M-real launches review

M-real is the latest paper company to announce a strategic review, a process that could lead to a merger or the sale of some operations.

The firm said it was undertaking the review to "participate in the consolidation and restructuring of the European paper industry".

A spokeswoman for the company declined to comment further on the review, but confirmed that it was still in its very early stages, having commenced several weeks ago.

The announcement follows a doubling of the firm's consolidated losses in 2005 to 98m, revealed in its year-end results issued last month.

At the time, president and chief executive Hannu Anttila said he hoped to improve earnings by at least 20.5m, through improved efficiency and the firm's 137m annual cost savings plan.