The Swedish group SCA - SVENSKA CELLULOSA AKTIEBOLAGET (absorbent hygiene products, corrugated cardboard packaging and art paper) took-over, for USD 850 million, from AFH - AWAY FROM HOME (turnover of USD 640 million in 2000 with 2,200 employees and a production of 435,000 tonnes of hygiene paper), a company regrouping the paper activities of the American company GEORGIA-PACIFIC. At the same time, SCA is making an offer of USD 230 million to acquire the American company TUSCARORA (turnover of USD 285 million with also 2,200 employees), specialised in the packaging for electronic and industrial products. SCA is presently on the verge of merging with the Finnish METSA TISSUE, but this operation seems compromised by a refusal from the European competition authorities which should give their verdict in February. See EUROPE of 29 September, p.14.