The Legal 500

London/Chicago/Sao Paolo, 26 June 2009 - Baker & McKenzie has advised Fiberweb plc on its proposed joint venture with Petropar S.A. The 50/50 joint venture, which will be named FitesaFiberweb, is intended to create the second largest producer of spunbond and non woven fabrics in North and South America. Completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of both Fiberweb and Petropar shareholders.

The joint venture involves the combination of Fiberweb's existing operations in the US and Mexico with Petropar's Brazilian operations, and creates a leading player in the Americas with the potential to serve regional and global customers more effectively by leveraging a sophisticated asset and technology base. For the year ended 31 December 2008, the joint venture would have had proforma combined sales of US$191.7 million.

Baker & McKenzie fielded an international team, led in London by Partner Tim Sheddick and including associates Sophie Chandauka and Michael Rabinowicz in London; Partner Edward West in Chicago; and Partner Alexandre Pinto in Sao Paolo, assisted by associates Lara Schwartzmann and Sofia Endo.

Tim Sheddick, Corporate Partner at Baker & McKenzie, said: "We are delighted to have advised Fiberweb on this joint venture, which provides Fiberweb with a platform for future investment and growth and represents a significant step towards expanding Fiberweb's business into a new key market".

Petropar was advised by Pinheiro Neto Advogados and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

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For further details please contact:

Daniela Conte, Marketing & PR Manager (London) on

+44 (0)207 919 1526 or daniela.conte@bakernet.com  

Tim Sheddick, Corporate Partner (London) on

+44 (0)207 919 1265 or tim.sheddick@bakernet.com  

www.bakernet.com