Metsä Group's parent company, Metsäliitto Cooperative, and Japanese trading company ITOCHU Corporation have completed a transaction on February 4, 2026, in which Metsäliitto acquired a 5.1% stake (3,884 shares) in Metsä Fibre Oy, from ITOCHU's wholly owned subsidiary, ITOCHU FIBRE LIMITED (Headquartered in London, UK; hereinafter "IFL").

As a result, Metsäliitto's ownership in Metsä Fibre has increased to 55.2%, while ITOCHU will retain 15,149 shares, representing 19.9% of the total share capital of Metsä Fibre.

The long-term commercial cooperation between Metsä Group and ITOCHU remains strong.

ITOCHU has steadily expanded its pulp business under a strong partnership with Metsä Fibre since investing in the company through IFL in 2012. However, in recent years, the business has faced structural challenges such as pulp market slowdown and sharp rise in raw material cost, both derived from multiple geopolitical factors. Given these challenges, ITOCHU has reviewed the appropriate degree of its capital involvement in the business.