HUHTAMAKI BECOMES FIRST FOODSERVICE MANUFACTURER TO OFFER PROCESSED
CHLORINE FREE PACKAGING

For Immediate Release 11-03-02
Contact: Susan Caskadon Chris Bruch - Huhtamaki USA
Phone: 303-329-8476 913-583-3025
Fax: 303-329-5813 913-583-8206
carskadon@indra.net chris.bruch@us.huhtamaki.com

Algonquin, IL - Huhtamaki, Inc. has become the first manufacturer in
North America of foodservice packaging to receive third party
certification as PCF (Processed Chlorine-Free) by the Chlorine Free
Products Association (CFPA). Huhtamaki manufactures foodservice products
for major companies such as McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell,
Sysco and Bunzl.

Huhtamaki, Inc., founded in Finland in 1920, provides packaging
solutions to 34 countries worldwide. In 2001, annual sales worldwide
were 2.4 billion dollars. The CFPA certification applies to the Hammond,
Indiana and Waterville, Maine manufacturing locations operated by
Huhtamaki.

The announcement comes after a three-month certification review process
conducted by CFPA auditors, Dr. Norman Liebergott and Dr. Rudra Singh;
both are TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp & Paper Industry)
Fellows.

Dioxin is a harmful by-product of the chlorine bleaching process, and is
a serious worldwide environmental and health problem. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute of Health
Services have sited dioxin as a known human carcinogen. Dioxin is found
throughout the environment in varying levels and collects in the fatty
tissues of animals including humans. It has also been implicated in
immune system suppression, reproductive failure, learning disabilities,
various cancers, and endometriosis.

"Huhtamaki has taken an important step with the decision to pursue the
CFPA certification," explains Chris Bruch, Director of Marketing for the
U.S. Foodservice Business Unit. "We believe the end-user will greatly
benefit because Huhtamaki is raising the sustainability bar for
foodservice packaging. We are taking a responsible, third party
certification approach to verify our commitment to: post consumer
content, no environmental permit violations, no harmful chlorine
chemistry, lower water consumption, no trees from old growth or
rainforests. This is our commitment to the consumer. Ultimately, it is
the consumer who benefits from a reduction in environmental dioxin
pollution and clean, sustainable, manufacturing."

Huhtamaki CFPA certified products include foodservice ware products that
consist of food trays; molded fiber plates, bowls and circles; and
carriers and tray products (cup carriers, cafeteria compartment trays,
and flat trays).

"By taking into account all factors of sustainability (the chlorine
free/ dioxin issue; water; recycling; energy and forestry issues), the
CFPA addresses a comprehensive approach to sustainability", explains
Archie Beaton, executive director of the CFPA. Certification of
Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) foodservice products is an important step
in relieving pressure on our natural resources, not only by utilizing
100% recycled materials, but by assuring that all factors of
sustainability are being addressed".

The Chlorine Free Products Association, headquartered in Algonquin,
Ill., is an internationally recognized trade association that brings
third party accountability to the environmental claims made by leading
pulp and paper manufacturers. Until the CFPA was established, consumers
were dependent on pulp and paper producers to "police" their industry,
since there are no federal standards for the terms "Processed Chlorine
Free" or "Totally Chlorine Free" at this time. Products that carry CFPA
certification provide the public a guarantee that they are purchasing
environmentally sustainable products. CFPA accountability focuses on all
aspects of environmental responsibility from manufacturing through to
consumer end-use. The organization's unique TCF (Totally Chlorine Free)
and PCF (Processed Chlorine Free) audit and certification program for
paper and fiber is the most complete and authoritative in the world. The
marks are trademarked by the CFPA and are used by companies who are
certified by the CFPA.