In December 2004 Stora Enso closed its acquisition of 65.5% of the Polish packaging producer Intercell S.A. The fair value of the net assets acquired, including net cash and deferred tax liabilities, amounted to EUR 201.2 million, of which the accounting value of the minority interest acquired was EUR 69.4 million, with another EUR 0.5 million minority within the Intercell group.
In February 2003 Stora Enso Timber acquired a 66% ownership of AS Sylvester’s sawmilling operations in the Baltic States, the 34% direct minority amounting to EUR 26.2 million with a further 3.8% indirect minority within Imavere Sawmill valued at EUR 1.4 million. The original purchase agreement provided for the buy-out of the remaining AS Sylvester minority in 2005 for a consideration to be determined by performance targets; this is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2005 upon which, subject to the small minority in the Imavere operation, Stora Enso Timber’s Baltic operations will become 100% owned.
In December 2002 the Group completed the disposal of the greater part of its Finnish forest holdings to a new company, Tornator Timberland Oy, thereby disposing of a minority of EUR 17.6 million.
Minority Interests
Year Ended 31 December
EUR million
2002
2003
2004
At 1 January
50.2
30.4
60.3
Translation difference
-2.0
-1.6
-0.3
Acquisitions
-
27.6
69.9
Disposals
-17.4
-
-
Income Statement
-0.1
5.8
8.1
Dividends
-0.3
-1.9
-1.9
At 31 December
30.4
60.3
136.1
Principal Minority Interests
As at 31 December
EUR million
2002
2003
2004
Intercell S. A. Group
Poland
-
-
69.9
Stora Enso Timber AS Group
Estonia
-
27.5
29.0
Corenso United Oy Group
Finland
17.3
16.9
18.3
Enocell Oy
Finland
4.3
4.2
4.2
FPB Holding 'GmbH & Co. KG (the former Feldmühle Group)