OREANDA-NEWS. On 14 May 2009 was announced, that for the first quarter 2009 Ilim Group companies produced more than 538 thousand tonnes of pulp and paper products, 13% down year-over-year.

Market pulp output went down 13% to 346 thousand tonnes, board output went down 2% to 148 thousand tonnes. Paper output went down 34% amounting to 43 thousand tonnes.

Paul Herbert, CEO of Ilim Group, said that the beginning of 2009 year was really hard, but despite the crisis, in March the company managed to succeed in achieving its operation plan. "Our mills practically reached full capacity, due to the hard efforts to retain our traditional markets and find new ones. Our anti-crisis plan is yielding results but we must stick to this plan, because the market situation is still very tough", said Mr. Herbert.