Wausau Paper to Invest $15 Million to Increase Efficiency of Brokaw, Wisconsin Mill

Third Facet of Printing & Writing Business Profit Recovery Plan
Now Underway
MOSINEE, Wis.--(Business Wire)--
Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) today announced that its Board of
Directors approved a $15 million capital investment that will optimize
fiber handling and stock blending systems at its Brokaw, Wisconsin
mill. An automated pulp bale handling system is expected to be
operational by the end of 2008 with the balance of the system
scheduled for startup in the second quarter of 2009.

"We are pleased to announce the next step of our Printing &
Writing segment's three part profit recovery plan initially outlined
in the fourth quarter of last year. The first phase of our recovery
plan, system capacity reduction, is complete while the second phase of
our plan, initiatives to drive growth in higher margin markets, is
well underway," commented Thomas J. Howatt, Wausau Paper president and
chief executive officer. "Today's announcement represents the first of
several potential investments intended to significantly improve the
cost structure of the business. Project economics significantly exceed
our target 17 percent internal rate of return and will substantially
improve the capabilities and cost competitiveness of our Brokaw mill."

"This capital investment, which is part of the third phase of our
profit recovery plan, will significantly improve stock preparation and
blending at our Brokaw facility," added Daniel R. Trettin, Wausau
Paper's senior vice president - Printing & Writing. "The technology we
plan to use with this project is proven and will significantly improve
the operational stability of our paper machines and reduce labor
costs. The operating performance improvement to be achieved from this
investment is critical to returning this facility and our Printing &
Writing business to acceptable levels of profitability."

For over 100 years, Wausau Paper has been a leading manufacturer
of high quality, affordable, uncoated papers for consumers, printers,
graphic designers, and converters. From its mill facilities in Brokaw,
Wisconsin and Brainerd, Minnesota, Wausau Paper produces more than
2,000 different stock items from over 400 different types of papers
ranging in weight from 20 lb. writing to 100 lb. cover in a
comprehensive selection of colors, sizes and finishes. Approximately
two-thirds of Wausau Paper's Printing & Writing commercial stocking
items contain 30 percent recycled post-consumer fiber and carry the
independent Green Seal(TM) certification. Product is stocked in four
regional distribution centers enabling delivery within 24 hours to
most locations within the U.S.

Green Seal(TM) is a trademark of Green Seal, Inc., in Washington
D.C., and is used by permission.

Wausau Paper, with record revenues of $1.24 billion in fiscal
2007, produces and markets fine printing and writing papers, technical
specialty papers, and "away-from-home" towel and tissue products. To
learn more about Wausau Paper visit: www.wausaupaper.com.

Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995: The matters discussed in this news release concerning the
company's future performance or anticipated financial results are
forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Securities Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ
materially from those set forth in these statements. Among other
things, these risks and uncertainties include the strength of the
economy and demand for paper products, increases in raw material and
energy prices, manufacturing problems at company facilities, and other
risks and assumptions described under "Information Concerning
Forward-Looking Statements" in Item 7 and in Item 1A of the company's
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The company assumes no
obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that
become untrue because of subsequent events.

Wausau Paper
Investor and Media Contact:
Perry Grueber, 715-692-2056
Director Investor Relations
pgrueber@wausaupaper.com
Fax: 715-692-2020

Copyright Business Wire 2008