Packaging

KapStone Charleston Kraft Shows Sustainability Leadership With SFI Fiber Sourcing and Chain-of-Custody Certifications

Wednesday 03. June 2009 - As part of a broad commitment to corporate social responsibility, KapStone Charleston Kraft LLC, an unbleached Kraft paper and lumber producer, announced today it has achieved certification to the independent Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) (SFI(R)) fiber sourcing and chain-of-custody (CoC) standards across its five chip mills, Summerville Lumber Mill and Charleston Kraft paper mill. KapStone Charleston Kraft LLC is wholly owned by KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation (NASDAQ:KPPC).

“At KapStone Charleston Kraft, we have a strong commitment to sustainability, and so do our customers,” said Bruce Hoffman, Vice President and General Manager. “SFI(R) fiber sourcing and chain-of-custody certifications are a key component of our sustainability program and ensure our customers that the fiber in their products is sourced by following responsible forestry practices.”

With more than 160 million acres certified across North America, the non-profit SFI sustainable forestry certification program is one of the largest in the world, with a standard based on principles and measures that promote sound forest management including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk and forests with exceptional conservation value. Through SFI chain-of-custody certification, companies must have a tracking system in place so they can tell customers the amount of certified, uncertified and recycled content in the forest products they buy, use or sell. SFI Inc. stands apart from other certification programs by addressing the fact that 90 percent of the world’s forests are not certified to a credible standard. An SFI fiber sourcing label delivers assurance that the fiber in a product is from a responsible source, even if it comes from forests that are not certified.

“At a time when just 10 percent of the world’s forests are independently certified, KapStone Charleston Kraft joins a growing community of companies, landowners, and social and environmental organizations who have demonstrated their environmental commitment and leadership by achieving SFI certification,” said SFI Inc. President and CEO Kathy Abusow.

Included in KapStone’s SFI fiber sourcing and CoC certifications are five chip mill sites located in Kinards, Elgin, Andrews, Hampton and Givhans, a lumber mill in Summerville, S.C., and a paper mill in North Charleston, S.C.

“Certification to the SFI Standard means we will be able to meet increasing market demand for sustainably produced products, which is good for our business and good for our forests,” said Terry Jenkins, Vice President of Sales, Specialty Products.