Sappi Limited directors have resolved to declare a gross dividend of 15 US cents per share, payable in ZAR at an exchange rate (USD 1=ZAR) of 14.37037, being ZAR 215.55555 cents per share, for the year ended September 2017 out of income, in respect of Sappi ordinary shares in issue on the record date. Holders of Sappi "A" ordinary unlisted shares in issue on the record date shall be entitled to receive 7.5 US cents per share being 50% of the ordinary dividend so declared. The South African dividend withholding tax (DWT) rate is 20% and the net dividend payable to shareholders who are not exempt from DWT is ZAR 172.44444 cents per share. Last day to trade to qualify for the dividend is 9 January 2018; Shares commence trading ex-dividend on 10 January 2018. Record date is 12 January 2018 and Payment date is 16 January 2018. (FY 2016: 11 US cents).

The company announced Dr. Rudolf Thummer, independent non-executive director, will retire from the board at the end of December 2017, having reached the board's mandatory retirement age. Dr. Thummer was appointed to the board in February 2010 and was appointed to the Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee in February 2012.