Stora Enso Joins Parelec's Certified RFID Partner Program As Exclusive Paper Substrate Supplier

The Global Speciality Papers Group of Stora Enso has signed an exclusive agreement with Parelec Inc. to join Parelec's Certified RFID Partner Program as a strategic partner for RFID antennae paper substrates. This exclusive program permits customers, such as major retailers, governments, and transit systems worldwide, to acquire RFID antennas from Parelec's Certified RFID Printers that are manufactured using Stora Enso speciality papers and Parelec's Parmod® conductive inks, for inlays, labels, packaging, and other applications requiring rapid turnaround and low cost. The companies have also initiated joint development and demonstration programs to pursue new RFID applications that utilize conductive ink and paper technologies.

"This alliance brings two leaders in their respective fields together with a common purpose, to offer the RFID market a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable paper-based RFID antennae technology solution," said David Diekelman, product development director of Stora Enso Global Speciality Papers. "Partnering with Parelec allows us to combine our expertise and approach to create powerful paper RFID inlay solutions that are optimized to deliver value and performance in all facets of the RFID value chain."

"All of us at Parelec are excited about having Stora Enso as a major RFID partner," said Geva Barash, chief executive officer of Parelec, Inc. "Their commitment to our conductive inks and the Certified RFID Partner program is a major endorsement of what we are trying to achieve. This will help us streamline Stora Enso's own RFID efforts as well."

Parelec's exclusive Certified Printer and Partners Program brings together the complete RFID value chain, from printers, substrate manufacturers, chip suppliers, attachment technologies, label makers, and custom integrators to end users, with the purpose of streamlining project implementation. Any eligible customer who is implementing RFID projects can have access to Parelec's fully trained and certified printers who manufacture RFID labels, companies experienced in tag assembly operations, and integration.

About Stora Enso Global Speciality Papers
Stora Enso Global Speciality Papers, a business area within the Packaging Boards Division of Stora Enso Oyj, manufactures coated one-side papers for customers in the labelling, converting, and pressure-sensitive businesses. With manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe, Speciality Papers markets products globally through a matrix of regional sales managers, business development managers and Stora Enso's network of nearly 40 global sales offices. With innovative products, customer service and technical support, Stora Enso Global Speciality Papers helps customers grow and achieve operational effectiveness. For more information, visit www.storaenso.com/specialitypapers.

About Parelec
Parelec applies nanotechnology and advanced materials systems to develop and market conductive inks and related materials for manufacturing electronic circuits. The company's core product lines, Parmod® inks and pastes and Modflex™ films, provide cost, speed, and functional improvements over traditional circuit production materials, which benefit both producers and users of electronic circuits. Parelec's products are used to provide low cost RFID antenna, specialty, and flexible circuits, intelligent packaging, heaters/defrosters for plastic windows, and in semiconductor packaging for a wide variety of electronics and consumer products. For full details on the Certified Printer Program, please visit www.parelec.com.