OREANDA-NEWS. Financial highlights

• Strong profitability despite challenging start to the year

• Supported by excellent operating performance and cost management

• ROCE of 13.7%, in excess of the Group’s through-the-cycle target of 13%

• Strong cash generation from operations of €845 million

• Total dividend for the year of 28.0 euro cents per share, up 8%

Strategic highlights

• Significant progress with strategic initiatives

o €1.2 billion spent on acquisitions increasing exposure to higher growth packaging segments

o Disposal of interest in non-core Aylesford Newsprint

o Capital employed in packaging businesses now 67% of Group total (57% at end of 2011)

• Integration of acquisitions on track

• Cost synergies from recent acquisitions now estimated at €30 million per annum, up 33% Financial Summary

€ million, except for percentages and per share measures

Year ended 31

December

2012

Year ended 31

December

2011

Change %

Six months ended 31 December 2012

Six months ended 31 December 2011

Change %

From continuing operations

Group revenue

5,807

5,739

1

2,967

2,797

6

Underlying EBITDA

923

964

(4)

487

438

11

Underlying operating profit

568

622

(9)

299

268

12

Underlying profit before tax

462

512

(10)

245

216

13

Operating profit

541

568

(5)

272

213

28

Profit before tax

371

457

(19)

148

157

(6)

Per share measures

Basic earnings per share - alternative measure

(€ cents)

69.6

71.8

(3)

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

(€ cents)

50.5

57.5

(12)

Total dividend per share (€ cents)

28.0

26.0

8

Free cash flow per share' (€ cents)

51.3

78.8

(35)

Cash generated from operations

845

917

(8)

Net debt

1,864

831

Group return on capital employed (ROCE)

13.7%

15.0%

David Hathorn, Mondi Group chief executive, said:

‘Mondi delivered a solid financial performance in what remains an uncertain economic environment. While the early part of the year was particularly challenging, trading picked up as the year progressed, culminating in a strong final quarter.

Continued strong profitability resulted in a return on capital employed (ROCE) of 13.7%, once again above our through-the-cycle target of 13%. Net debt finished the year at €1,864 million, largely due to the €1.2 billion of strategic acquisitions in higher growth packaging segments completed during the year. Our continued strong cash generation and underlying earnings per share of 69.6 euro cents per share has resulted in the directors recommending a final dividend of 19.1 euro cents per share, bringing the total dividend to 28.0 euro cents per share for the year, an increase of 8%.

Our focus in the near term is on the integration and optimisation of the recent acquisitions and successful delivery of the significant capital investment projects we have initiated over the course of the past year. I am very pleased to see the progress we have already made in integrating our recent acquisitions, exemplified by the fact we have revised upwards by 33% our estimate of expected synergies to €30 million per annum within two years.

Fundamentals for our core segments remain sound, although recently announced capacity additions by various manufacturers in selected paper grades are a concern, exacerbated by the prevailing demand softness as Europe remains affected by the macroeconomic slowdown. However, with the strong finish to the year, coupled with the expected contribution from the recent acquisitions, we remain confident of making progress in the year ahead. ’