Champion International Corporation Rated Among Most Influential in Sustainable Forestry.

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 29, 1999--

Champion International Corporation (NYSE:CHA) is among the most influential organizations in the United States on the issue of sustainable forestry based on recently completed research by Dr. Steverson Moffat of North Carolina State University.

Champion was consistently listed by survey respondents as one of the most influential organizations in the nation according to Dr. Moffat. The research was designed to determine if a consensus is emerging on the topic of sustainable forestry. One aspect of the study identified more than 300 organizations active in the issue in six sectors - academia; government (federal and state); forest industry; non-governmental organizations; and foundations.

"Champion was among the highest rated organizations in all sectors and the highest of all major forest products companies. The positive comments and frequent high ratings suggest that Champion is seen as an important force in sustainable forestry," said Moffat.

"We are especially gratified by the validation this study gives to our commitment to sustainable forestry," said Richard E. Olson, Champion's chairman and chief executive officer. "We've challenged all of our people to be leaders in sustainable forestry," Olson said.

The most influential private industry organization overall, as reported by the study, is the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), creator of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative(SM)(SFI)(SM) program. This program sets the sustainable forestry standards for forests in the United States.

Mark Childers, Champion's executive vice president of forest products, said he believes Champion's support for and implementation of SFI led to this recognition. "Two Champion executives have held leadership roles in the development of the SFI nationally. My predecessor, Dick Porterfield, is chairman of the SFI Executive Committee of AF&PA and Carlton Owen, Champion's vice president of forest policy, leads Champion's SFI voluntary verification program," said Childers.

Champion was a charter supporter of the SFI and was the first company in the nation to publicly commit to independent third-party verification of all its U.S. forestry operations against the rigorous standards.

Champion International Corporation is an integrated forest products company with significant operations in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. Champion is a major producer and distributor of coated and uncoated papers. The company's other products include market pulp, lumber and plywood, and selected paper for packaging. Champion has the responsibility for the sustainable management of approximately eleven million acres of forestlands supporting its manufacturing facilities.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative and SFI are service marks of the American Forest & Paper Association.