Mercer International lInc. recently reported results for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Operating EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2012 was €21.3 million, compared to €17.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and €22.3 million in the third quarter of 2012. For 2012, Operating EBITDA was €107.1 million, compared to €167.1 million in 2011.
Mr. Jimmy S.H. Lee, President and Chairman, stated: "Overall, our fourth quarter and 2012 results reflect generally weak NBSK pulp prices due to continued economic uncertainty in Europe and China. However, our mills generally performed well in 2012 as we achieved record annual pulp production and sales volumes. We also set an annual record for energy and chemical sales in 2012 as sales increased by approximately 6% to €72.3 million from €68.1 million in 2011. The sale of surplus renewable energy provides us with a stable income source unrelated to cyclical movements in pulp pricing and increasing the same is a continuing focus for us."
Mr. Lee continued: "In the fourth quarter of 2012, although pulp supply and demand was generally balanced, prices were mostly stagnant with only marginal price increases. At the end of 2012, list prices in Europe were approximately $810 per ADMT and in North America and China were approximately $870 and $655 per ADMT, respectively."
Mr. Lee added: "In 2012, we continued to implement capital projects designed to enhance our mills' operating efficiencies and increase pulp and energy production. We completed an upgrade to the Rosenthal mill's recovery boiler in mid-2012 to increase production capacity and lower operating costs and emissions. In 2012, our Stendal mill commenced Project Blue Mill which is designed to increase its pulp and green energy production capacity by approximately 30,000 ADMTs and 109,000 MWh, respectively. The project is currently on schedule and budget and is currently expected to be completed and start to generate power sales in or about September 2013."
Mr. Lee concluded: "Although pulp prices currently remain weak, we believe supply and demand to be balanced and the market should emerge from the current pricing environment in 2013. We believe the announced huge expansion of tissue production capacity in China of over 2.3 million ADMTs by 2015, along with the indefinite curtailment of approximately 320,000 ADMTs of pulp production by two Canadian mills, will further support price improvement. Looking ahead, we are starting to see NBSK prices beginning to firm up and expect that a modest price recovery will continue into 2013. Overall we believe that, with continuing strong performance at our mills, along with increased energy revenues from initiatives like Project Blue Mill and improving market conditions, we are well positioned for 2013."
