L 53/66 Official Journal of the European Union 26.2.2005 COMMISSION DECISION of 8 September 2004 concerning investment aid in favour of Stora Enso Langerbrugge notified by Belgium (notified under document number C(2004) 3351) (Only the Dutch and French versions are authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2005/164[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provision(s) cited above (1) and having regard to their comments, Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE By letter dated 4 April 2003, pursuant to Article 88(3) of the Treaty and the point 76 of the guidelines for aid for the protection of the environment (3) (hereinafter ‘envir- onmental aid guidelines’), Belgium notified aid in favour of Stora Enso Langerbrugge (hereinafter ‘SEL). The case was registered under number N167/03. The Commission asked Belgium further information by letters of 20 May 2003, 17 July 2003 and 20 October 2003. Belgium provided further information by letters of 19 June 2003, 15 September 2003. On 9 July 2003 and 8 October 2003 meetings between representatives of the Commission, the Belgian authorities and the company took place. By letter of 27 November 2003 the Commission informed Belgium of its decision to initiate the procedure of Article 88(2) of the Treaty with respect to the notified aid. The decision was published in the Official Journal of 21 January 2004 (3). The Commission received two comments, including those of SEL. These were forwarded to Belgium by letter of 1 October 2003; the letter contained as well further questions from the Commission. By letter of 18 December 2003, Belgium asked to keep certain infor- mation in the decision confidential, commenting at the same time on parts of the content. Having asked for a deferral of the deadline by letter of 19 December 2003, () O] C 15 of 21.1.2004, p. 10. () O] C 37 of 3.2.2001, p. 3. () See footnote 1. which was granted by letter of 12 January 2004, Belgium commented on the Commission’s decision by letter of 29 January 2004. The Commission asked further questions by letters of 5 February 2004 and 5 April 2004. Belgium answered to these questions and commented on the comments received from third parties by letters of 8 March 2004, 2 April 2004, 10 June 2004 and 4 August 2004. Meetings took place on 28 April 2004 and 18 May 2004, and on 7 July 2004 a Commission representative visited the plant. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE AID 2.1. The beneficiary The beneficiary is N.V. Stora Enso Langerbrugge, subsidiary of Stora Enso Oyj, a large producer of magazine papers, newsprint, fine papers, packaging boards and wood products. In 2001 its turnover amounted to EUR 13.5 billion and its capacity was approximately 15 million tonnes of paper and board. The company employs some 43 000 persons. The aid concerns the establishment in Langerbrugge, near Gent. Turnover in Belgium amounted to EUR 55 million in 2000 (). 2.2. The project The project consists of five parts: (a) a new paper mill (PM4) and a de-inking plant (DIP2) for the production of newsprint with 100 % recycled fibre (100 % RCF newsprint); (b) adjustments to a paper mill (PM3) that in the past produced newsprint of 80 % recycled fibre, and is now to produce magazine paper with 80% recycled fibre (80 % RCF magazine paper); (c) a combined heat and power sludge combustor (sludge CHP installation); (*) http://www.storaenso.com