Huhtamaki will optimize its rigid plastic operations in North America and close down the Phoenix, Arizona, production unit. The manufacturing equipment and operations will be consolidated into the Group's other plastics operations in Coleman, Michigan and New Vienna, Ohio. Huhtamaki will begin the restructuring process at the Phoenix facility immediately and approximately 70 employees will be impacted. The closure of the site is expected by the end of the first quarter 2009. Huhtamaki will take a one-time charge of approximately EUR 5 million in the fourth quarter 2008 to cover the cost of the closure and the optimization. The action is taken to lower infrastructure costs and to optimize production efficiencies, which strengthens Huhtamaki's ability to compete and improve profitability. The optimization is a part of the ongoing rigid plastic strategic review. For further information please contact: Ms. Kia Aejmelaeus, Head of Investor Relations, Tel. +358 (0)10 686 7819 HUHTAMÄKI OYJ Group Communications Huhtamaki Group is a leading manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging with 2007 net sales totaling EUR 2.3 billion. Consumer goods and foodservice markets are served by some 15,000 people in 65 manufacturing units and several sales offices in 35 countries. The parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, has its head office in Espoo, Finland and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Additional information is available at www.huhtamaki.com.