Norske Skog Saugbrugs, together with its research and industry partners, has
been granted NOK 60 million in research funding from the Research Council of
Norway and Innovation Norway under the Green Platform Programme. The portfolio
of products to be developed aims to remove or greatly reduce the use of
petroleum-based raw materials and harmful materials, as well as to contribute to
increased recycling of plastics.

«It is through research and innovation that we create tomorrow's sustainable
society. Green platform is an important measure to ensure profitable green
transition, and will help us become more skilled at scaling up and linking
research to the market», says Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Trade and
Industry (Labour Party.

CEO of Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt, says: «Norske Skog will connect strong
professional R&D environments to develop unique and sustainable nanocellulose
and biocomposite products that the world will demand more of in the future. Our
unique fibre expertise will be a valuable contribution in creating sustainable
commercial value chains by utilising recycled and renewable raw materials».

Through the Green Platform Programme, the Norwegian Government wants research
and technology development to create green and sustainable solutions and
products, and stimulate to more investment from Norwegian companies. The
government prioritises collaborative relationships that utilise synergies from
several R&D environments and business value chains. The purpose is to create
green jobs and a more sustainable future. The Government's investment programme
is managed through the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway, Siva and
ENOVA.

«It is very positive that Norwegian forestry can be utilised as a high-quality
raw material to create new materials that the world demands. We create value in
Norway by selling a processed product, but we also contribute to more
sustainable recycling of plastics and reduce the use of fossil raw materials»,
says Minister of Agriculture and Food, Sandra Borch (Centre Party).

Through established companies and product brands CEBINA (nanocellulose) and
CEBICO (biocomposite), Norske Skog Saugbrugs has conducted a number of
successful research and test studies that have already resulted in new product
applications with a number of customers.

«I am very proud of the new, sustainable products we have managed to develop at
Norske Skog so far. The support from the Research Council and Innovation Norway
will strengthen and accelerate this activity considerably going forward», says
Hugo Harstad, Director of Business Development at Norske Skog Saugbrugs.

The nanocellulose product CEBINA has been developed during the past ten years at
Norske Skog Saugbrugs. CEBINA is a natural product of fibrillated cellulose that
provides improved flow properties for liquids and reinforcement in solid
materials. The use of CEBINA ranges from strength gains in paper and glue to
anti-drip effect in paints and fillers. After extensive marketing work, CEBINA
products are now sold to several external customers in Norway and
internationally.

Norske Skog Saugbrugs is also working to find solutions to the world's plastics
problem, through the development and testing of biocomposites under the product
name CEBICO. Norske Skog Saugbrugs has previously received support of NOK 15
million from Innovation Norway to build a demonstration plant with a production
capacity of 300 tonnes. The plant was completed during December last year.

The partners under the Green Platform Programme are broadly composed of
participants from raw material producers and suppliers, such as Brenntag,
Quantafuel, Replast and Norske Skog Saugbrugs, as well as conversion companies
that process thermosetting and thermoplastics in a wide range of applications
and industries, such as Gjøco, PipeLife, NCP, Katoplast, Hallingplast and
Arkeoplan. The research institutions SINTEF, RISE PFI and IFE will contribute
with high competence in fibre technology, nanocellulose, composites, polymers
and plastics knowledge.

«Norske Skog Saugbrugs has significant R&D competence that has the potential to
make a large contribution to the green shift by materially reducing CO2
emissions as a result of this project. The use of nanocellulose, the use of
recycled plastics and the development of recyclable biocomposites will be
important measures in the green shift and to reach a more circular economy ",
says Per Ivar Berg, CEO of Norske Skog Saugbrugs.


About Norske Skog Saugbrugs
Norske Skog Saugbrugs has 400 employees and a turnover of NOK 2.0 billion as
well as a production capacity of 360,000 tonnes of magazine paper with main
markets in Europe and North-America. Saugbrugs produces annually 2.0 million
cubic metres of biogas. Norske Skog Saugbrugs has established the companies
CEBINA and CEBICO to facilitate the new commercial areas within nanocellulose
and biocomposites, respectively.

About Norske Skog
Norske Skog is a world leading producer of publication paper with strong market
positions and customer relations in Europe and Australasia. The Norske Skog
Group operates four mills in Europe, two of which will produce recycled
containerboard following ongoing conversion projects. In addition, the Group
operates one paper mill in Australia. Norske Skog aims to further diversify its
operations and continue its transformation into a growing and high-margin
business through a range of promising energy and fibre development projects. The
Group has approximately 2 150 employees , is headquartered in Norway and listed
on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker NSKOG.

For further information:
Norske Skog media:
Vice President Communication and Public Affairs                                 
                                                               
Carsten Dybevig
Email: carsten.dybevig@norskeskog.com 
Mob: +47 917 63 117

Norske Skog financial markets:                                                  
                                              
Investor Relation Manager
Even Lund
Email: even.lund@norskeskog.com 
Mob: +47 906 12 919

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