SMARTRAC and UPM join forces

SMARTRAC N.V.  / Key word(s): Mergers & Acquisitions

22.12.2011 09:01

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted
by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Amsterdam and Helsinki, December 22, 2011 - SMARTRAC N.V., a leading
developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID transponders, announced that
the company has reached an agreement with UPM-Kymmene Corporation (UPM)
today by which SMARTRAC N.V. (SMARTRAC) will take over UPM's RFID business
while UPM-Kymmene Corporation will become an indirect stockholder of
SMARTRAC. The transaction is still subject to certain customary conditions,
including regulatory approvals.

As consideration for UPM's RFID business, UPM will obtain an indirect
economic interest in SMARTRAC N.V. of 10.6 percent via OEP Technologie
B.V.. OEP Technologie B.V. is an acquisition company controlled by One
Equity Partners (OEP). OEP Technologie B.V. holds approximately 87 percent
of the issued capital and voting rights in SMARTRAC.


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Information and Explaination of the Issuer to this News:

About UPM:
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new,
sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of
renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business
Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs
around 24,500 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's
annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki
stock exchange. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com.

About UPM RFID:
UPM RFID, part of UPM's Engineered Materials business group, is the world's
number one producer of HF, NFC and UHF radio frequency identification
(RFID) tags and inlays. UPM RFID has a global service network consisting of
factories in China and the United States and a broad network of sales
offices worldwide. Further information is available at www.upmrfid.com.

About SMARTRAC:
SMARTRAC is a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID
components for a broad range of applications in all current frequency
standards. The company produces both ready-made and customized transponders
for public transport, access control, RFID-based car immobilizers, animal
identification, libraries, industry, and logistics.

SMARTRAC is one of the global market leaders in high-quality RFID inlays
for electronic passports (e-passports) and contactless credit cards
(e-payment) as well as for RFID transponders for public transportation
applications. SMARTRAC was founded in 2000, went public in July 2006, and
trades as a stock corporation under Dutch law with its registered
headquarters in Amsterdam. The company currently employs approximately
3,300 employees and maintains a global research and development,
production, and sales network.

Forward-looking statements:
To the extent that this ad hoc release contains forward-looking statements,
such statements are based on assumptions, planning, and forecasts at the
time of publication of this ad hoc release. Forward-looking statements
always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments,
the conduct of competitors, political decisions, and other factors may
cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions,
planning, and forecasts at the time of publication of this ad hoc release.
Therefore, SMARTRAC N.V. does not assume any responsibility relating to
forward-looking statements contained in this ad hoc release. Furthermore,
SMARTRAC N.V. does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking
statements contained in this ad hoc release.


If you have any questions, please contact:
Tanja Moehler
Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing
SMARTRAC N.V.
Phone: +31 20 30 50 157
Email: tanja.moehler@smartrac-group.com
Internet: www.smartrac-group.com





22.12.2011 DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
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Language:     English
Company:      SMARTRAC N.V.
              Strawinskylaan 851
              1077 XX  Amsterdam
              Netherlands
Phone:        +31 20 30 50 157
Fax:          +31 20 30 50 155
E-mail:       investor.relations@smartrac-group.com
Internet:     www.smartrac-group.com
ISIN:         NL0000186633
WKN:          A0JEHN 
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart
 
End of Announcement                             DGAP News-Service
 
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