidence in further profitable growth with measured steps. Our target is that more than half of our sales will derive from the well performing growth businesses on the latter half of this decade", he said.  “Meanwhile sales of our mature businesses Paper, Timber and Plywood have come down by 11 % since 2007. During year 2012 we were able to achieve a small improvement in the EBITDA of our mature businesses but we will continue to focus on securing cash flow and competitiveness in these businesses.”

“While our growth businesses have a stable overall outlook, the price, volume and currency development will have a clear negative impact in the European paper business. We believe that the current economic environment will seriously test the structures of the whole of European paper industry. This pressure has lead and will continue to lead to structural changes which will be positive for the whole industry", Pessonen said.