Mercer International Inc. Divests Last Paper Operation to Focus Exclusively on Pulp

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 /CNW/ -- Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC, TSX:
MRI.U) announced today it has divested its last remaining paper mill at
Fahrbrucke to focus exclusively on the manufacture and sale of pulp.
The Company currently expects to incur costs of approximately euro 6.0
million in connection with funding and other commitments related to the
divestiture.
Jimmy S.H. Lee, the CEO of the Company said: "This transaction completes
our strategy of exiting the paper business to focus on our core competency of
pulp.  Although the Fahrbrucke mill had attempted to focus on high margin
products, the small capacity of its paper machine did not permit it to make a
satisfactory contribution.  We are pleased to complete this divestment on
terms which control and quantify our cash costs, preserves the tax attributes
of the prior business and results in the mill being acquired by new owners who
are committed to maintaining the assets, including ongoing employment for
workers."  Mr. Lee concluded: "I would like to wish all the best and success
to the Fahrbrucke employees in the future under their new ownership."

Mercer International Inc. is a global pulp manufacturing company.  To
obtain further information on the company, please visit its web site at
http://www.mercerint.com

The preceding includes forward looking statements which involve known and
unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results
in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Among those
factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the
following: market conditions, competition and other risk factors listed from
time to time in the company's SEC reports.