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Press Release
2007 Sappi Ideas That Matter grants announced

Print campaigns that really make a difference

Sappi, the world’s leading manufacturer of coated fine paper, has announced the recipients
of its annual Ideas That Matter grants.

The international Ideas That Matter programme provides grant funding to design students,
working designers and design agencies in order to develop print campaigns for social,
environmental and humanitarian causes in which they have a personal interest. Recipients
donate their time and expertise to the development of the each project, while Sappi provides
the funding needed to cover implementation costs.

Launched in 1999, Ideas that Matter draws applications from all over the world, and grants
totalling $1 million are awarded annually. Over the past eight years, these have resulted in
some of the most creative and effective campaigns ever produced for non-profit
organisations.

This year, 97 entries were received from designers and students in 21 countries, and 11 of
these were selected to receive funding.

The first stage of the judging process is handled at regional level in North America, Europe
and southern Africa, where Sappi has manufacturing units. A shortlist from each region is
then considered for the final international grants.

“Print remains one of the most powerful forms of communication,” says Eugene van As,
Chairman and Acting CEO of Sappi Limited. “It provides an immediate experience of the
communications message and, as a result, prompts a response at a very personal level.

“This makes print an exceptionally effective channel for non-profit organisations - for
fundraising purposes, education and raising awareness.”

This year’s winners hail from eight countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the
Netherlands, Spain and the UK, and the grants they have received will go towards
developing campaigns for such diverse causes as climate change, cancer research and the
social integration of youth.

“At Sappi, we believe in harnessing the power of print, and also in using that power to
promote socio-economic well-being,” says van As. “Ideas That Matter, the concept for which
was originally developed in consultation with our clients, supports creative, caring people that
are committed to making a difference to worthy causes in their own immediate communities.”

Ideas That Matter is a partnership-focused initiative, with designers, beneficiaries and

communities consulting together to identify areas of greatest need. Entries are assessed by
a panel of independent judges at both regional and international level, all experts in the
design and communications fields. Final awards are made on the basis of innovation,
creativity, impact and potential effectiveness.

“As the world’s leading producer of coated fine paper, Sappi is proud to be the sponsor of this
initiative,” says van As. “Our company is committed to conducting business in stable, healthy
communities, and Ideas That Matter is an important aspect of that commitment.”

For more information on Sappi and on the Ideas that Matter initiative, visit www.sappi.com.

More about Sappi Limited…/

More About Sappi Limited

A global leader in the pulp and paper industry, Sappi Limited conducts its business through
two business units, Sappi Fine Paper and Sappi Forest Products. This structure facilitates
the group’s commitment to excellence, and is focused on serving its growing international
markets efficiently and effectively.

Sappi Fine Paper is managed through three regional business units, namely Sappi Fine
Paper North America, Sappi Fine Paper Europe and Sappi Fine Paper Southern Africa. The
company produces a wide range of coated fine paper brands with an international reputation
for quality and innovation. Sappi’s Magno brand, for example, is the most widely sold coated
fine paper brand in the world. Also part of the Sappi Fine Paper range are uncoated graphic
and business papers, coated and uncoated speciality papers, and casting release papers.

Sappi Forest Products is a fully integrated Southern African pulp and commodity paper
business, and owns or manages plantations of approximately 540,000 hectares in size. One
of its operations, Sappi Saiccor, is the world’s leading producer of chemical cellulose, which
is used mainly in the manufacture of viscose staple fibre.

Sappi Trading, based in Hong Kong, operates a trading network for the international sales
and distribution of the products of the two divisions outside their core operating regions.

For further information :

Contact Person
Title/Position
Business Unit and Region
Tel +27 (0)11 222 3333
Fax +27 (0)11 222 3333
firstname.lastname@sappi.com