High Yield Presentation Credit Suisse September 2010
Forward Looking Statements The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this presentation contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to results of operations and financial conditions and business development activities, as well as capital spending and financing sources. Such forwardlooking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Mercer. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties, review Mercer s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 2
Company Investment Overview Mercer operates three world-class, large, modern mills that produce 1.5 million tonnes of high-quality NBSK pulp, a premium grade of kraft pulp U.S. domiciled corporation listed on both the NASDAQ (MERC) and the TSX (MRI.U) Three strategically located mills in BC and Germany, with excellent fibre baskets, in close proximity to key global markets Significant and growing revenue from sale of excess renewable, carbon-neutral electricity Mercer has grown through organic expansion, greenfield development and acquisition and its financial structure offers very high leverage to the pulp cycle Company employs approximately 1,500 people and had annual sales of approximately 620 million (US$864 million) in 2009 Despite short term weakness in China, we believe the future supply/demand outlook for NBSK remains strong 3
Overview of the Company 4
World Class Assets Mercer operates world-class mills which are some of the largest and most modern in the world Relative age and production capacity provide a competitive advantage Low production costs Low maintenance capital requirements High runability / efficiency State-of-the-art environmental compliance All facilities are net energy producers Note: Bubble sizes represent market and integrated pulp productions Source: Jaakko Pöyry, July 2010 Weighted Average Mill Capacity (000 mt/a) 750 600 450 300 150 0 30 Tembec 25 Botnia Ilim Canfor Pulp Mercer Howe Sound UPM SFK M-real SCA W. Fraser Södra Heinzel Clearwater Stora Enso WEAK Weyerhaeuser Domtar Billerud AbitibiBowater IP 20 15 10 Technical Age (Years) Q409 STRONG 5 0 Weighted Average Technical Age 20.1 years Weighted Average Capacity 370,000 t/a 5
Strategic Locations Mercer s strategic locations in Germany and Western Canada position the company well to serve customers in Europe, North America and Asia In particular, China the world s fastest growing pulp import market - and Germany the largest European pulp import market Stendal (Germany) 645,000 ADMT Celgar (B.C., Canada) 500,000 ADMT Europe Rosenthal (Germany) Middle East China Japan United States 330,000 ADMT Thailand Indonesia 6
Growing Electricity Revenues The sale of electricity is a significant and growing part of Mercer s operations Mercer has been a leader among paper and forest products companies in embracing the carbon economy and in harnessing significant value from its surplus power generation Electricity (000s MWh) 1,500 1,200 900 600 300 - Electricity Generation CAGR: 3.7% CAGR: 4.9% 2006 2007 2008 2009 Electricity Production Electricity Exports Mercer recognized the opportunity to secure a new revenue stream from its operations, as the market place turned to biomass for its carbon neutral power Energy Revenue (millions) 50 40 30 20 10 0 Green Energy Revenue CAGR: 27% 43 31 21 23 2006 2007 2008 2009 Celgar s new 48 MW turbine is expected to add between $20-$25 million ( 16-20 million @ FX of 1.28) annually to Mercer s green energy revenue starting 4 th Quarter, 2010. Project is primarily funded using C$40 million of Mercer s C$57 million Green Transformation Program funding 7
The Outlook for NBSK has Rarely Looked Better NBSK is a great business to be in now and in the future Global demand for NBSK continues to generally increase, as global production of tissue and specialty papers grows, emerging markets develop, and standards of living improve For example, in China, production volumes of fine paper and pulp based tissue are forecasted to grow at average annual rates of 13% and 10% from 2009 to 2013, respectively 1 Given the trend towards faster production rates, increased recycled content, and lower basis weights, NBSK will always be needed because of its strength Supply of softwood pulp is expected to remain flat or decrease slightly Generally, new capacity projects are overwhelmingly HW and the increase in SW supply from announced Ilim Bratsk mill opening in 2012 is expected to be more than offset by recent SW capacity closures Mercer is currently well positioned to benefit from climate change through opportunities such as favourable green energy rates for sale of surplus power and government incentives Climate change is making the cost curve of pulp and paper steeper, significantly disadvantaging inefficient and environmentally unsound operations and benefitting world class operations, such as Mercer s Flat supply, growing overall demand and positive exposure to the effects of climate change create an excellent operating environment for Mercer for the foreseeable future 1 Hawkins Wright Defining the China Market (October 2009) 8
NBSK Pricing and Global Supply 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 Source: RISI tables, PPPC USD EUR CAD 50 After having dropped to well below $600 in Q1-2009, NBSK prices have improved dramatically and we believe the market fundamentals will remain tight overall for the currently foreseeable future, despite recent announced price decreases in China 9 NBSK Price (Per Tonne) Days of Supply 40 30 20 10 Q1 2000 Q3 2000 Q1 2001 Q3 2001 Q1 2002 Q3 2002 Q1 2003 Q3 2003 Q1 2004 Q3 2004 Q1 2005 Q3 2005 Q1 2006 Q3 2006 Q1 2007 Q3 2007 Q1 2008 Q3 2008 Q1 2009 Q3 2009 Q1 2010
Overview of Operations 10
Corporate Overview Mercer conducts operations through three subsidiaries; two in Germany and one in Canada Mercer operates the only two NBSK market pulp mills in Germany - Europe s largest market for NBSK pulp - and one of the largest, most modern pulp mills in North America Restricted Group 100% 100% 74.9% Rosenthal (Germany) Celgar (British Columbia) Stendal (1) (Germany) 330,000 ADMT 57 MW Capacity 500,000 ADMT 100 MW Capacity (2) 645,000 ADMT 102 MW Capacity (1) Pursuant to the terms of its 2013 Senior Notes, Mercer reports the Stendal mill separately from Rosenthal, Celgar and Mercer International Inc., (together the Restricted Group ) as the debt at Stendal is non-recourse to Mercer s other operations (2) Pro forma installation and operation of second turbine, scheduled for Q4 2010 11
Corporate Structure and Debt Restricted Group 100% 100% 74.9% Rosenthal (Germany) Celgar (British Columbia) Stendal (Germany) US$310 million senior unsecured notes due February 2013 US$2.3 million convertible notes due October 2010 US$48 million convertible notes due January 2012 506 million term loan due September 2017 Principle amount of the loan is 80% guaranteed by the German government The debt at Stendal is non-recourse to Mercer and its other operations and as such, the Stendal mill is reported separately from Rosenthal, Celgar and Mercer International Inc. (together the Restricted Group ). Stendal s debt has a fixed interest rate of 5.28% until maturity 12
Steady Decreases in Non-Fiber Conversion Costs 30% Mercer L4Q Non-Fiber Conversion Cost % Change from L4Q Q4-2005 Avg. non-fiber conversion cost 20% 10% 0% -10% -20% Q4 2005 Q2 2006 Q4 2006 Q2 2007 Q4 2007 Q2 2008 Q4 2008 Q2 2009 Q4 2009 Q2 2010 Since 2005, Mercer has managed to reduce non-fiber conversion costs despite escalating input costs through strategic capital investment and operational best practices 13
Improving Financial Performance EBITDA margins compressed in 2008 and through 2009 given the rapid weakening of the US dollar and increased fibre costs due to reduced saw milling activity In recent quarters, margins are strengthening given pulp price increases and new fibre contracts that have eased fibre costs 200 Annual EBITDA & Margin 23% 25% EBITDA ( mm) Change from L4Q Q4'05 160 120 80 40 0 60% 40% 20% 0% -20% Q4 2005 17% 15% 148 126 10% 7% 70 69 41 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Noncontrollable Costs Fiber Cost US/EUR FX Q2 2006 Q4 2006 Q2 2007 Q4 2007 Q2 2008 Q4 2008 Q2 2009 Q4 2009 Q2 2010 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Margin (%) EBITDA ( mm) 70 50 30 10-10 Q4 2008 Annual EBITDA & Margin 27% 62 18% 14% 8% 32 1% 3% 24-4% 1 4 13-8 Q1 2009 Q2 2009 Q3 2009 Q4 2009 Q1 2010 Q2-2010 30% 20% 10% 0% -10% Margin (%) 14
Celgar Fibre Challenges and Responses Up until 2006, Celgar relied almost exclusively on sawmill residual chips from a robust group of suppliers Sawmilling downturn caused spike in fibre costs Late 2006 through 2007, premiums were paid to sawmills to slow loss of residual chip supply and facilitate transition to whole tree chips Further sawmill curtailments and bankruptcy of two nearby large sawmills forced a rapid shift to log procurement and whole tree chipping on a large scale, Costs peaked in late 2008, with whole tree chips forming over 70% of Celgar s fibre needs Rolling L4Q Average Fiber Cost % Change in From Q3-2006 Actions taken to resolve the fibre situation have been very successful Invested C$10.0 million in Celgar s chip plant, designed to be a low cost facility capable of supplying 50% of Celgar s total fibre needs Developed resources to manage one of the largest and most sophisticated openmarket log procurement programs in Southern BC From the peak in Q4 2008 to the end of Q2 2010, Celgar has been able to sustainably reduce its per tonne fibre costs by close to 100/ADMT, on an annualized basis 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Q3 2006 Q4 2006 Q1 2007 0% 16% 32% Q2 2007 Q3 2007 Q4 2007 51% 64% 61% 59% 59% 64% Q1 2008 Q2 2008 Q3 2008 Q4 2008 Q1 2009 Q2 2009 80% 75% 66% 53% Q3 2009 Q4 2009 Q1-2010 33% 33% 34% Q2-2010 15
Segmented Sales Mercer has a well-diversified and stable sales mix Sizeable leverage to European markets in particular Germany world s largest NBSK market Significant exposure to China the world s fastest growing pulp market Growing exposure to tissue / hygiene end uses which have a higher growth rate for NBSK than printing and writing papers 2009 Mercer Sales by Geography 2009 Mercer Sales by End-Use Italy, 8% North America, 12% Europe, 53% Other European Union Countries, 19% China, 26% Tissues & Specialties 48% Germany, 27% Other Asia, 7% Printing & Writing (incl. coated & uncoated mechanical) 52% Other countries 2% 16
Financial Review 17
Balance Sheet As at June 30, 2010 (in 000s) Restricted Group Unrestricted Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Group ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 39,485 22,660 62,145 Receivables 69,176 55,929 125,105 Note Receivable, current portion 1,695 1,695 Inventories 58,250 31,332 89,582 Prepaid expenses and other 3,057 2,696 5,753 171,663 112,617 284,280 Property, plant and equipment 378,462 494,381 872,843 Other 3,139 4,488 7,627 Deferred income tax 3,860 3,860 Due from unrestricted group 76,008 (76,008) Note Receivable, long term portion 2,202 2,202 TOTAL ASSETS 635,334 611,486 (76,008) 1,170,812 LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued exp. 65,421 39,629 105,050 Pension (current portion) 653 653 Debt, current portion 2,939 20,250 23,189 69,013 59,879 128,892 Debt, less current portion 329,434 486,073 815,507 Loan, minority shareholders 30,485 30,485 Due to restricted group 76,008 (76,008) Unrealized derivative loss 63,880 63,880 Pension (long term) 20,932 20,932 Capital leases and other 6,806 4,165 10,971 Deferred tax payable TOTAL LIABILITIES 426,185 720,490 (76,008) 1,070,667 TOTAL EQUITY (DEFICIT) 209,149 (109,004) 100,145 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY 635,334 611,486 (76,008) 1,170,812 18
Capital Structure Mercer s Restricted / Unrestricted Group structure was used to effectively carve out the high leverage of the Stendal project company The Restricted group - created for the purpose of issuing $310 million in senior unsecured notes - is supported by the Celgar and Rosenthal operations Together, the mills provide approximately 830,000 tonnes of pulp production capacity Once Celgar s Green Energy Project is online in Q4 2010, the Restricted Group is expected to deliver approximately $40 million in annual electricity income per year Mercer s financial structure is unique and results primarily from the heavy involvement of governments in the form of non-repayable grants for the construction of its mills in Germany Mercer has received EUR 406 million in government grants for the construction of the Rosenthal, Stendal, and Celgar Green Energy Project The Stendal debt of EUR 506 million is guaranteed to 80% by the German Government and is non-recourse to the rest of Mercer Stendal s debt is amortizing and has a sinking fund account which will accumulate the first EUR 70 million of free cash flow during strong periods, and will be held on Stendal s balance sheet to support debt amortization and interest payments during weak periods Stendal s balance sheet is complicated by its deeply subordinated shareholder loans and a quarterly mark to market, non-cash valuation adjustment relating to its fixed interest rate swaps 19
Selected Financial Data - Consolidated 2006 2007 2008 2009 LTM Q2 2010 Q2 2010 Revenues Pulp 623,977 704,391 689,320 577,298 526,157 228,293 Energy 20,922 22,904 30,971 42,501 41,662 11,931 Total 644,899 727,295 720,291 619,799 567,819 240,224 Operating Income (Loss) 92,504 69,586 13,329 (12,799) 75,262 47,888 Interest Expense 91,931 71,400 65,756 64,770 65,223 16,898 Investment Income 6,090 4,453 (1,174) (1,804) 1,471 117 Gain (Loss) on Financial Instruments * 121,093 31,315 29,462 1,379 (18,352) (13,833) Net Income (Loss) 63,210 22,179 (72,465) (62,189) (6,508) 12,401 EBITDA ( 000's) 148,338 126,244 69,091 41,371 136,574 62,064 EBITDA (US$ 000's) 195,880 183,799 101,598 57,654 189,960 79,007 EPS (Basic) 2.08 0.62 (2.00) (1.71) (0.18) 0.34 * Includes gains (losses) on Stendal s interest rate swaps and foreign exchange gains (losses) on Mercer s US denominated intercompany debt, which are non-cash mark-to-market valuation adjustments occurring every quarter. In Q2 2010, the effect of these losses on EPS was 0.38 / share. 20
Selected Historical Financial Data - Restricted Group 2006 2007 2008 2009 LTM Q2 2010 Q2 2010 Revenues Pulp 360,986 401,251 400,969 318,448 397,886 124,480 Energy 7,030 9,118 12,119 15,183 14,437 3,840 Total 368,016 410,369 413,088 333,631 412,323 128,320 Operating Income (Loss) 34,402 36,670 (2,397) (20,900) 28,642 18,452 Interest Expense 34,354 28,472 27,027 27,351 28,399 7,957 Investment Income 5,316 5,303 6,834 5,002 5,376 1,285 Gain (Loss) on Financial Instruments * 15,245 10,629 (4,114) 7,139 (9,146) (9,371) Net Income (Loss) 9,351 17,492 (30,432) (35,927) (10,240) 2,075 EBITDA ( 000's) 62,221 65,589 26,470 6,804 57,631 26,150 EBITDA (US$ 000's) 82,162 95,491 38,926 9,482 80,158 33,288 EBITDA Margin 16.9% 16.0% 6.4% 2.0% 14.0% 20.4% * Includes foreign exchange gains (losses) on Mercer s US denominated intercompany debt, which are non-cash mark to market valuation adjustments occuring every quarter 21
Current Liquidity Position - Restricted Group ( millions) Q2 2010 Comments Cash 39.5 Restricted group cash balance Undrawn Celgar Revolver 3.8 Drawn by C$25.4 million; additional draws subject to borrowing base limits; renewed in Q4 2009; matures May 2013 Undrawn Rosenthal Facilities 26.4 Undrawn; matures December 2012 Restricted Group Liquidity 69.7 22
Credit Ratios Restricted Group LTM 1H 2010 Q2 2010 Annualized EBITDA / Interest 2.03 3.24 EBITDA Capex / Interest 1.45 3.05 Senior Debt/EBITDA 5.28 3.07 Net Senior Debt/EBITDA 4.59 2.67 Total Debt/EBITDA 5.77 3.36 Net Debt/ EBITDA 5.08 2.96 Total Debt/Total Capitalization 61.4% 61.4% Net Debt/Total Capitalization 54.1% 54.1% 23
Investment Highlights 24
Key Investment Highlights Operates world-class, large, modern mills that produce high-quality NBSK pulp which is a premium grade of kraft pulp Strategically located mills, with excellent fibre baskets, in close proximity to key global markets Strong, long-term forecast supply/demand outlook for NBSK Significant and growing revenue from sale of excess renewable, carbon-neutral electricity Financial structure offers very high leverage to the pulp cycle Experienced, shareholder-focused management team and board of directors 25
Appendix 26
Current Industry Environment 27
NBSK Is Needed for Strength NBSK is an essential component in a wide range of paper, tissue and hygiene products because of the strength its long, soft fibers provide Demand for NBSK will remain strong into the long term Its reinforcing properties ensure it is needed to provide the strength required by modern production technology Producers have generally substituted as much lower cost hardwood and recycled pulp into their furnish as their machines will allow, so any demand growth in their products translates directly into demand growth for NBSK While demand for some of the lower quality grades of paper is decreasing, demand for most grades in which NBSK is used, such as tissue, is forecasted to continue growing Improving global standards of living in countries such as China, aging populations, and growing interest in health and cleanliness are increasing demand for tissue and hygiene products Supply of NBSK is forecasted to remain flat or decrease The vast majority of the new pulp capacity that is coming online is hardwood There have been significant permanent softwood closures in recent years and global pulp inventories remain at near record lows The long term supply / demand fundamentals currently remain strong, with overall increased global NBSK demand in key segments and generally flat capacity going forward 28
Tissue is the Highest Growth Segment Since 2000, global tissue output has grown at an average annual rate of 3.9% and shows no signs of slowing down As populations age, global standards of living improve, and health and hygiene become larger concerns, demand for tissue and thus NBSK will continue to grow 30 26 22 Annual World Tissue Output (millions of tonnes) 18 14 2000 2009 Average annual growth rate = 3.9% 10 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Source: TerraChoice Market Services Inc., FAO, PPI Annual Review 29
Growth in Demand Could Accelerate The better off the developing world s populations are financially, the greater their demand for tissue and hygiene products will be millions of tonnes 14.6 12.6 10.6 8.6 6.6 4.6 2.6 0.6 Source: TerraChoice Market Services Inc. China Tissue Production and Consumption Consumption (%) of population not poor (McKinsey) Production 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% As the improvement in living standards is forecasted to accelerate in markets such as China, the associated demand growth for NBSK in these markets should also accelerate 0% % of population not poor 30
Permanently Shut NBSK Capacity Permanent & Indefinite Closures (Annualized Capacity, 000s tonnes) Company Mill Grade Annualized Capacity Restart Timing Volume Timing Volume Sappi Usutu, Swaziland, Africa BSK, UKP Q3 2009 230 Boise St. Helens, USA NBSK, BHK Q1 2009 275 Marathon Pulp Marathon, ON, Canada NBSK Q1 2009 200 Botnia Kaskinen, Finland NBSK, BHK Q1 2009 450 Lee & Man (EverGreen Pulp) Samoa, California NBSK Q4 2008 192 UPM Tervasaari, Finland NBSK, UKP Q4 2008 204 Stora Enso Norrsundet, Sweden NBSK Q4 2008 300 Domtar Lebel sur Quevillon, QC NBSK Q4 2008 300 Stora Enso Kemijarvi, Finland NBSK Q2 2008 250 West Fraser Hinton, AB, Canada NBSK Q4 2006 70 Tembec Smooth Rock Falls, ON, Canada NBSK Q3 2006 200 Bowater Thunder Bay, ON, Canada NBSK Q2 2006 100 Korsnas Gavle, Sweden NBSK Q2 2006 70 Weyerhaeuser Prince Albert, SK, Canada NBSK Q2 2006 260 Western Forest Products Squamish, BC, Canada NBSK Q1 2006 275 Catalyst Crofton, BC, Canada NBSK Q1 2009 375 Q4 2009 375 Stora Enso Uimaharju, Finland (Enocell) NBSK, BHK Q4 2009 375 Q4 2009 375 Harmac Pacific Harmac, BC, Canada NBSK Q3 2009 120 Q4 2009 120 Stora Enso Sunila, Finland NBSK Q4 2008 360 Q2 2009 360 Sinar Mas Mackenzie, Canada NBSK Q2 2008 235 Q3 2010 235 Buchanan Forest Products Terrace Bay, ON NBSK Q4 2008 350 350 Total 5,191 1,465 350 Net of Restarts Total 3,726 3,376 Despite recent restarts caused by record high pulp pricing, softwood pulp markets remain extremely tight due to steady demand growth and the permanent closure of high cost capacity. The latest statistics show global softwood inventories totaling 21 days of supply 1 Source: TerraChoice Markets Services Inc., company press releases 1 PPPC Flash Report June 2010 Potential Restart 31
Shrinking Global Supply of BSK millions tonnes 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 Most of the new pulp capacity that is coming online is hardwood pulp capacity. Total global softwood pulp capacity will remain flat as there is only one new softwood mill being built (Ilim) to replace the old, high cost softwood mills being shut Source: TerraChoice Markets Services Inc. World Market Pulp Capacity Bleached Softwood Kraft (-0.5% aagr 2008-2014) Bleached Hardwood Kraft (2.7% aagr 2008-2014) 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 32
Climate Change Presents Mercer with Opportunities Climate change has emerged as a very significant issue and Mercer is well positioned to benefit from the changes that will likely result Both Canadian and German governments provide support and incentives for green initiatives and energy production Our German operations receive superior energy rates for selling their generation under the green tariff structure of the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) Celgar signed a long term energy purchase agreement with the local utility, delivering 238,000 MWh of bioenergy annually to the grid at higher green rates In 2009, Celgar was awarded C$57.7 million under the Canadian government s Green Transformation Program Changes we see coming from climate change: Full utilization of forests Increased silviculture / thinning Increased cogeneration Technologies for bioproducts and the markets for these bioproducts will develop Mercer has already garnered significant benefits in the emerging carbon economy and we remain actively engaged with policy makers in all jurisdictions to maximize these benefits going forward 33
Climate Change Presents Mercer with Opportunities The scale and technical age of our mills will be a significant advantage as the carbon economy and associated legislation develops and matures As the cost of emitting carbon continues to rise, carbon costs will have a large negative impact for producers with high green house gas (GHG) intensity GHG intensity should structurally shift our industry s cost curve, with high GHG intensity producers moving steeper up the curve GHG Emissions / Tonne Produced 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 - Mercer Weyerhaeuser GHG Intensity / tonne Catalyst Canfor Pulp Canada Avg. * Cascades Tembec AbitibiBowater SFK Pulp Fraser Paper Domtar Mercer has positive exposure to the impacts of the carbon economy Its low conversion costs, small carbon footprint, and growing production of bio-products will allow Mercer shareholders to derive tangible economic benefits from climate change over the long term Source: CIBC World Markets Carbon and The Forest Sector (December 2008) * Canadian Average according to FPAC 34
Operations 35
Stendal Mill Historical Perspective - 2005 Greenfield mill constructed by Mercer, completed in Q3-2004 Project had a 1 Billion capital cost Was 63.6% Mercer owned Built with 275 million in German government grants 80% of debt guaranteed by government Expected to achieve 80% of its 552,000 ADMT design capacity in its first year Stendal is the most modern NBSK mill in the world and, with its large operating scale, delivers a very low non-fibre production cost 36
Stendal Mill 5 Year Review: Ownership position has grown to ~75% Production capacity has increased to 645,000 ADMT Stendal project debt has been reduced by 91 million since Q4-2005 Over the 2009 fiscal year, Stendal s net production costs were EUR 15 / ADMT lower than Rosenthal s Economies of scale have allowed for very low nonfiber conversion costs Maintained our strong performance in non-fiber conversion costs despite rising input costs Sophisticated fibre procurement organization and whole log chipping operation with enough capacity to supply 100% of Stendal s fibre needs Generated 712,458 MWh in 2009 Exported 300,286 MWh of energy, generating 27.3 million (US$ 38.0 million) in 2009 37
Stendal Mill Stendal continues to demonstrate considerable upside potential May 2010, Stendal achieved an average monthly production record of 1,914 ADMT / day Stendal has the potential to add another 40 MW of generating capacity, bringing total installed generating capacity to 140 MW 38
Restricted Group - Rosenthal Mill Built in 1999, the mill is modern, efficient, and ISO 9002 certified NBSK pulp capacity of 330,000 ADMT / year 2 nd largest biomass power plant in Germany (next to Stendal) with electricity generating capacity of 57 MW 14.5 million in revenue from electricity sales in 2009 (US$20.3 million) Strategically located in central Europe, Rosenthal offers a superior value proposition to customers Proximity to key European markets allows customers to operate on just in time inventory, saving them money and making Rosenthal the preferred supplier Rosenthal has a strong fibre supply as a result of: A strong sawmill industry that operates nearby Maintaining a very sophisticated log procurement organization and a large capacity whole log chipping operation 39
Restricted Group - Rosenthal Mill As a World Class operation Rosenthal has continuously: Increased pulp and electricity production Reduced the amount of natural gas, chemicals, electricity and wood needed to make a unit of pulp The operation has a best in class workforce that continues to take operating performance to new levels In fact the operation has been able to successfully absorb a 30% structural increase in the cost of fibre over the last 5 years Financially, Rosenthal generates strong returns as result of its: Superior location relative to customers Operation excellence 40
Restricted Group - Celgar Mill Historical Perspective - 2005 Celgar acquired by Mercer for US $210 million plus US$ 16 million acquired working capital Celgar at the time: Was a modern mill built in 1993 for C$850 million Had a capacity of 430,000 ADMT Operated by bankruptcy trustee since 1998 Operated in a region with a stable and diverse fibre supply 25% of its chips sourced from US in USD, forming a strong currency hedge Had a LTM operating EBITDA of US$23 million (C$31 million) Was benchmarked against all NBSK producers as a Second Quartile cost performer 41
Restricted Group - Celgar Mill Historical Perspective - 2005 Mercer targeted US$20 million EBITDA improvements within three years to be achieved through: Improve pulp price realizations 2003 pulp price realizations were approx. US$27/ADMT (C$38) below BC average Opportunities included enhancing sales strategy and improving quality Increase production capacity Grow capacity to 470,000 ADMTs in three years through high return capital projects Reduce production costs Reduce natural gas usage Eliminate electricity purchases Focus on preventative maintenance Celgar would become a World Class operation on par with the achievements at Rosenthal 42
Restricted Group - Celgar Post Acquisition Review Targeted US$20 million of annual EBITDA improvements within 3 years was greatly exceeded Pulp capacity had been increased to 500,000 ADMTs Pulp price realizations were significantly improved In 2007, became a net exporter of electricity Natural gas usage was significantly reduced Targeted annual EBITDA improvement was fully realized by the end of 2007 Financially, the targeted EBITDA improvements were more than offset by fibre Cost increases 2007 Celgar fibre cost increases impacted 2007 EBITDA by a negative C$45 million relative to 2006 Fibre Costs 2008 Celgar Fibre Cost increases impacted 2008 EBITDA by a negative C$81 million relative to 2006 Fibre Costs 43
Restricted Group Celgar Post Acquisition Review Fibre costs are expected to continue to improve Continued through further optimization Significant potential of upside incremental improvements if saw mill activity improves Green Energy Project, C$55 million project with targeted EBITDA improvement of $20-$24 million Secured 10 year contract with BC Hydro Secured C$ 40 million Government of Canada nonrepayable grant for capital costs (PPGTP) Scheduled to be fully operational Q4-2010 Secured an additional $17.7 million in nonrepayable capital funding from Government of Canada for green capital investments Currently evaluating a number of highly accretive projects for capital deployment Celgar s operational performance continues to demonstrate significant upside potential Monthly production record of 1,517 ADMT/day average for June 2010 Celgar will have a significant positive impact on the restricted group performance in 2010 44
Operating Performance 000s ADMTs 1600 1200 800 400 447 Total Pulp Production CAGR: 4.2% 1,405 1,425 1,397 1,302 1,185 000s ADMTs 400 300 200 100 Rosenthal Pulp Production CAGR: -0.3% 314 317 327 329 306 310 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 000s ADMTs 600 450 300 150 Celgar Pulp Production CAGR: 4.7% 476 486 439 389 467 000s ADMTs 750 600 450 300 150 133 Stendal Pulp Production CAGR: 6.7% 602 610 620 557 479 0 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Notes: Celgar acquisition closed in February 2005, Stendal start up was September 2004, production includes pulp produced from those dates. In 2009, Rosenthal underwent an extended maintenance shut-down, lowering total production. Also in 2009, Celgar was forced to curtail production due to rail car shortages from extreme weather conditions 45