<Page>
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------

                                   FORM 10-K
                                   ----------

<Table>
<S>  <C>
/X/      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                   SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</Table>

                  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001

                                       OR

<Table>
<S>  <C>
/ /    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                   SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</Table>

      For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

                          COMMISSION FILE NO.: 0-9409

                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
              EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER

<Table>
<S>                                     <C>
           WASHINGTON                                91-6087550
  STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION             IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION
</Table>

                  SCHUTZENGASSE 32, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, 8001
                               ADDRESS OF OFFICE

       Registrant's telephone number including area code: 41(43) 344 7070

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                           --------------------------

                 SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST, $1.00 PAR VALUE
                        PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS
                                 TITLE OF CLASS

                         ------------------------------

    Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/  No / /

    Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Rule 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. /X/

    The aggregate market value of the Registrant's voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the Registrant as of March 26, 2002 was approximately
$64,231,902. The last reported sale price of the common shares of beneficial
interest on the NASDAQ Stock Market's National Market on March 26, 2002 was
$7.00 per share.

    As of March 26, 2002, the Registrant had 16,794,899 common shares of
beneficial interest, $1.00 par value, outstanding.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    The Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
July 11, 2002 is incorporated by reference in Part III hereof. Certain exhibits
in Part IV of this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference from prior filings
made by the Registrant under the SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, as amended, and the
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, as amended.

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<Page>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                          --------
<S>        <C>                                                            <C>
                                      PART I
Item 1.    BUSINESS....................................................          4
           The Company.................................................          4
           Products....................................................          5
           Sales, Marketing and Distribution...........................          6
           Fibre.......................................................          8
           Capital Expenditures and Government Financing...............          9
           Pulp Mill Conversion Project................................         10
           Stendal Pulp Mill Project...................................         12
           Environmental...............................................         13
           Human Resources.............................................         14
Item 2.    PROPERTIES..................................................         14
Item 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS...........................................         16
Item 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.........         16

                                     PART II
Item 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
             STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.......................................         17
Item 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.....................................         18
Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
             AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.................................         18
           Results of Operations.......................................         19
             Year Ended December 31, 2001 Compared to the Year Ended
               December 31, 2000.......................................         19
             Year Ended December 31, 2000 Compared to the Year Ended
               December 31, 1999.......................................         20
           Liquidity and Capital Resources.............................         22
             Operating Activities......................................         22
             Investing Activities......................................         22
             Financing Activities......................................         23
           Foreign Currency............................................         23
           Cyclical Nature of Business; Competitive Position...........         24
           Stendal Pulp Mill Project Uncertainties.....................         24
           Labour Disputes.............................................         24
           Inflation...................................................         24
Item 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
             RISK......................................................         24
Item 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.................         28
Item 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
             AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE..................................         28

                                     PART III
Item 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT..........         29
Item 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION......................................         29
Item 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
             MANAGEMENT................................................         29
Item 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS..............         29

                                     PART IV
Item 14.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM
             8-K.......................................................         30
           Financial Statements........................................         32
           Supplementary Financial Information.........................         52
           SIGNATURES..................................................         53
</Table>

                                       2
<Page>
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Statements in this report, to the extent they are not based on historical
events, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
include, without limitation, statements regarding the outlook for future
operations, forecasts of future costs and expenditures, evaluation of market
conditions, the outcome of legal proceedings, the adequacy of reserves, or other
business plans. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are
subject to an inherent risk that actual results may vary materially from those
described herein. Factors that may result in such variance, in addition to those
accompanying the forward-looking statements, include changes in general economic
and business conditions, cyclical changes in supply and demand for pulp and
paper products, governmental regulations, the ability of management to execute
its business plan, product prices, interest rates, and other economic
conditions; actions by competitors; changing weather conditions and other
natural phenomena; actions by government authorities; uncertainties associated
with legal proceedings; technological development; future decisions by
management in response to changing conditions; and misjudgments in the course of
preparing forward-looking statements.

                                       3
<Page>
                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

THE COMPANY

    Mercer International Inc. is a Massachusetts trust organized under the laws
of the State of Washington in 1968. Under Washington law, shareholders of a
Massachusetts trust have the same limited liability as shareholders of a
corporation.

    In this document: (i) unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company"
or "Mercer" refers to Mercer International Inc. and its subsidiaries; (ii) a
"tonne" is one metric ton or 2,204.6 pounds; (iii) "Euro" refers to Euros, the
lawful currency of the European Economic Union, and "DM" refers to deutschmarks,
the lawful currency of Germany prior to the formal introduction of the Euro in
2002; and (iv) foreign assets and liabilities denominated in Euro have been
translated to U.S. dollars at the December 31, 2001 rate of exchange of
Euro 1.1227 to $1.00, and revenues and expenses denominated in Euro have been
translated to U.S. dollars at the average rate of exchange throughout 2001 of
Euro 1.1172 to $1.00.

    Mercer is a pulp and paper company with operations primarily located in
Germany and Switzerland. The Company's pulp operations are conducted through
Spezialpapierfabrik Blankenstein GmbH (formerly called Zellstoff-und
Papierfabrik Rosenthal GmbH) and its affiliates ("SPB") and its paper operations
are conducted through Dresden Papier GmbH (formerly called Dresden Papier AG)
and its affiliates ("DPAG"), all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Mercer. In December 2001, the Company acquired all of the shares of Landqart AG
("Landqart"), a specialty paper producer located in Switzerland, for
approximately $2.7 million.

    The Company currently employs approximately 975 people. Its manufacturing
plants consist of a pulp mill (the "Pulp mill") with an annual production
capacity of approximately 295,000 tonnes that produces softwood kraft (sulphate)
pulp and three paper mills (the "Paper mills") with an aggregate annual
production capacity of approximately 105,500 tonnes that produce printing and
specialty papers.

    In 1999, the Company completed a major capital project which converted the
Pulp mill from the production of sulphite pulp to kraft pulp and increased its
annual production capacity from approximately 160,000 tonnes to approximately
280,000 tonnes (the "Conversion Project"). Through subsequent minor capital
investments and efficiency improvements, the annual production capacity at the
Pulp mill has increased to 295,000 tonnes. As a result of the Conversion
Project, the Pulp mill is the only market kraft pulp manufacturing facility in
Germany. The aggregate cost of the Conversion Project was approximately
$385.7 million. See "Business -- Pulp Mill Conversion Project".

    Over the last five years, the Company has expended an aggregate of
approximately $423.8 million on capital investments on plant upgrades at its
mills to improve efficiency, reduce effluent discharges and emissions and
modernize its manufacturing plants. Approximately $104.9 million of such capital
investments were financed through non-refundable government grants.

    During such period, the Company implemented a strategy to focus on its core
operations and rationalize assets that either were not part of such core
operations or did not provide the desired level of return. As a result, in 1998,
the Company effected the Conversion Project, as well as sold its packaging paper
mill in Greiz, Germany and its carton paper mill in Raschau, Germany which had
been leased to another party since 1995. In the fourth quarter of 1999, the
Company took a special charge of $19.1 million relating to its paper operations,
as it intended to pursue strategic alternatives for certain of its Paper mills.
Effective June 2000, the Company sold its packaging paper mill located in
Trebsen, Germany. As a result, the Company no longer produces packaging papers.
Effective November 2000, the Company sold its printing paper mill located in
Hainsberg, Germany. The Company used proceeds resulting from such dispositions
to reduce indebtedness and fund working capital and capital expenditures.
Effective

                                       4
<Page>
December 2001, the Company acquired Landqart, a Swiss company that operates a
paper mill in Graubunden, Switzerland that produces specialty paper. Pursuant to
this acquisition, the annual production capacity of the Company's paper
operations increased from 85,000 tonnes to 105,500 tonnes.

    The markets for pulp and paper are highly competitive and sensitive to
cyclical changes in industry capacity, the economy, interest rates and
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, all of which can have a
significant influence on the Company's selling prices and overall profitability.
The Company competes with European and international pulp and paper firms
ranging from very large integrated firms to smaller specialty firms. Areas of
competition include price, innovation, quality and service. The Company's
competitive position is influenced by the availability and cost of its raw
materials, energy and labour, and its plant efficiencies and productivity in
relation to its competitors.

    The corporate strategy of the Company is to expand its asset and earnings
base both in Europe and internationally through the acquisition of interests in
companies and assets in the pulp and paper and related businesses. Effective
January 2000, the Company agreed, subject to certain conditions, to acquire a
controlling interest in a "greenfield" project to construct and operate a
550,000 tonne softwood kraft pulp mill (the "Stendal mill") to be located at
Stendal, Germany (the "Stendal Project"). The Company's participation in the
Stendal Project is subject to, among other things, completion of financing for
the project. The Stendal Project is currently estimated to cost approximately
Euro 884.2 million ($787.6 million) and to be completed by the end of 2004. See
"Business -- Stendal Pulp Mill Project".

PRODUCTS

    The Company manufactures and sells softwood kraft pulp and two primary
classes of paper products. The Company's products are produced from both virgin
fibre, being wood chips, pulpwood and chemical woodfree pulp, and recycled
fibre, being waste paper. The Company's manufacturing plants are located in
Germany in the States of Saxony and Thuringia and in Graubunden, Switzerland.
The Pulp mill is situated near the town of Blankenstein, Germany and has an
annual production capacity of approximately 295,000 tonnes. The Paper mills are
located at Heidenau and Fahrbrucke, Germany and Landqart, Switzerland and have
an aggregate annual production capacity of approximately 105,500 tonnes.

    The following table sets out the Company's primary classes of paper products
and the mills at which they are produced:

<Table>
<Caption>
PAPER PRODUCT CLASS                       MILL               PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
-------------------                       ----               -------------------
<S>                                       <C>                <C>
Specialty Paper.........................  Heidenau           Coated and uncoated wallpaper
                                          Fahrbrucke         Greaseproof paper
                                          Landqart           Banknote and security paper

Printing Paper..........................  Fahrbrucke         Woodfree printing and writing paper
</Table>

    Pulp is generally classified according to fibre type, the process used and
the degree to which it is bleached. In December 1999, the Company completed the
Conversion Project to permit the Pulp mill to produce kraft pulp. The kraft pulp
now produced at the Pulp mill is a long-fibred softwood pulp produced by a
sulphate cooking process and manufactured primarily from wood chips and
pulpwood. Kraft pulp is noted for its strength, whiteness and absorption
properties and is used to produce a variety of products, including lightweight
publication grades of paper, tissues and paper related products. A number of
factors beyond economic supply and demand have an impact on the market for
chemical pulp, including requirements for pulp bleached without any chlorine
compounds or without the use of chlorine gas. The Pulp mill has the capability
of producing both "totally chlorine free" ("TCF") and "elemental-chlorine free"
("ECF") pulp. TCF pulp is bleached to a high brightness using oxygen and
hydrogen peroxide as bleaching agents, whereas ECF pulp is produced by
substituting chlorine dioxide for chlorine gas in the

                                       5
<Page>
bleaching process. This substitution virtually eliminates complex chloro-organic
compounds from mill effluent.

SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

    The Company's paper sales and marketing operations focus primarily on
western European countries and are responsible for the majority of the Company's
paper sales. In 2001, paper sales conducted through agents were approximately
30% of total paper sales, compared to approximately 29% in 2000 and 32% in 1999.
The majority of the Company's paper products are sold to paper converters,
printers and wallpaper manufacturers.

    Most of the Company's kraft pulp sales in Western Europe are handled through
a sales agency agreement with Oy Metsa Botnia Ab ("Metsa"), a member of the
M-Real Group of Finland. Such sales comprised approximately 37% of the Company's
total pulp sales in 2001 and are currently expected to comprise approximately
50-55% over the next two years. Sales and marketing in other countries are
conducted by the Company's own sales staff through other independent agents. The
Company's kraft pulp is sold principally to tissue and paper mills.

    Pulp and paper sales are made on terms customary to the industry. At
December 31, 2001, there were no material payment delinquencies. The Company's
products are delivered to market by truck, rail and ship.

    The distribution of the Company's sales by volume, product class and
geographic area is set out in the following table for the periods indicated:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           --------------------------------------
                                                             2001           2000           1999
                                                           --------       --------       --------
                                                                          (TONNES)
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>
SALES BY VOLUME
Papers
  Packaging Papers.......................................        --         29,111(1)      68,615
  Specialty Papers.......................................    40,437(2)      41,422         36,518
  Printing Papers........................................    26,815         53,552(3)      57,714
                                                           --------       --------       --------
    Total Papers.........................................    67,252        124,085        162,847
                                                           --------       --------       --------
Pulp.....................................................   285,654        239,552         94,523(4)
                                                           --------       --------       --------
Total(5).................................................   352,906        363,637        257,370
                                                           ========       ========       ========
</Table>

                                       6
<Page>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           --------------------------------------
                                                             2001           2000           1999
                                                           --------       --------       --------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>
SALES BY PRODUCT CLASS
Papers
  Packaging Papers.......................................  $     --       $  8,758(1)    $ 17,822
  Specialty Papers.......................................    32,187(2)      33,112         29,658
  Printing Papers........................................    20,406         36,708(3)      38,010
                                                           --------       --------       --------
    Total Papers.........................................    52,593         78,578         85,490
                                                           --------       --------       --------
Pulp.....................................................   130,903        147,048         40,080(4)
                                                           --------       --------       --------
Total(5).................................................  $183,496       $225,626       $125,570
                                                           ========       ========       ========

SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA
Germany..................................................  $ 84,574       $ 95,376       $ 72,129
European Union(6)........................................    64,406         76,827         47,498
Eastern Europe and Other.................................    34,516         53,423          5,943
                                                           --------       --------       --------
Total(5).................................................  $183,496       $225,626       $125,570
                                                           ========       ========       ========
</Table>

------------------------

(1) The Company sold its packaging paper mill in Trebsen effective June 2000. As
    a result, the Company no longer produces packaging papers. Paper sales from
    the Trebsen mill prior to its sale are included in the Company's results of
    operations for 2000. The Trebsen mill sold approximately 29,111 tonnes of
    packaging paper for approximately $8.8 million in 2000.

(2) The Company acquired the specialty paper mill in Landqart in December 2001.
    These amounts do not include the results from the Landqart mill. The
    Landqart mill sold approximately 18,613 tonnes of specialty paper for
    approximately $38.7 million in 2001.

(3) The Company sold its printing paper mill in Hainsberg effective
    November 2000. Paper sales from the Hainsberg mill prior to its sale are
    included in the Company's results of operations for 2000. The Hainsberg mill
    sold approximately 24,964 tonnes of printing paper for approximately
    $15.5 million in 2000.

(4) The Company converted its Pulp mill from the production of sulphite pulp to
    the production of kraft pulp in 1999 and took approximately 4 1/2 months of
    downtime.

(5) Excluding intercompany sales of 10,447, 1,893 and 201 tonnes of pulp in
    2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

(6) Not including Germany.

                                       7
<Page>
    The following charts illustrate the geographic distribution of the Company's
sales for the periods indicated:

<Table>
<Caption>
         Year Ended                     Year Ended                     Year Ended
      December 31, 2001              December 31, 2000              December 31, 1999
      -----------------              -----------------              -----------------
<S>                            <C>                            <C>

           [LOGO]                         [LOGO]                         [LOGO]
</Table>

------------------------

(1) Not including Germany.

    In 2001 two customers accounted for approximately 22%, and in 2000 one
customer accounted for approximately 27%, of the Company's pulp sales, while in
1999 no single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's pulp sales.
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's paper sales in
2001, 2000 or 1999. The Company's paper sales are not dependent upon a single
customer or upon a concentrated group of major customers and the loss of any one
customer would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company's
pulp sales are conducted primarily through Metsa, which is a member of the
M-Real Group of Finland. The M-Real Group operates a number of different paper
mills. As the Company's pulp is delivered to a number of different paper mills
of the M-Real Group and its affiliates, pulp sales are not dependent upon the
activities of any single paper operation. The loss of the M-Real Group as a
customer may have a short-term material adverse effect on the Company.

FIBRE

    The fibre used by the Paper mills consists of waste paper (recycled paper)
and pulp, which are cyclical in both price and supply. The cost of such fibre is
primarily affected by the supply and demand for paper and pulp. Approximately
25% of the fibre used in the Company's paper operations consists of waste paper.
Germany has extensive waste paper recycling and collection laws which result in
a readily available supply. The cost of lower grade waste paper is currently
relatively low in comparison to virgin pulp fibre. The remaining 75% of the
fibre is made up of market pulps and chemical additives, both of which are
available at market prices from various suppliers throughout Europe. In 2001,
the Paper mills consumed approximately 15,270 tonnes of waste paper.

    The fibre used by the Pulp mill consists of wood chips produced by local
sawmills and pulpwood, which are cyclical in both price and supply. Wood chips
are small pieces of wood used to make pulp and are a product of either wood
waste from sawmills or pulpwood processed especially for this purpose. Pulpwood
consists of lower quality logs not used in the production of lumber. The costs
of wood chips and pulpwood are primarily affected by the supply and demand for
lumber. The Pulp mill is situated in a region which offers a stable fibre
supply. The wood chips are procured from approximately 60 sawmills located in
the States of Bavaria and Thuringia within a 150 kilometre radius of the Pulp
mill. Within this radius, the Pulp mill is by far the largest consumer of wood
chips. Wood chips are normally procured from sawmills pursuant to one year
supply contracts, which provide for quarterly price adjustments. Pulpwood is
partly procured from the state forest agency in Thuringia on a contract basis
and partly from private holders. The Pulp mill's fibre requirements are handled
and procured primarily by SCA Holz, which is the largest wood procurement
company in Germany and handles a total volume of approximately five million
cubic metres

                                       8
<Page>
per year. In 2001, the Pulp mill consumed approximately 1,585,791 cubic metres
of fibre comprised of approximately 1,098,187 cubic metres of wood chips and
487,604 cubic metres of pulpwood.

    The Conversion Project increased the annual production capacity of the Pulp
mill from approximately 160,000 tonnes to the current approximately 295,000
tonnes. The additional fibre necessary for the increase in production has been
met primarily from the Company's existing fibre sources. In late 1998, to ensure
an adequate supply of wood chips at the start-up of the Pulp mill upon
completion of the Conversion Project, the Company entered into a fixed price
contract to secure approximately 35% of the Pulp mill's requirements for wood
chips to the end of 2002. While fibre costs and supply are subject to cyclical
changes, the Company expects that it will be able to obtain an adequate supply
of fibre on reasonably satisfactory terms due to the location of the Pulp mill
and its long-term relationships with suppliers.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND GOVERNMENT FINANCING

    In 2001, the Company continued with its capital investment programs designed
to improve efficiency, reduce effluent discharges and emissions and increase
production capacity at its manufacturing plants. Such capital investments were
partially financed through non-refundable grants made available by German
federal and state governments and were used to offset certain wastewater fees.

    Under legislation adopted by the federal and certain state governments of
Germany, non-refundable grants are provided to qualifying businesses operating
in eastern Germany to finance capital investments. The grants are made to
encourage investment and job creation. Pursuant to the current terms of such
grants, federal and state governments will provide funding for up to 35% of the
cost of qualified investments. These grants are not recorded in the income of
the Company, but instead reduce the cost basis of the assets purchased by the
proceeds thereof.

    Loan guarantees are also available from German federal and state governments
for up to 80% of the loan for qualifying investments. These guarantees are
provided by such federal and state governments to assist qualifying businesses
with financing capital investments. The guarantees permit such businesses to
obtain term loans at below market interest rates. In addition, subsidized
interest rate loans are also available from public financial institutions in
Germany, which provide loans at below market interest rates for qualified
investments.

    The capital investments made by the Company to reduce effluent discharges
have been applied to offset wastewater fees that would otherwise be payable. At
December 31, 2001, the aggregate wastewater fees saved by the Company over the
last five years as a result of environmental capital expenditures were
approximately $16.9 million. See "Business -- Environmental".

    The following table sets out the Company's capital expenditures and
non-refundable grants recorded for the periods indicated:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      TOTAL           2001       2000       1999       1998       1997
                                     --------       --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Capital expenditures...............  $423,777(1)     $9,038    $24,884    $289,110   $85,954    $14,791
                                     ========        ======    =======    ========   =======    =======
Non-refundable grants..............  $104,935        $2,193    $50,967    $ 33,927   $16,125    $ 1,723
                                     ========        ======    =======    ========   =======    =======
</Table>

------------------------

(1) The Company spent an aggregate of approximately $385.7 million on the
    Conversion Project. Over the last five years, aggregate wastewater fees
    saved by the Company as a result of environmental capital expenditures were
    approximately $16.9 million.

    Capital investments in 2001 included a variety of smaller projects, none of
which exceeded $1.0 million. The largest projects were the replacement of a gas
turbine at the Fahrbrucke mill and the

                                       9
<Page>
addition of a new flotation plant at the Heidenau mill, at a cost of
approximately $0.8 million each. The Company anticipates that capital
investments at its Paper mills for maintenance and environmental projects will
total approximately $9.8 million in 2002. The Company is reviewing a number of
strategic initiatives designed to upgrade the product mix at the Paper mills and
enhance returns.

    Pursuant to the terms of their acquisition from Bundesanstalt fur
Vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben ("BVS"), the privatization agency of the
German government, the Company's pulp and paper operations in Germany were
obligated, among other things, to make a predetermined amount of capital
investments and maintain certain employment levels for specified periods. The
obligations in respect of the Company's pulp operations expired on December 31,
1998 and the obligations in respect of the Company's paper operations in Germany
expired in 2000.

PULP MILL CONVERSION PROJECT

    In December 1999, the Company completed the Conversion Project to convert
the Pulp mill to the production of kraft pulp and increase its annual production
capacity to approximately 280,000 tonnes. Through subsequent minor capital
investments and efficiency improvements, the annual production capacity at the
Pulp mill has increased to 295,000 tonnes. The Conversion Project has also
substantially reduced effluent and sulphur dioxide emissions and reduced energy
costs. In connection with the Conversion Project, the Pulp mill took
approximately 4 1/2 months of downtime commencing in August 1999 and operations
were successfully re-started in December 1999. The Pulp mill ramped up
production in early 2000 and has operated in excess of 90% of capacity since the
beginning of the second quarter of 2000.

    The Pulp mill is the only producer of market kraft pulp in Germany. Kraft
pulp is primarily used in the production of paper, tissues and paper related
products. Kraft pulp is the main type of pulp imported and sold in the European
market and Germany is the most significant pulp market in Europe. As a result,
the majority of the Company's kraft pulp production is sold in the European
market, with Germany comprising a significant portion of sales.

    The aggregate costs of the Conversion Project, including project financing,
capitalized interest of approximately $15.2 million and related costs and an
amount for contingencies, were approximately $385.7 million. The Conversion
Project was financed through a combination of a project loan, non-refundable
governmental grants, governmental assistance and guarantees for long-term
project financing and an equity investment by the Company.

    In 1998, SPB entered into a project loan agreement, as amended (the "Project
Loan Agreement") having a 15 year term with a German bank (the "Bank") and other
syndicated lenders (the "Lenders"), in the aggregate amount of
Euro 259.7 million (DM 508.0 million or $231.3 million) (the "Loan Facility"),
to finance the Conversion Project. The following summary of the material
provisions of the Project Loan Agreement is not complete and such provisions,
including definitions of certain terms, are qualified by reference to the
Project Loan Agreement and the applicable amendment agreements.

    The Loan Facility of Euro 259.7 million (DM 508.0 million or
$231.3 million) included a main facility of Euro 231.6 million
(DM 453.0 million or $206.3 million) for costs and expenses associated with the
project (the "General Tranche"), a working capital facility (the "Working
Capital Tranche") of Euro 14.3 million (DM 28.0 million or $12.8 million) which
could also be utilized by SPB for project costs, and a cost overrun facility
(the "Cost Overrun Tranche") of Euro 13.8 million (DM 27.0 million or
$12.3 million). The Cost Overrun Tranche was never utilized by SPB. As a result
of the Conversion Project being completed, SPB agreed in December 2000 in
amendment agreement No. 4 (the "Amendment Agreement") to the Project Loan
Agreement, which was approved in the first quarter of 2001, not to draw down the
Cost Overrun Tranche.

    Pursuant to the Project Loan Agreement, SPB deposited Euro 12.8 million
(DM 25.0 million or $11.4 million) into a restricted account (the "Overrun
Account") with the Lenders in 1998 to fund cost

                                       10
<Page>
overruns, if any, for the project. Pursuant to the Amendment Agreement, the
Lenders agreed to release SPB from its fixed-term deposit, if and to the extent
that SPB makes available this amount for the purposes of financing a portion of
the required balance on the debt service reserve account (the "Debt Service
Reserve Account") pledged in favour of the Lenders under the Project Loan
Agreement. SPB's obligation to provide further equity of up to
Euro 12.8 million (DM 25.0 million or $11.4 million) when needed to prevent the
occurrence of bankruptcy or similar proceedings will remain unaffected.

    The Amendment Agreement provided, among other things, that the amount of the
required balance on the Debt Service Reserve Account would be increased from
March 31, 2002 by an additional reserve amount of up to Euro 5.1 million
(DM 10.0 million or $4.6 million). This amount is to be comprised of annual
transfers to the Debt Service Reserve Account of 15% of the balance of all
amounts distributable to SPB which are credited at any repayment date to the
proceeds account (the "Proceeds Account") pledged by SPB in favour of the
Lenders under the Project Loan Agreement. The Amendment Agreement also provided
that all amounts credited to the Proceeds Account and the Debt Service Reserve
Account could be invested by SPB in short-term debt instruments that have been
given a short-term rating of A1 or a long-term rating of A- or higher by
Standard & Poor's Corporation, or a corresponding rating by another recognized
rating agency.

    Pursuant to the Amendment Agreement, the Bank provided to SPB a facility by
way of bank guarantee in the amount of up to Euro 2.6 million (DM 5.0 million or
$2.3 million).

    The German federal government and the state government of Thuringia provided
a guarantee (the "Governmental Guarantee") for 80% of the Loan Facility and the
Loan Facility is also secured by liens on substantially all of the assets of
SPB. In addition to the Governmental Guarantee, the state government of
Thuringia agreed to provide governmental grants of Euro 73.6 million
(DM 144.0 million) in respect of the project. These grants are non-repayable
provided that SPB maintains certain employment levels for a period of five years
after the completion of the project. In addition, the German federal government
agreed to provide, under existing programs, non-repayable investment subsidies
and grants totalling Euro 27.1 million (DM 53.0 million) in respect of the
project. To December 31, 2001, SPB had received government grants totalling
approximately $100.8 million. Such grants are applied to reduce the costs of the
assets acquired with the same.

    As provided for in the Loan Facility, an aggregate of Euro 142.7 million
($127.1 million) was drawn as at December 31, 2001 by SPB pursuant to special
credit programs (the "Special Credits") established by certain German public
banks for projects which enhance environmental performance. The amounts drawn as
Special Credits are part of the overall Loan Facility and repayment structure.
The rates of interest for the Special Credits are fixed for the first 10 years
at an annual amount equal to the Lenders' costs of such funds. The rate of
interest will be adjusted and reset after 10 years for the balance of the term.
These Special Credits permit qualifying borrowers to borrow money at favourable
rates of interest.

    The rate of interest for the Loan Facility (other than for amounts drawn as
Special Credits) is an amount equal to the three or six month Euribor rates plus
a margin of between 60 and 75 basis points. In connection with the Loan
Facility, SPB paid to the Lenders a 1% up front commitment/loan fee, and has
been paying a quarterly standby fee of 0.375% on the undrawn portions of the
Loan Facility less the amount of Special Credits and certain annual
administration fees during the term of the Loan Facility.

    The Loan Facility was available for drawdown by SPB until the earlier of the
official completion of the Conversion Project (as determined under the Project
Loan Agreement) or February 28, 2001. Pursuant to the Amendment Agreement, the
parties agreed that the completion date for the Conversion Project was June 30,
2000. Repayment of the General Tranche commenced on March 31, 2001 with
semi-annual payments on each March 31 and September 30 thereafter until final
maturity on September 30, 2013. The actual amounts of repayments will be based
upon a percentage of SPB's overall debt service profile. The Working Capital
Tranche was repaid in full in March 2001 as part of an extraordinary repayment.
As at

                                       11
<Page>
December 31, 2001, Euro 217.4 million ($193.6 million) had been drawn and was
outstanding under the Loan Facility in respect of the Conversion Project.

    The Company has hedged certain amounts under the Loan Facility against
currency risks. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
Risk".

    The Project Loan Agreement contains representations, warranties and
covenants customary to term project/construction loans of this nature,
including, without limitation, covenants to maintain an Annual Debt Service
Cover Ratio (as defined therein) of 1.1:1 and restrictions on encumbrances,
distributions, dispositions of material assets and further indebtedness for
borrowed money. The Project Loan Agreement contains various events of default
customary for term project/construction loans of this type which, after expiry
of any applicable curative periods, permit the Lenders to accelerate the Loan
Facility, including failure to make required payments, failure to comply with
the covenants in the Project Loan Agreement, failure to comply with certain
other obligations and the Company ceasing, without the prior consent of the
Lenders, not to be unreasonably withheld, to own directly or indirectly 51% or
more of the outstanding voting securities of SPB, unless a new third party owns
at least 51% of the voting securities of SPB and assumes all of the Company's
obligations to the Lenders.

STENDAL PULP MILL PROJECT

    Effective January 2000, the Company entered into a subscription agreement
with Zellstoff Stendal GmbH ("ZSG") and its three founding shareholders to
initially acquire a 25% interest in ZSG, which was to be increased to a 50.1%
interest subject to certain conditions. ZSG is a project company formed to
construct an approximately Euro 884.2 million ($787.6 million) "greenfield"
550,000 tonne softwood kraft pulp mill near the town of Stendal, in the German
State of Sachsen-Anhalt. The other shareholders of ZSG at the time were
Altmark-Industrie AG, Thyssen Rheinstahl Technik GmbH ("TRT"), a subsidiary of
ThyssenKrupp AG of Germany, and RWE Industrielosungen GmbH (formerly Tessag
Industrie-Anlagen GmbH), a subsidiary of RWE, a leading German power company.

    Under the terms of the subscription agreement, the Company initially
subscribed for a 25% interest in ZSG for a nominal sum, with the intention to
increase this to a 50.1% ownership position with an additional contribution of
approximately Euro 41.0 million (DM 80.2 million or $36.5 million). In
April 2001, TRT removed itself from the Stendal Project pursuant to a corporate
reorganization and its PRO RATA share of the project was redistributed among the
remaining shareholders for a nominal amount. Accordingly, the Company's
participation in the Stendal Project increased to approximately 37%. Given the
increase in the Company's participation in the Stendal Project, pursuant to the
terms of the subscription agreement, the Company's participation in the Stendal
Project will increase to approximately 57% with an additional contribution of
approximately Euro 51.7 million ($46.0). The increase in ownership is subject to
certain conditions, including the entering into of a formal shareholders'
agreement and the completion of financing in connection with the Stendal
Project. ZSG has already received the necessary permits for the construction of
the Stendal mill, as well as commitments for German federal and state grants and
subsidies. In July 2001, the Stendal Project received a financing commitment
letter from Hypovereinsbank ("HVB"). The commitment letter contains
representations, warranties, covenants and conditions customary for commitment
letters of this nature. The Company is in the process of trying to complete
definitive agreements relating to the commitment letter. The implementation of
the Stendal Project is expected to commence in 2002 and be completed by the end
of 2004.

    The Stendal mill will be located approximately 350 kilometres from the
Company's Pulp mill. As a result, the Company believes it will be able to
realize significant operating synergies between the two operations, particularly
in the area of raw material costs, production engineering and marketing.

    When completed, the Stendal mill is anticipated to be the largest pulp
facility in Germany and only the second market kraft pulp mill in Germany, both
of which will be owned by the Company. Furthermore, the Company anticipates that
the addition of production from the Stendal mill will allow the Company to

                                       12
<Page>
expand its customer base, as its two pulp mills will produce slightly different
grades of softwood kraft pulp. Germany is the largest importer of market pulp in
Europe.

    Financing for the Stendal mill is expected to come from three sources:
government financing, project financing and third party contributions.
Government financing includes investment grants and subsidies already committed
to the Stendal Project, as well as a deficiency payment bond to be granted by
German federal and state authorities to ZSG. Project financing will be sought
from banks or other lenders to complete the Stendal Project and finance the
start-up and ongoing operations of the Stendal mill. In July 2001, the Stendal
Project received a financing commitment from HVB in Germany for an aggregate
principal amount of approximately Euro 830 million to be provided in various
tranches. The financing commitment is subject to, among other things, completion
of due diligence and financial assistance from state and federal governments in
Germany. The Stendal Project has already received commitments for German federal
and state grants and subsidies. These commitments are awaiting final approval
from the European Union. Third party contributions will be sought by ZSG from
financial investors and/or engineering or supply partners to be advanced as
quasi equity and/or a subordinated loan. The Company is currently in the process
of determining the proportionate financing contributions of the shareholders of
ZSG, including the Company, the government financing, the project financing and
the third party contributions.

    Although the project to construct and operate the Stendal mill has received
favourable support from German governmental and regulatory bodies to date, there
can be no assurance that current governmental assistance programs will not be
amended in the future or that financial assistance will be provided to ZSG on
terms satisfactory to it or its shareholders, if at all, or that all necessary
environmental permits will be received on satisfactory terms upon completion, if
at all, or in time to permit ZSG and other investors in ZSG, including the
Company, to proceed with and complete the project as currently planned. In
addition, the Stendal Project is subject to customary risks and uncertainties
inherent for large capital projects which include, among other things, risks
that sufficient financing will not be available when needed or, if available, on
terms satisfactory to the Company, that the construction of the Stendal mill
will not occur on schedule or without cost over-runs, and that the Stendal mill
will not experience operating difficulties or delays during the start-up or
ramp-up period.

ENVIRONMENTAL

    The Company's operations are subject to a broad range of German federal,
state and local environmental laws and regulations, dealing primarily with
water, air and land pollution control. In recent years, the Company has devoted
significant financial and management resources to comply with all applicable
environmental laws and regulations. The Company's total capital expenditures on
environmental projects, excluding those incurred in connection with the
Conversion Project, were approximately $1.3 million in 2001 and are expected to
be approximately $0.8 million in 2002.

    The Company believes its operations are currently in substantial compliance
with the requirements of all applicable environmental legislation and
regulations and its respective operating permits.

    The Company has until the end of 2002 to reduce levels of NOx emitted from
the Pulp mill's gas burner. The Company has made a claim under a warranty
provided by a supplier in connection with the Pulp mill's gas burner to reduce
levels of NOx emitted by such gas burner. The Company expects that the matter
will be resolved prior to the end of 2002.

    In January 2000, the Company completed construction of a wastewater
treatment plant on land owned by the Company at the Heidenau mill, at a cost of
approximately $1.9 million.

    The Pulp mill has a relatively modern biological wastewater treatment and
oxygen bleaching facility. The Company has reduced its levels of AOX (Adsorbable
Organic Halogen) discharge to 0.02 kilograms per tonne of pulp produced, which
is in compliance with State regulations with respect to effluent

                                       13
<Page>
discharges. Effective January 1, 2001, the Pulp mill is required to maintain
levels of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) discharge at the Pulp mill below 25
kilograms per tonne. The Pulp mill is currently in compliance with these levels
of COD discharge. The Company will continue to modify its wastewater and
bleaching facilities at the Pulp mill to meet or exceed prescribed regulations,
which have been further enhanced as a result of the Conversion Project.

    Under German state environmental rules relating to effluent discharges,
industrial users are required to pay wastewater fees based upon the amount of
their effluent discharge. These rules also provide that an industrial user which
undertakes environmental capital expenditures and lowers certain effluent
discharges to prescribed levels may offset the amount of such expenditures
against the wastewater fees that would otherwise be payable. As a result, the
aggregate wastewater fees saved by the Company in 2001 as a result of
environmental capital expenditures made at the manufacturing plants were
approximately $3.4 million. The Company expects that its capital investment
programs for its manufacturing plants will offset the full amount of wastewater
fees that may be payable in respect of 2001 and 2002 and will ensure that its
operations continue in substantial compliance with prescribed standards.

    The Company periodically performs environmental audits of operational sites
and procedures both with Company personnel and outside consultants.

HUMAN RESOURCES

    The Company currently employs or holds positions for approximately 975
people. The Company employs or holds positions for approximately 727 people at
its German operations, of which approximately 221 are engaged in paper
operations and approximately 504 in pulp operations, including the Company's
transportation subsidiaries. In connection with the Conversion Project, the
Company has agreed with state government authorities to maintain at least 504
jobs at its pulp operations until June 30, 2005. The Company also established
transportation subsidiaries to deliver raw materials for the production of pulp
to the Pulp mill and deliver pulp products to its customers. The Landqart mill
in Switzerland currently employs approximately 246 people.

    The majority of the Company's employees in Germany are represented by the
Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau-Chemie-Energie (the "IG-BCE"), a national union
which represents pulp and paper workers in Germany. In 1998, the labour
agreement for workers at the Company's Paper mills in Germany was renewed until
the end of 1999, upon terms which provided for wage increases of 1.2% in
October 1998, 1.3% in July 1999 and 1.3% in December 1999. A new agreement was
reached in 1999 upon terms which provided for wage increases of 1.5% in
July 2000 and January 2001. The expiry date of this agreement was extended to
July 31, 2002 and the Company expects negotiations on another agreement to take
place in September 2002. The Company's employees at the Landqart mill are not
subject to any collective bargaining agreement.

    In 1997, the Company entered into a new five year labour agreement with its
pulp workers which provides for, among other things, wage increases of 1.5% in
September 1997, 2.0% in January 1998, 1.5% in August 1998, and 2.5% in
January 1999 and 2000, respectively; a profit sharing plan; and the Company to
maintain its existing employment levels until December 31, 2002. The labour
agreement established a wage rate of approximately 95% of the union wage rate in
the year 2001 for pulp workers in western Germany and at par with such rate in
the year 2002. The agreement is effective until the end of 2002 and a new
agreement will be negotiated in 2002 for subsequent years.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

    The Company has an office located in Zurich, Switzerland which is leased.
The Company also maintains offices in Germany and Switzerland which are owned.

                                       14
<Page>
    The Company's Paper mills and the Pulp mill are located in Germany in the
States of Saxony and Thuringia and in Graubunden, Switzerland. All of the mills
are situated on property owned by the Company. The German Paper mills operate
their own power plants to produce electricity and steam.

    The Heidenau paper mill serves as headquarters for the Company's German
paper operations. It produces specialty papers and has an annual production
capacity of 45,000 tonnes. The Fahrbrucke mill produces both specialty and
printing papers and has an annual production capacity of 40,000 tonnes. The
Fahrbrucke mill uses virgin fibre in producing various grades of printing
papers. The Landqart mill produces specialty paper and has an annual production
capacity of 20,500 tonnes.

    The Pulp mill has an annual production capacity of 295,000 tonnes and is
situated on a 220 acre site in close proximity to the Saale River and the town
of Blankenstein in the State of Thuringia. The Pulp mill was constructed between
1973 and 1977 and has been upgraded in several stages. Its facilities include a
complete wood fibre processing line with an oxygen bleaching plant, chemical
recovery systems, power plant, a biological wastewater treatment facility and a
waste disposal site. In December 1999, the Company completed the Conversion
Project. See "Business -- Pulp Mill Conversion Project".

    The following table sets out, by primary product class, the production
capacity and actual production of the Company for the periods indicated:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                              PRODUCTION(1)
                                                                  --------------------------------------
                                                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ANNUAL PRODUCTION   --------------------------------------
PRODUCT CLASS                                  CAPACITY(1)(2)       2001           2000           1999
-------------                                 -----------------   --------       --------       --------
                                                                       (TONNES)
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Papers
  Packaging Papers..........................            --             --(3)      28,762(4)      67,301
  Specialty Papers..........................        45,000         40,275         41,881         35,650
  Printing Papers...........................        40,000         26,852(5)      53,601(6)      56,983
                                                   -------        -------        -------        -------
    Total Papers............................        85,000         67,127        124,244        159,934
                                                   -------        -------        -------        -------
Pulp........................................       295,000        290,046        251,743         88,675(7)
                                                   -------        -------        -------        -------
Total.......................................       380,000        357,173        375,987        248,609
                                                   =======        =======        =======        =======
</Table>

------------------------

(1) These amounts do not include the results of the Landqart mill which was
    acquired in December 2001 by the Company. The Landqart mill has an annual
    production capacity of approximately 20,500 tonnes and produced
    approximately 18,500 tonnes of specialty paper in 2001.

(2) Capacity is stated upon the rated capacity of the plants as at December 31,
    2001, which is based upon production for 365 days a year. Actual production
    is generally based upon 340 days per year for the Paper mills and 353 days
    per year for the Pulp mill.

(3) The Company sold its packaging paper mill located in Trebsen, Germany
    effective June 2000. As a result, the Company no longer produces packaging
    papers.

(4) Includes production of approximately 28,762 tonnes from the Trebsen mill
    prior to its sale effective June 2000.

(5) The Company sold its printing paper mill located in Hainsberg, Germany
    effective November 2000.

(6) Includes production of approximately 25,463 tonnes from the Hainsberg mill
    prior to its sale effective November 2000.

(7) The Company converted its Pulp mill from the production of sulphite pulp to
    the production of kraft pulp in 1999 and took approximately 4 1/2 months of
    downtime.

                                       15
<Page>
    The Company owns a substantial amount of real estate adjacent to its Paper
mills, which is excess to its production requirements and may be divested.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    The Company is subject to routine litigation incidental to its business. The
Company does not believe that the outcome of such litigation will have a
material adverse effect on its business or financial condition.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

    Not applicable.

                                       16
<Page>
                                    PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

    (a) MARKET INFORMATION.  The Company's shares of beneficial interest trade
on the NASDAQ Stock Market's National Market under the symbol "MERCS" and on
NASDAQ Europe under the symbol "MERC". The following table sets forth the
quarterly high and low closing prices on NASDAQ for the two years ended
December 31, 2000 and 2001, and for the period ended March 26, 2002:

<Table>
<Caption>
FISCAL QUARTER ENDED                                            HIGH       LOW
--------------------                                          --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
2000
March 31....................................................   $ 9.00     $4.50
June 30.....................................................   $ 9.75     $7.50
September 30................................................   $11.06     $7.56
December 31.................................................   $ 8.00     $5.75

2001
March 31....................................................   $ 9.00     $6.75
June 30.....................................................   $ 7.91     $6.70
September 30................................................   $ 9.05     $6.25
December 31.................................................   $ 7.51     $5.40

2002
Period ended March 26.......................................   $ 7.90     $6.05
</Table>

    (b) SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION.  As of March 26, 2002, there were approximately
568 holders of record of the Company's shares and a total of 16,794,899 shares
were outstanding.

    (c) DIVIDEND INFORMATION.  The Company did not pay a dividend on its shares
of beneficial interest in 2000 or 2001. The actual timing, payment and amount of
future dividends paid by the Company will be determined by the board of trustees
of the Company from time to time based upon, among other things, the cash flow,
results of operations and financial condition of the Company, the need for funds
to finance ongoing operations and such other business considerations as the
board of trustees of the Company considers relevant.

                                       17
<Page>
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

    The following table sets forth selected financial information for the
Company for each of the last five years. The following financial information has
been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.

    The following selected financial data is qualified in its entirety by, and
should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed financial statements and
related notes contained elsewhere herein.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       ----------------------------------------------------
                                         2001       2000       1999       1998       1997
                                       --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                           (IN THOUSANDS, OTHER THAN PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues.............................  $196,989   $236,202   $127,867   $174,896   $184,107
Net income (loss) from continuing
  operations.........................  $ (2,527)  $ 29,474   $(38,109)(1) $  9,012 $(32,623)(2)
Net income (loss) from continuing
  operations, per common share,
  Basic..............................  $  (0.15)  $   1.76   $  (2.33)(1) $   0.59 $  (2.18)(2)
  Diluted............................  $  (0.15)  $   1.72   $  (2.33)(1) $   0.59 $  (2.18)(2)
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding,
  Basic..............................    16,875     16,779     16,390     15,352     14,995
  Diluted............................    16,875     17,144     16,390     15,384     14,995
Current assets.......................  $ 83,025   $ 92,881   $ 69,116   $121,716   $100,384
Current liabilities..................  $ 69,179   $ 66,216   $116,156   $ 56,695   $ 57,753
Working capital......................  $ 13,846   $ 26,665   $(47,040)  $ 65,021   $ 42,631
Total assets.........................  $382,643   $403,659   $455,845   $333,284   $210,294
Long-term liabilities................  $196,234   $212,036   $236,669   $123,570   $ 17,066
Shareholders' equity.................  $117,230   $125,407   $103,020   $153,019   $135,475
Cash dividends.......................  $     --   $     --   $    834   $    610   $    450
Cash dividends per share.............  $     --   $     --   $   0.05   $   0.04   $   0.03
</Table>

------------------------

(1) Net loss from continuing operations before the special charge was
    $16.0 million, or $0.97 per share.

(2) Net income from continuing operations before the special charge was
    $15.8 million, or $1.06 per share.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

    The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results
of operations of the Company as at and for the three years ended December 31,
2001 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Certain amounts in
the Company's financial statements and related notes have been restated to
conform to the current presentation. The following management discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the
restated financial statements for all prior years as aforesaid.

    In December 2001, the Company acquired the Landqart mill for approximately
$2.7 million. Results of the Landqart mill are not included in this discussion.

                                       18
<Page>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    Selected sales data for the Company for each of the last three years is as
follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           ------------------------------
                                                             2001       2000       1999
                                                           --------   --------   --------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
SALES BY PRODUCT CLASS
Papers
  Packaging Papers.......................................  $     --   $  8,758(1) $ 17,822
  Specialty Papers.......................................    32,187(2)   33,112    29,658
  Printing Papers........................................    20,406     36,708(3)   38,010
                                                           --------   --------   --------
    Total Papers.........................................    52,593     78,578     85,490
                                                           --------   --------   --------
Pulp.....................................................   130,903    147,048     40,080
                                                           --------   --------   --------
Total....................................................  $183,496   $225,626   $125,570
                                                           ========   ========   ========
</Table>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                      (TONNES)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
SALES BY VOLUME
Papers
  Packaging Papers.......................................        --     29,111(1)   68,615
  Specialty Papers.......................................    40,437(2)   41,422    36,518
  Printing Papers........................................    26,815     53,552(3)   57,714
                                                           --------   --------   --------
    Total Papers.........................................    67,252    124,085    162,847
                                                           --------   --------   --------
Pulp.....................................................   285,654    239,552     94,523
                                                           --------   --------   --------
Total(4).................................................   352,906    363,637    257,370
                                                           ========   ========   ========
</Table>

------------------------

(1) The Company sold its packaging paper mill in Trebsen effective June 2000. As
    a result, the Company no longer produces packaging papers. Paper sales from
    Trebsen mill prior to its sale are included in the Company's results of
    operations for 2000. The Trebsen mill sold approximately 29,111 tonnes of
    packaging paper for approximately $8.8 million in 2000.

(2) The Company acquired the specialty paper mill in Landqart in December 2001.
    These amounts do not include the results from the Landqart mill. The
    Landqart mill sold approximately 18,613 tonnes of specialty paper for
    approximately $38.7 million in 2001.

(3) The Company sold its printing paper mill in Hainsberg effective
    November 2000. Paper sales from the Hainsberg mill prior to its sale are
    included in the Company's results of operations for 2000. The Hainsberg mill
    sold approximately 24,964 tonnes of printing paper for approximately
    $15.5 million in 2000.

(4) Excluding intercompany sales of 10,447, 1,893 and 201 tonnes of pulp in
    2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000

    In 2001, revenues decreased by $39.2 million to $197.0 million from
$236.2 million in 2000, primarily as a result of lower pulp prices and lower
paper sales. The Company completed the Conversion Project in late 1999 to
convert the Pulp mill's production to kraft pulp and increase its annual
production capacity. The Pulp mill ramped up production in early 2000 and
operated in excess of 90% of capacity after the first quarter of 2000.

                                       19
<Page>
    Costs and expenses were $199.4 million in 2001, compared to $206.6 million
in 2000. Cost of sales decreased to $161.7 million in 2001 from $175.4 million
in 2000, primarily as a result of lower paper sales volumes. General and
administrative expenses increased to $16.5 million in 2001, from $14.3 million
in 2000, primarily as a result of payments made in connection with profit
sharing bonuses for the prior year and costs related to specific projects.
Interest expense in 2001 increased to $14.5 million from $14.0 million in 2000.

    The Company sold its printing paper mill located in Hainsberg, Germany
effective November 2000 for approximately $4.6 million plus an amount equal to
the net working capital associated with the Hainsberg mill from the sale. The
Company also sold its packaging paper mill located in Trebsen, Germany effective
June 2000 for approximately $8.7 million plus an amount equal to the net working
capital associated with the Trebsen mill from the sale. As a result, the Company
no longer produces packaging papers.

    In 2001, the Company reported a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.15 per share
on a basic and diluted basis, compared to net income of $29.5 million, or $1.76
per share on a basic basis and $1.72 per share on a diluted basis, in 2000.

    In 2001, the Company's pulp and paper sales decreased by approximately 18.7%
to $183.5 million from $225.6 million in 2000 on an 11.0% decrease in pulp sales
and a 33.1% decrease in paper sales. In 2001, pulp sales were lower than in 2000
as a result of weakening demand due to global economic weakness and high
producer inventory levels that lead to a decline in prices. Overall, in 2001,
paper markets were generally stable with prices increasing marginally.

    On average, pulp prices realized by the Company in 2001 decreased by
approximately 25.4% compared to 2000. Pulp sales decreased to $130.9 million in
2001 from $147.0 million in 2000, primarily as a result of a decrease in pulp
prices. Pulp sales volumes increased in 2001 as a result of increased
production. List prices for kraft pulp in Europe decreased from approximately
$710 per tonne at the end of 2000 to approximately $650 per tonne during the
first quarter of 2001, approximately $530 per tonne during the second quarter of
2001, approximately $460 per tonne during the third quarter of 2001 and
approximately $470 per tonne during the fourth quarter of 2001. Kraft pulp
prices continued to weaken at the end of 2001 as a result of high product
inventories and such weakening of prices continued in the early part of 2002.
The Company undertook a planned eight-day maintenance and modification shutdown
at its Pulp mill in August 2001 and was shutdown for 19 days over the year to
correct technical difficulties.

    Paper prices realized by the Company on average increased by approximately
23.5% in 2001, compared to 2000, primarily as a result of the disposition of
lower priced product lines. Paper sales in 2001 decreased to $52.6 million from
$78.6 million in 2000, on a volume decrease of 45.8%. In 2001, sales volumes for
printing papers decreased by approximately 49.9%, primarily due to the sale of
the printing paper mill in Hainsberg effective November 2000. Sales volumes for
specialty papers decreased by 2.4% compared to 2000. The Company did not sell
any packaging paper in 2001 as a result of the sale of its packaging paper mill
in 2000.

    On average, the Company's per tonne fibre costs for pulp production in 2001
increased by approximately 6.3%, compared to 2000, and remained among the lowest
in Europe. While prices for waste paper, which comprises approximately 25% of
the fibre for the Paper mills, increased by approximately 30.0% in 2001 compared
to 2000, they remained relatively low compared to the cost of virgin fibre.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

    In 2000, revenues increased by $108.3 million to $236.2 million from
$127.9 million in 1999, primarily as a result of higher pulp sales. The Company
completed the Conversion Project in late 1999 to convert the Pulp mill's
production to kraft pulp and increase its annual production capacity. The Pulp
mill ramped up production in early 2000 and operated in excess of 90% of
capacity after the first quarter of 2000. As the Company's products are
principally sold in Euro, the depreciation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar
by

                                       20
<Page>
approximately 13.6% on average in 2000, compared to the same period in 1999,
resulted in lower prices in U.S. dollar terms for the Company's products.

    Costs and expenses were $206.6 million in 2000, compared to $164.9 million
in 1999. Cost of sales increased to $175.4 million in 2000 from $117.3 million
in 1999, primarily as a result of higher pulp sales volumes. General and
administrative expenses decreased to $14.3 million in 2000, from $22.4 million
in 1999. Interest expense in 2000 increased to $14.0 million from $3.0 million
in 1999. In 1999, interest expense of $9.9 million in respect of the Conversion
Project was capitalized.

    The Company sold its printing paper mill located in Hainsberg, Germany
effective November 2000 for approximately $4.6 million plus an amount equal to
the net working capital associated with the Hainsberg mill from the sale. The
Company also sold its packaging paper mill located in Trebsen, Germany effective
June 2000 for approximately $8.7 million plus an amount equal to the net working
capital associated with the Trebsen mill from the sale.

    In 2000, the Company reported net income of $29.5 million, or $1.76 per
share on a basic basis and $1.72 per share on a diluted basis, compared to a net
loss of $38.1 million, or $2.33 per share on a basic and diluted basis, in 1999.

    In 2000, the Company's pulp and paper sales increased by approximately 79.7%
to $225.6 million from $125.6 million in 1999 on a 266.9% increase in pulp
revenues and an 8.1% decrease in paper sales. In 2000, pulp sales were
significantly higher than in 1999 as a result of the completion of the
Conversion Project in late 1999, and the subsequent ramping-up of production of
kraft pulp in 2000. Overall, in 2000, paper markets were generally stable with
prices increasing marginally.

    On average, pulp prices realized by the Company in 2000 increased by
approximately 44.8% compared to 1999. Pulp sales increased to $147.0 million in
2000 from $40.1 million in 1999, primarily as a result of a sales volume
increase of 153.4%. Pulp sales were strong in 2000 as a result of increased
demand and low producer inventories. List prices for kraft pulp in Europe
increased from approximately $600 per tonne at the end of 1999 to approximately
$630 per tonne during the first quarter of 2000, approximately $670 per tonne
during the second quarter of 2000 and approximately $710 per tonne during the
last six months of 2000. Kraft pulp prices started to weaken at the end of 2000
as a result of high product inventories and such weakening of prices continued
in the early part of 2001. The Company undertook a planned nine-day maintenance
and modification shutdown at its Pulp mill in late-September 2000. The shutdown
extended for an additional two days into October 2000.

    Paper prices realized by the Company on average increased by approximately
20.6% in 2000, compared to 1999, primarily as a result of rising costs of
materials. Paper sales in 2000 decreased to $78.6 million from $85.5 million in
1999, on a volume decrease of 23.8%. In 2000, sales volumes for packaging and
printing papers decreased by approximately 57.6% and 7.2%, respectively,
primarily due to the sale of the packaging paper mill in Trebsen effective
June 2000 and the printing paper mill in Hainsberg effective November 2000.
Sales volumes for specialty papers increased by 13.4% compared to 1999.

    On average, the Company's per tonne fibre costs for pulp production in 2000
increased by approximately 14.5%, compared to 1999, and remained among the
lowest in Europe. While prices for waste paper, which comprises approximately
25% of the fibre for the Paper mills, increased by approximately 147.6% in 2000
compared to 1999, they remained relatively low compared to the cost of virgin
fibre.

                                       21
<Page>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    The following table is a summary of selected financial information
concerning the Company for the periods indicated:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  2001            2000
                                                              -------------   -------------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
FINANCIAL POSITION
Working capital.............................................    $ 13,846        $ 26,665
Property, plant and equipment (net).........................     248,167         265,607
Total assets................................................     382,643         403,659
Long-term debt..............................................     193,169         208,315
Shareholders' equity........................................     117,230         125,407
</Table>

    At December 31, 2001, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totalled
$10.5 million, a net decrease of $8.0 million from $18.5 million at the end of
2000. At December 31, 2001, the Company had short-term trading securities
totalling $4.1 million, compared to $5.3 million at December 31, 2000.

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    Operating activities in 2001 provided cash of $26.7 million, compared to
$40.0 million in 2000. Net changes in trading securities provided cash of
$0.5 million in 2001, compared to using cash of $0.8 million in 2000. A decrease
in receivables and inventories provided cash of $7.0 million and $2.3 million,
respectively, in the current period, compared to an increase in receivables and
inventories using cash of $7.2 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in 2000.
A decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities used cash of
$0.8 million in 2001, compared to an increase in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities providing cash of $0.3 million in 2000. The Company expects to
generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its working capital
requirements for its paper operations. Working capital for the Company's pulp
operations will be funded from cash flow from operations.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    Investing activities in 2001 used cash of $9.3 million, consisting primarily
of capital expenditures on properties, compared to providing cash of
$38.3 million in 2000, primarily due to investment grants received by the
Company and sales of properties.

    The Company expects aggregate capital expenditures in 2002 to be
approximately $17.1 million, which will be funded from cash, cash flow from
operations and borrowings. In 2001, aggregate capital expenditures, excluding
costs in respect of the Conversion Project, were approximately $9.0 million,
compared to approximately $8.8 million in the same period of 2000.

    The Company completed the Conversion Project in the fourth quarter of 1999.
The Company's aggregate capital expenditures in respect of the Conversion
Project to December 31, 2001 were approximately $385.7 million. The Conversion
Project was financed by a combination of borrowings under the Project Loan
Agreement, non-refundable governmental grants, governmental assistance and
guarantees for long-term project financing and an equity investment by the
Company. See "Business -- Pulp Mill Conversion Project".

    In December 2001, the Company acquired the Landqart mill for approximately
$2.7 million, which was financed by working capital. The purchase agreement in
connection with the acquisition of the Landqart mill provides for an additional
cash payment of approximately $2.0 million based on certain profitability
criteria being met prior to September 30, 2003. The purchase price may be
further increased if certain parcels of real estate are sold prior to
January 1, 2004.

                                       22
<Page>
FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    In 2001, financing activities used cash of $26.9 million, primarily as a
result of the repayment of $25.6 million of amounts due in connection with the
Conversion Project, compared to using cash of $61.5 million in 2000.

    The Company's pulp and paper operations had net operating tax losses of
approximately $175.0 million at December 31, 2001, which under former German tax
laws could be carried forward indefinitely. However, the German government has
amended its tax laws to restrict the use of tax losses to offset future taxable
income in taxation years completed after 1996. The Company provided a valuation
reserve for much of these losses.

    Other than the agreement relating to the Stendal Project, the Company had no
material commitments to acquire assets or operating businesses. The Company
anticipates that there will be acquisitions of businesses or commitments to
projects in the future. To achieve its long-term goals of expanding the asset
and earnings base by mergers and acquisitions, the Company will require
substantial capital resources. The required necessary resources will be
generated from cash flow from operations, cash on hand, borrowing against its
assets and/or the sale of assets.

FOREIGN CURRENCY

    Substantially all of the Company's operations are conducted in international
markets and its consolidated financial results are subject to foreign currency
exchange rate fluctuations, in particular, those in Germany. In 2002, Germany
formally adopted the Euro as its currency in place of deutschmarks. The
conversion to the Euro did not materially affect the Company's financial
condition or results of operations. The Company's pulp and paper products are
principally sold in Euro and approximately 99% of the Company's revenues are
denominated in Euro.

    The Company translates foreign assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at
the rate of exchange on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are
translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the period.
Unrealized gains or losses from these translations are recorded as shareholders'
equity on the balance sheet and do not affect the net earnings of the Company.

    Since substantially all of the Company's revenues are received in Euro, the
financial position of the Company for any given period, when reported in
U.S. dollars, can be significantly affected by the exchange rate for Euro
prevailing during that period. In the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company
reported a net $7.7 million foreign exchange translation loss and, as a result,
the cumulative foreign exchange translation loss increased to $64.0 million at
December 31, 2001 from $56.3 million at December 31, 2000.

    The average and period end exchange rates for the U.S. dollar to the Euro
for the periods indicated are as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    2002                         2001                          2000
                         --------------------------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                     PERIOD AVERAGE
                         MARCH 26     TO MARCH 26     PERIOD END   PERIOD AVERAGE   PERIOD END   PERIOD AVERAGE
                         ---------   --------------   ----------   --------------   ----------   --------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>              <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>
RATES OF EXCHANGE......
Euro...................   1.1407         1.1395         1.1227         1.1172         1.0646         1.0861
</Table>

    Based upon the period average exchange rate in 2001, the U.S. dollar
increased by approximately 2.9% in value against the Euro since December 31,
2000.

                                       23
<Page>
CYCLICAL NATURE OF BUSINESS; COMPETITIVE POSITION

    The pulp and paper business is cyclical in nature and markets for the
Company's principal products are characterized by periods of supply and demand
imbalance, which in turn affects product prices. The markets for pulp and paper
are highly competitive and sensitive to cyclical changes in industry capacity
and in the economy, both of which can have a significant influence on selling
prices and the earnings of the Company. Demand for pulp and paper products has
historically been determined by the level of economic growth and has been
closely tied to overall business activity. During the past three years, pulp
prices have both risen and fallen at rates faster than previously experienced by
the industry. The competitive position of the Company is influenced by the
availability and quality of raw materials (fibre) and its experience in relation
to other producers with respect to inflation, energy, transportation, labour
costs and productivity.

STENDAL PULP MILL PROJECT UNCERTAINTIES

    The Company's participation in the Stendal Project is subject to certain
conditions, including completion of its due diligence and entering into a
shareholders' agreement. In addition, the Stendal Project itself is subject to
various risks and uncertainties customary to large "greenfield" projects of this
nature which may result in the Stendal Project not proceeding as currently
planned, or at all, such as availability and cost of materials and labour,
construction delays, cost overruns, weather conditions, governmental
regulations, availability of adequate financing, increases in long-term interest
rates and increases in taxes and other governmental fees. The Stendal Project
will also be subject to extensive and complex regulations and environmental
compliance which may result in delays, in ZSG and/or its shareholders, including
the Company, incurring substantial costs in relation thereto or in the Stendal
Project being amended or not proceeding at all.

    The implementation of the Stendal Project is currently expected to commence
in 2002 and be completed by the end of 2004. However, there can be no assurance
that the Stendal Project will proceed as currently planned, or at all. See
"Business -- Stendal Pulp Mill Project".

LABOUR DISPUTES

    The majority of the Company's employees in Germany are unionized and are
represented by the IG-BCE, a national union that represents pulp and paper
workers in Germany. The collective agreement relating to employees at the
Company's paper mills in Germany expires on July 31, 2002. The collective
agreement relating to employees at the Company's pulp mill in Germany expires at
the end of 2002. The Company expects to negotiate new collective agreements with
its pulp and paper workers in Germany in 2002. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to negotiate acceptable collective
agreements with its employees upon expiration of the existing collective
agreements. This could result in a strike or work stoppage by the affected
workers. The renewal of the collective agreements could result in higher wages
or benefits paid to union members. Accordingly, the Company could experience a
significant disruption of its operations in Germany or higher ongoing labour
costs, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition, result of operations and cash flow of the Company.

INFLATION

    The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on
revenues or income during 2001.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

    The Company is exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates,
foreign currency exchange rates and equity prices which may affect its results
of operations and financial condition. The Company manages these risks through
internal risk management policies which are administered by management.

                                       24
<Page>
    Pursuant to this strategy, approximately Euro 148.3 million of the principal
amount of the fixed interest credits portion of SPB's indebtedness as at
December 29, 2000 has been converted into approximately $124.7 million at a
forward rate of $0.841225 to Euro 1.00. The $124.7 million debt portion bears a
fixed interest rate of 5.83% per annum, payable quarterly in U.S. dollars. The
underlying term of the foreign currency forward rate swap covers the period from
December 29, 2000 to September 30, 2008, on which date the interest rate on the
fixed interest credits portion of SPB's indebtedness will be readjusted.

    In addition, approximately Euro 75.0 million of the principal amount of the
commercial debt portion of SPB's indebtedness as at March 31, 2001 was converted
into approximately $63.3 million at a forward rate of $0.844525 to Euro 1.00.
The $63.3 million debt portion bears a fixed interest rate of 6.80% per annum,
payable semi-annually in U.S. dollars, not including the bank margin of 0.6-0.7%
per annum which remains payable in Euro on the underlying Euro principal amount.
The underlying term of the foreign currency forward rate swap covers the period
from March 31, 2001 to September 30, 2013, the maturity date of the aggregate
principal amount due under the Project Loan Agreement.

    As of December 31, 2001, the current nominal amount of the two currency swap
contracts was approximately Euro 217.4 million and a fair value gain of
$0.4 million on these contracts was recognized during the year.

    Beginning in 2001, up to 30% of the quantity of pulp which represents
one-twelfth of the annual sales revenues of SPB may be hedged monthly to ensure
that a price of at least Euro 520.00 is hedged per tonne of pulp. The percentage
amount may be increased to a maximum of 70%. As at December 31, 2001, no
derivative contract had been executed with respect to pulp prices.

    During the first quarter of 2001, the Company entered into a
U.S. dollar/Euro forward contract in the amount of approximately
Euro 35.0 million, which was settled in March 2001. The contract resulted in a
$2.3 million loss.

    During the second quarter of 2001, the Company entered into two
U.S. dollar/Euro forward contracts in the aggregate amount of approximately
Euro 22.4 million, maturing in the second quarter of 2002. A fair value loss of
$0.4 million on these contracts was recognized during the year.

    Any change in the fair value of derivative instruments is included in the
determination of earnings.

    SPB agreed to grant to the Lenders a security interest by way of a pledge on
its claims against the Bank under all hedging agreements. Furthermore, the
parties to the Amendment Agreement agreed that the Bank's claims against SPB
under any hedging agreement is secured pari passu by all security interests
granted by SPB to the Lenders under the Project Loan Agreement (except the "C&L
Ausfallburgschaft", as defined in the Project Loan Agreement). To this effect,
certain amendment agreements to the security interest agreements and the
security pooling agreement under the Project Loan Agreement were executed by the
parties.

INTEREST RATE RISK

    Fluctuations in interest rates may affect the fair value of fixed interest
rate financial instruments. An increase in interest rates may decrease the fair
value of financial instrument assets and increase the fair value of financial
instrument liabilities. A decrease in interest rates may increase the fair value
of financial instrument assets and decrease the fair value of financial
instrument liabilities. The Company's financial instruments which may be
sensitive to interest rate fluctuations are investments, cash restricted, notes
receivable and debt obligations. The following tables provide information about
the Company's exposure to interest rate fluctuations for the carrying amount of
financial instruments that may be sensitive to such

                                       25
<Page>
fluctuations as at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and expected cash
flows from these instruments:

                            AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2001

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                 EXPECTED FUTURE CASH FLOW*
                        CARRYING     FAIR     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                         VALUE      VALUE       2002       2003       2004       2005       2006     THEREAFTER
                        --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                              (THOUSANDS)
<S>                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments(1)........  $  2,157   $  2,157   $ 2,157    $    --    $    --    $    --    $    --     $     --
Cash restricted.......    29,739     29,739     8,524        884        884        884        884       28,286
Notes receivable......     4,877      4,877       341      5,218         --         --         --           --
Debt obligations(2)...   203,806    203,806    24,974     28,953     21,677     21,732     21,831      144,620
</Table>

--------------------------

*   Including dividends and interest where applicable.

(1) Investments consist of debt securities.

(2) Debt obligations consist of the Company's notes and loan payable.

                            AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2000

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                 EXPECTED FUTURE CASH FLOW*
                        CARRYING     FAIR     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                         VALUE      VALUE       2001       2002       2003       2004       2005     THEREAFTER
                        --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                              (THOUSANDS)
<S>                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments(1)........  $  4,164   $  4,164   $ 4,164    $    --    $    --    $    --    $    --      $    --
Cash restricted.......    25,150     25,150     1,006      1,006      1,006      1,006      1,006       33,198
Notes receivable......     4,296      4,296       344        344      4,640         --         --           --
Debt obligations(2)...   143,417    143,417    11,494     17,423     20,951     15,880     15,274       95,774
</Table>

--------------------------

*   Including dividends and interest where applicable.

(1) Investments consist of debt securities.

(2) Debt obligations consist of the Company's notes and loan payable.

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK

    The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The Company held
financial instruments primarily denominated in Euro and, to a lesser extent, in
Swiss francs and Canadian dollars. A depreciation of such currencies against the
U.S. dollar will decrease the fair value of financial instrument assets and
financial instrument liabilities. An appreciation of such currencies against the
U.S. dollar will increase the fair value of financial instrument assets and
financial instrument liabilities. The Company's financial instruments which may
be sensitive to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are investments,
cash restricted and debt obligations. Foreign currency debt obligations subject
to U.S. dollar currency swap contracts are not subject to foreign currency
exchange risk. The following tables provide information about the Company's
exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for the carrying

                                       26
<Page>
amount of financial instruments that may be sensitive to such fluctuations as at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and expected cash flows from these
instruments:

                            AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2001

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                         EXPECTED FUTURE CASH FLOW*
                                CARRYING     FAIR     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                 VALUE      VALUE       2002       2003       2004       2005       2006     THEREAFTER
                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                                      (THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments(1)................  $ 3,682    $ 3,682     $2,796     $   --      $ --       $ --       $ --       $   886
Cash restricted...............   29,739     29,739      8,524        884       884        884        884        28,286
Debt obligations(2)...........   11,495     11,495      3,483      8,799        --         --         --            --
</Table>

------------------------

*   Including dividends and interest where applicable.

(1) Investments consist of debt and equity securities. Debt securities are
    denominated in Euro. Equity securities are denominated primarily in Euro,
    and to a lesser extent, in Canadian dollars.

(2) Debt obligations consist of the Company's notes and loan payable,
    denominated in Euro and Swiss francs.

                            AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2000

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                    EXPECTED FUTURE CASH FLOW*
                           CARRYING     FAIR     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                            VALUE      VALUE       2001       2002       2003       2004       2005     THEREAFTER
                           --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                                 (THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments(1)...........  $ 2,833    $ 2,833    $ 1,710     $   --     $   --     $   --     $   --      $ 1,123
Cash restricted..........   25,150     25,150      1,006      1,006      1,006      1,006      1,006       33,198
Debt obligations(2)......   21,652     21,652     23,937         --         --         --         --           --
</Table>

------------------------

*   Including dividends and interest where applicable.

(1) Investments consist of debt and equity securities. Debt securities are
    denominated in Euro. Equity securities are denominated primarily in Euro,
    and to a lesser extent, in Canadian dollars.

(2) Debt obligations consist of the Company's notes and loan payable,
    denominated in Euro.

EQUITY PRICE RISK

    Changes in trading prices of equity securities may affect the fair value of
equity securities or the fair value of other securities convertible into equity
securities. An increase in trading prices will increase the fair value and a
decrease in trading prices will decrease the fair value of equity securities or
instruments convertible into equity securities. The Company's financial
instruments which may be sensitive to fluctuations in equity prices are
investments. The following tables provide information about the Company's
exposure to fluctuations in equity prices for the carrying amount of financial
instruments sensitive to such fluctuations as at December 31, 2001 and 2000,
respectively, and expected cash flows from these instruments:

                            AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2001

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                     EXPECTED FUTURE CASH FLOW*
                            CARRYING     FAIR     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                             VALUE      VALUE       2002       2003       2004       2005       2006     THEREAFTER
                            --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                                  (THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments(1)............   $9,552     $9,552     $1,894     $   --     $   --     $   --     $   --      $7,658
</Table>

------------------------

*   Including dividends where applicable.

(1) Investments consist of equity securities.

                                       27
<Page>
                            AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2000

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                     EXPECTED FUTURE CASH FLOW*
                            CARRYING     FAIR     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                             VALUE      VALUE       2001       2002       2003       2004       2005     THEREAFTER
                            --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                                  (THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments(1)............  $10,566    $10,566     $5,320     $   --     $   --     $   --     $   --      $5,246
</Table>

------------------------

*   Including dividends where applicable.

(1) Investments consist of equity securities and debt securities convertible
    into equity securities.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

    The consolidated financial statements and supplementary data required with
respect to this Item 8, and as listed in Item 14 of this annual report, are
included in this annual report commencing on page 32.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

    Not applicable.

                                       28
<Page>
                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

    As a Massachusetts trust, the Company is managed by "trustees", who have
comparable duties and responsibilities as directors of corporations.

    J.S.H. LEE, age 45, has been a Trustee since May 1985 and President and
Chief Executive Officer since 1992. Previously, Mr. Lee served with MFC
Bancorp Ltd. as a director from 1986, Chairman from 1987 and President from 1988
to December 1996, respectively.

    C.S. MOON, age 55, has been a Trustee since June 1994. Mr. Moon is an
independent consultant. He was formerly the Executive Director of Shin Ho Group
of Korea, an international paper manufacturer headquartered in Korea until 1998.
Mr. Moon joined Shin Ho Group in 1990 and previously served in managerial
positions with Moo Kim Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Sam Yung
Pulp Co., Ltd.

    M. ARNULPHY, age 68, has been a Trustee since June 1995. Mr. Arnulphy has
been the Managing Director of Electro Orient Ltd., a merchandise trading company
located in Hong Kong, since 1998. From 1975 to 1998, Mr. Arnulphy was the
Managing Director of J. Mortenson & Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong, a water treatment
equipment manufacturing company.

    M. REIDEL, age 39, has been a Trustee since December 1996. Mr. Reidel has
been the Chief Financial Officer of Ision Internet AG since August 1999.
Mr. Reidel was a Managing Director of SPB from 1994 to 1999 and the Chairman of
the Management Board of DPAG from 1995 to 1998. Previously, he was a member of
the Supervisory Board of DPAG from 1992 to 1994, a member of BVS responsible for
portfolios of service industry and wood and paper industry companies from 1992
to 1994, and an accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co. from 1987 to 1992.

    R.I. RIGG, age 59, has been a Trustee since July 1999 and Secretary and
Chief Financial Officer since October 1999. Mr. Rigg has been Chief Financial
Officer and a director of Advanced Projects Ltd. since 1996 and of Terrawest
Industries, Inc. since 1989. He is also a director of Carlin Resources Corp. and
a nominee director and officer of Bank Gospodarki of Poland. Mr. Rigg is a
chartered accountant in Canada.

    A. MILLIGAN, age 77, has been a Trustee since July 2001. Mr. Milligan has
been President and Chief Executive Officer of Stockscape Technologies Inc. since
1999. From 1986 to 1999, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Cornucopia Resources Ltd., which acquired Stockscape Technologies Inc. in 1999
and changed its business accordingly. He is also a director of Skye
Resources Inc., Lysander Minerals Corporation and Great Basin Gold Ltd.
Mr. Milligan is an economist by profession.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    Incorporated by reference from Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be
filed within 120 days of the end of Registrant's fiscal year.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

    Incorporated by reference from Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be
filed within 120 days of the end of Registrant's fiscal year.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

    Incorporated by reference from Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be
filed within 120 days of the end of Registrant's fiscal year.

                                       29
<Page>
                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                        PAGE
                                                                      --------
<C>     <S>                                                           <C>
(a)(1)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        Independent Auditors' Report................................        32
        Consolidated Balance Sheets.................................        33
        Consolidated Statements of Operations.......................        34
        Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.............        35
        Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders'
          Equity....................................................        36
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.......................        37
        Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements..............        38
</Table>

                                       30
<Page>

<Table>
<C>     <C>     <C>    <S>
   (2)                                                          LIST OF EXHIBITS

         3.1    (a) *  Restated Declaration of Trust of the Company as filed with
                         the Secretary of State of Washington on June 11, 1990
                         together with an Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated
                         December 12, 1991.
                (b) *  Amendments to Declaration of Trust dated July 8, 1993;
                         August 17, 1993; and September 9, 1993.
         3.2*          Trustees' Regulations dated September 24, 1973.
         4.1           Shareholder Rights Plan. Incorporated by reference from
                         Form 8-A dated August 17, 1993.
        10.1           Acquisition Agreement among Treuhandanstalt, Dresden Papier
                         AG, Dresden Papier Holding GmbH, Mercer
                         International Inc., and Shin Ho Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.
                         Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K dated
                         September 20, 1993.
        10.2           Acquisition Agreement among Treuhandanstalt, Zellstoff-und
                         Papierfabrik Rosenthal GmbH, Raboisen
                         Einhundertsechsundfunfzigste Vermogensverwaltungs-
                         gesellschaft GmbH, to be renamed ZPR Zellstoff-und
                         Papierfabrik Rosenthal Holding GmbH, Mercer
                         International Inc. and 448380 B.C. Ltd. dated July 3,
                         1994. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K dated
                         July 3, 1994.
        10.3           Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by
                         reference from Form S-8 dated March 2, 2000.
        10.4*          1994 Employee Incentive Bonus Plan.
        10.5*          Form of Separation Agreement between Mercer
                         International Inc. and Arbatax International Inc.
        10.6           English Translation of a Loan Agreement in the amount of
                         DM 508,000,000 between Zellstoff-und Papierfabrik
                         Rosenthal GmbH & Co. KG, Blankenstein on the one hand and
                         Bayerische Hypotheken-und Wechsel-Bank Aktiengesellschaft,
                         Munich and Bayerische Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft,
                         Munich on the other hand dated July 6, 1998. Incorporated
                         by reference from Form 8-K dated July 16, 1998.
        10.7*          Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Mercer
                         International Inc. and Jimmy S.H. Lee dated November 20,
                         2000.
        10.8*          Trustee's Indemnity Agreement between Mercer
                         International Inc. and Jimmy S.H. Lee dated November 20,
                         2000.
        10.9           English Translation of Amendment Agreement No. 4 dated
                         December 13, 2000 between Zellstoff-und Papierfabrik
                         Rosenthal GmbH & Co. KG and Bayerische Hypo-und
                         Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft to the Loan Agreement dated
                         July 6, 1998. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K
                         dated January 23, 2001.
        10.10          Purchase Agreement between Sihl and Mercer
                         International Inc. dated December 14, 2001 relating to
                         the acquisition of Landqart AG.
        21             List of Subsidiaries of Registrant.
        23             Independent Auditors Consent.
</Table>

     -----------------------------

      *  Filed in Form 10-K for prior years.

<Table>
<C>     <S>
   (b)  The Registrant filed the following reports on Form 8-K with
        respect to the indicated items during the fourth quarter of
        the fiscal year:
        None.
</Table>

                                       31
<Page>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Shareholders

Mercer International Inc.

    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mercer
International Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000
and 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.

    We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Mercer
International Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years
ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States.

                                          /s/ PETERSON SULLIVAN P.L.L.C.

Seattle, Washington
March 15, 2002

                                       32
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                           DECEMBER 31, 2001 AND 2000
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $ 10,458   $ 18,496
  Investments...............................................     4,052      5,320
  Receivables...............................................    42,658     46,088
  Inventories...............................................    22,323     19,977
  Prepaid and other.........................................     3,534      3,000
                                                              --------   --------
        Total current assets................................    83,025     92,881

Long-Term Assets
  Cash restricted...........................................    29,739     25,150
  Properties................................................   248,167    265,607
  Investments...............................................     7,658      6,101
  Notes receivable..........................................     4,877      4,296
  Deferred income tax.......................................     9,177      9,624
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               299,618    310,778
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $382,643   $403,659
                                                              ========   ========
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses.....................  $ 46,242   $ 38,204
  Notes payable.............................................     6,584        839
  Debt......................................................    16,353     27,173
                                                              --------   --------
        Total current liabilities...........................    69,179     66,216

Long-Term Liabilities
  Debt......................................................   193,169    208,315
  Other.....................................................     3,065      3,721
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               196,234    212,036
                                                              --------   --------
        Total liabilities...................................   265,413    278,252

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Shareholders' Equity
  Preferred shares, no par value: 50,000,000 authorized and
    issuable in series:
    Series A, 500,000 authorized, none issued and
      outstanding...........................................        --         --
    Series B, 3,500,000 authorized, none issued and
      outstanding...........................................        --         --
  Shares of beneficial interest, $1 par value: unlimited
    authorized and 16,794,899 issued and outstanding at
    December 31, 2001 and 2000..............................    99,995     99,995
  Retained earnings.........................................    86,171     88,698
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss......................   (68,936)   (63,286)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               117,230    125,407
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $382,643   $403,659
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       33
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
                (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues
  Sales of pulp and paper...................................  $183,496   $225,626   $125,570
  Transportation............................................     4,915      3,857         --
  Other.....................................................     8,578      6,719      2,297
                                                              --------   --------   --------
                                                               196,989    236,202    127,867
Expenses
  Cost of pulp and paper....................................   161,659    175,420    117,314
  Transportation............................................     3,648      2,923         --
  Special charges...........................................        --         --     22,155
  General, administrative and other.........................    16,502     14,284     22,420
  Loss on foreign currency derivative contracts.............     2,241         --         --
  Litigation settlement.....................................       918         --         --
  Interest expense..........................................    14,474     13,993      2,995
                                                              --------   --------   --------
                                                               199,442    206,620    164,884
                                                              --------   --------   --------
Income (loss) before income taxes...........................    (2,453)    29,582    (37,017)

Income tax provision........................................       (74)      (108)    (1,092)
                                                              --------   --------   --------
    Net income (loss).......................................  $ (2,527)  $ 29,474   $(38,109)
                                                              ========   ========   ========
Earnings (loss) per share
  Basic.....................................................  $  (0.15)  $   1.76   $  (2.33)
                                                              ========   ========   ========
  Diluted...................................................  $  (0.15)  $   1.72   $  (2.33)
                                                              ========   ========   ========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       34
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Net income (loss)...........................................  $(2,527)   $29,474    $(38,109)
Other comprehensive income
  Foreign currency translation adjustment...................   (7,687)    (6,400)    (21,266)
  Unrealized gains (losses) on securities
    Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the
      period................................................    2,037     (1,729)      1,745
    Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net
      income (loss).........................................       --         85       1,340
                                                              -------    -------    --------
                                                                2,037     (1,644)      3,085
                                                              -------    -------    --------
Other comprehensive loss....................................   (5,650)    (8,044)    (18,181)
                                                              -------    -------    --------
Comprehensive income (loss).................................  $(8,177)   $21,430    $(56,290)
                                                              =======    =======    ========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       35
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                                           ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
                                         SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST                                 INCOME
                                       ----------------------------------              ---------------------------------------
                                                                 AMOUNT                  FOREIGN
                                                                 PAID IN                CURRENCY       UNREALIZED
                                       NUMBER OF                EXCESS OF   RETAINED   TRANSLATION   GAINS (LOSSES)
                                         SHARES     PAR VALUE   PAR VALUE   EARNINGS   ADJUSTMENTS   ON SECURITIES     TOTAL
                                       ----------   ---------   ---------   --------   -----------   --------------   --------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>              <C>
Balance at December 31, 1998.........  15,440,122    $15,440     $76,473    $98,167     $(28,663)       $(8,398)      $(37,061)
Shares issued for exercise of
  warrants...........................   1,245,277      1,245       6,097         --           --             --             --
Repurchase of shares.................     (50,000)       (50)       (167)        --           --             --             --
Payment of dividends.................          --         --          --       (834)          --             --             --
Net loss.............................          --         --          --    (38,109)          --             --             --
Other comprehensive income (loss)....          --         --          --         --      (21,266)         3,085        (18,181)
                                       ----------    -------     -------    -------     --------        -------       --------
Balance at December 31, 1999.........  16,635,399     16,635      82,403     59,224      (49,929)        (5,313)       (55,242)
Shares issued for exercise of
  options............................     159,500        160         797         --           --             --             --
Net income...........................          --         --          --     29,474           --             --             --
Other comprehensive income (loss)....          --         --          --         --       (6,400)        (1,644)        (8,044)
                                       ----------    -------     -------    -------     --------        -------       --------
Balance at December 31, 2000.........  16,794,899     16,795      83,200     88,698      (56,329)        (6,957)       (63,286)
Net loss.............................          --         --          --     (2,527)          --             --             --
Other comprehensive income (loss)....          --         --          --         --       (7,687)         2,037         (5,650)
                                       ----------    -------     -------    -------     --------        -------       --------
Balance at December 31, 2001.........  16,794,899    $16,795     $83,200    $86,171     $(64,016)       $(4,920)      $(68,936)
                                       ==========    =======     =======    =======     ========        =======       ========

<Caption>

                                       SHAREHOLDERS'
                                          EQUITY
                                       -------------
<S>                                    <C>
Balance at December 31, 1998.........    $153,019
Shares issued for exercise of
  warrants...........................       7,342
Repurchase of shares.................        (217)
Payment of dividends.................        (834)
Net loss.............................     (38,109)
Other comprehensive income (loss)....     (18,181)
                                         --------
Balance at December 31, 1999.........     103,020
Shares issued for exercise of
  options............................         957
Net income...........................      29,474
Other comprehensive income (loss)....      (8,044)
                                         --------
Balance at December 31, 2000.........     125,407
Net loss.............................      (2,527)
Other comprehensive income (loss)....      (5,650)
                                         --------
Balance at December 31, 2001.........    $117,230
                                         ========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       36
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  Net income (loss).........................................  $(2,527)   $29,474    $(38,109)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows
    from operating activities
    Special charges.........................................       --         --      22,155
    Depreciation............................................   20,557     22,139       7,018
  Changes in current assets and liabilities
    Investment in trading securities........................      460       (806)      8,478
    Inventories.............................................    2,337     (3,391)       (996)
    Receivables.............................................    6,955     (7,227)    (12,489)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses...................     (841)       267       7,718
    Prepaid and other.......................................     (282)      (504)     (2,411)
                                                              -------    -------    --------
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities...   26,659     39,952      (8,636)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
  Proceeds from the sales of available-for-sale
    securities..............................................       --        189       6,867
  Proceeds from the sales of long-term investments..........      605         --          --
  Purchases of available-for-sale securities................     (569)    (1,918)     (1,264)
  Sale of properties........................................       --     13,346          --
  Acquisition of properties, net of investment grants.......   (6,845)    26,073    (255,186)
  Purchase of subsidiary, net of cash acquired..............   (1,839)        --          --
  Change in notes receivable................................     (605)       585       4,178
                                                              -------    -------    --------
      Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities...   (9,253)    38,275    (245,405)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
  Cash restricted...........................................   (5,921)   (12,285)         --
  Increase (decrease) in pulp mill costs payable............     (902)   (50,286)     47,701
  Increase in notes payable and debt........................    5,821      5,649     162,863
  Decrease in notes payable and debt........................  (25,924)    (5,582)     (2,299)
  Shares of beneficial interest issued for cash.............       --        957          --
  Repurchase shares of beneficial interest..................       --         --        (217)
  Dividends.................................................       --         --        (834)
  Other.....................................................       --         --           3
                                                              -------    -------    --------
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.....  (26,926)   (61,547)    207,217
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
  equivalents...............................................    1,482         94      (4,704)
                                                              -------    -------    --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents........   (8,038)    16,774     (51,528)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year................   18,496      1,722      53,250
                                                              -------    -------    --------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year......................  $10,458    $18,496    $  1,722
                                                              =======    =======    ========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       37
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                 NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.  THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    Mercer International Inc. ("the Company") is a business trust organized
under the laws of the State of Washington, USA. Under Washington law,
shareholders of a business trust have the same limited liability as shareholders
of a corporation. The amounts in the notes are rounded to the nearest thousand
except for the per share amounts.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less and are recorded at cost which approximates
market. The Company maintains cash balances in foreign financial institutions in
excess of insured limits.

INVESTMENTS

    The Company's available-for-sale and trading securities are stated at their
fair values. Any unrealized holding gains or losses of available-for-sale
securities are reported as a separate component of comprehensive income until
realized and, for trading securities, any unrealized gains or losses are
included in the results of operations. If a loss in value in available-for-sale
securities is considered to be other than temporary, it is recognized in the
determination of net income. Cost is based on the specific identification method
to determine realized gains or losses.

    The Company incurs liabilities for security acquisitions where the security
transfer is to occur at a future date. However, the liability amount is subject
to the ultimate market price of the security.

INVENTORIES

    Inventories of pulp are stated at the lower of cost (average-cost method) or
market. Paper products are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out
method) or market.

PROPERTIES

    Depreciable properties are stated at cost unless the estimated future
undiscounted cash flows expected to result from either the use of an asset or
its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount in which case an
impairment loss is recognized based on the fair value of the asset. Grants
received from a government reduce costs of property improvements.

    Depreciation of buildings and production equipment is based on the estimated
useful lives of the assets and is computed using the straight-line method.
Buildings are depreciated over 10 to 50 years and production equipment over 8 to
20 years.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

    The Company translates foreign assets and liabilities of its subsidiaries at
the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are
translated at the average rate of exchange throughout the year. Unrealized gains
or losses from these translations are reported as a separate component of

                                       38
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 1.  THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
comprehensive income. Realized gains or losses are included in general and
administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The
translation adjustments do not recognize the effect of income tax because the
Company expects to reinvest the amounts indefinitely in operations.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

    Liabilities for environmental conservation are recorded when it is probable
that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.
Any potential recoveries of such liabilities are recorded when there is an
agreement with the reimbursing entity.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

    Compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of
the quoted market price of the Company's stock at the date of the grant over the
amount an employee is required to pay for the stock. There was no stock-based
compensation included in these consolidated financial statements.

TAXES ON INCOME

    The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach
that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for
expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the
Company's financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax
consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other
than enactments of changes in the tax laws or rates.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

    The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," effective
January 1, 2001. Derivative instruments are measured at fair value and reported
in the balance sheet as assets or liabilities. Accounting for gains or losses
depends on the Company's intended use of the derivative instruments. Gains or
losses on derivative instruments which are not designated hedges are recognized
in earnings in the period of the change in fair value. Accounting for gains or
losses on derivative instruments designated as hedges depends on the type of
hedge and such gains or losses are recognized in either earnings or other
comprehensive income.

    Retroactive application of this standard was not allowed. There is no
cumulative effect in the Company's financial statements as a result of adopting
this standard. The Company had a derivative instrument at December 31, 2000,
which was entered into at year-end. There was no change in its fair value in
2000.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common
shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the
period. Diluted earnings per share takes into consideration common shares
outstanding (computed under basic earnings per share) and potentially dilutive
common shares.

                                       39
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 1.  THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
ESTIMATES

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets," is to be applied starting with years beginning after
December 15, 2001. This standard addresses how intangible assets, other than
those acquired in a business combination, should be accounted for. Goodwill and
intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives will no longer be amortized
but will be tested annually for impairment. Management has not determined the
effect this standard may have, if any, on the Company's financial statements.

    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations," is effective for years beginning after June 15, 2002.
This standard addresses accounting and reporting for obligations associated with
the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and associated retirement costs.
Management has not determined the effect, if any, this standard may have on the
Company's financial statements.

    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," is effective for years beginning
after December 15, 2001. This standard supersedes the previous standard on this
issue as well as others which dealt with accounting for discontinued operations
and the elimination of an exception to consolidation. Management has not
determined the effect this standard may have on the Company's financial
statements.

NOTE 2.  INVESTMENTS

    Trading securities are classified as current investments and are summarized
as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Bonds.......................................................   $2,158     $4,164
Equity securities...........................................    1,894      1,156
                                                               ------     ------
                                                               $4,052     $5,320
                                                               ======     ======
</Table>

    Included within trading securities is an investment in a bond and common
shares of two companies that represent 53% and 46%, respectively, of the total
value of trading securities at December 31, 2001. At December 31, 2000,
investment in a bond and common shares of a company represented 39% and 18%,
respectively, of the total value of trading securities. The change in net
unrealized holding gains (losses) on trading securities which has been included
in earnings was $1,238, $(171) and $2,411 during 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively.

                                       40
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 2.  INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
    Available-for-sale securities consist of bonds and equity securities and
have been classified as long-term investments. Equity securities of two
companies represented 85% and 91% of the total available-for-sale securities at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The proceeds from sales of these
securities amounted to none, $189 and $6,867 which resulted in realized losses
of none, $(77) and $(1,340) during 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The fair
value of available-for-sale securities included on the balance sheets at
December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, was $7,305, $5,247 and $6,925, respectively.
The cost of these securities was $12,225, $12,204 and $12,238 which resulted in
unrealized losses being recorded in comprehensive income of $(4,920), $(6,957)
and $(5,313) at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Also, included
in long-term investments were equity securities stated at cost of $353 and $854
at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, which did not have a readily
determinable fair value. However, management believes that the estimated market
value is greater than the carrying value.

NOTE 3.  RECEIVABLES

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Sale of paper and pulp products.............................  $21,207    $14,869
Securities trading..........................................   12,592     17,645
Sale of properties..........................................       --      6,147
Value added tax.............................................      956        892
Other.......................................................    7,903      6,535
                                                              -------    -------
                                                              $42,658    $46,088
                                                              =======    =======
</Table>

    At December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company pledged $12,592 and $17,645,
respectively, in securities trading receivables as collateral for amounts
payable for securities.

NOTE 4.  INVENTORIES

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Pulp and paper
  Raw materials.............................................  $13,008    $10,862
  Work in process and finished goods........................    9,315      9,115
                                                              -------    -------
                                                              $22,323    $19,977
                                                              =======    =======
</Table>

NOTE 5.  PROPERTIES

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Land........................................................  $  8,519   $  7,425
Buildings...................................................    17,252     16,346
Production and other equipment..............................   291,428    290,789
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               317,199    314,560
Less: Accumulated depreciation..............................    69,032     48,953
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $248,167   $265,607
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

                                       41
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 5.  PROPERTIES (CONTINUED)
    During 1999, management determined that some of the Company's paper mills
were impaired. These mills were written down to their estimated fair values
based on existing market conditions. This impairment loss, amounting to $19,064,
was reflected as special charges in the Company's consolidated statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 1999. Also, included in special
charges in 1999, was a loss of $3,091 on abandoned pulp mill equipment.

NOTE 6.  NOTES PAYABLE AND DEBT

    At December 31, 2001, the Company had two notes payable to banks. One of the
notes amounting to $5,821 is due on demand at 7% interest. The other note which
had a balance of $763 and $839 at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, is
due monthly at 6.75% interest and is secured by inventory.

    Long-term debt consists of the following:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Note payable to bank, interest at rates varying from 4.5% to
  6.8% at December 31, 2001, principal due in semi-annual
  installments based on a percentage of the final loan
  amount beginning at 2.4% to 5.1% at September 30, 2001,
  after an initial payment of $21,300 on March 31, 2001,
  until September 30, 2013 (final payment date),
  collateralized by receivables, inventory and pulp mill
  assets with 48% and 32% principal plus interest guaranteed
  by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of
  Thuringia, respectively; cash restricted amounted to
  $29,739 and $25,150 at December 31, 2001 and 2000,
  respectively, in connection with this borrowing...........  $193,607   $231,017
Debenture payable, 8% interest payable semi-annually, due
  2003, unsecured, with attached warrants which allows a
  debenture holder to acquire common shares of the Company
  at the higher of $6 per share or the average price of the
  stock for the ten days prior to conversion................     4,135      4,135
Loans payable to a bank, interest at rates varying from
  3.875% to 6.5%, payment terms varying from on demand to
  December 31, 2003, secured by receivables and
  properties................................................    11,492         --
Other.......................................................       288        336
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               209,522    235,488
Less: Current portion.......................................   (16,353)   (27,173)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $193,169   $208,315
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

    On December 29, 2000 and April 1, 2001, the Company entered into foreign
currency forward swap agreements in the notational amount of $124,700 and
$66,797, respectively, with respect to the long-term note payable to bank. These
agreements are with the same bank which holds the note payable. These contracts
were entered into by the Company for its own account consistent with its policy
to manage foreign currency exchange risks. These agreements cover the period
December 29, 2000, to September 30, 2008, and April 1, 2001 to September 30,
2013, respectively. While the Company may be exposed to credit risk with respect
to these agreements, it does not anticipate nonperformance by the bank. The
Company

                                       42
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 6.  NOTES PAYABLE AND DEBT (CONTINUED)
recorded a gain from a change in the fair value of these contracts of $412
during the year ended December 31, 2001. Additionally, during 2001, the Company
entered into two foreign currency forward agreements in the notational value of
$10,000 each. The contracts were entered into by the Company for its own account
and are consistent with its policy to manage foreign currency exchange risks.
These agreements mature on April 22, 2002 and May 5, 2002. The Company recorded
a loss from a change in the fair value of these contracts of $352 during the
year ended December 31, 2001. During the first quarter of 2001, the Company
entered into a U.S. dollar/euro foreign currency forward contract with a
notational amount of approximately $31,000 which was settled in March of 2001.
This contract resulted in a loss of $2,301.

    As of December 31, 2001, the principal maturities of long-term debt are as
follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
MATURES                                                        AMOUNT
-------                                                       --------
<S>                                                           <C>
2002........................................................  $ 16,353
2003........................................................    22,461
2004........................................................    12,687
2005........................................................    13,513
2006........................................................    14,441
Thereafter..................................................   130,067
                                                              --------
                                                              $209,522
                                                              ========
</Table>

    Interest paid amounted to $14,191 in 2001, $11,465 in 2000 and $12,100
($9,904 capitalized) in 1999.

NOTE 7.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Trade payables..............................................  $18,875    $14,926
Accounts payable and accrued expenses.......................   17,640     16,357
Payable for securities......................................    7,946      6,921
Other.......................................................    1,781         --
                                                              -------    -------
                                                              $46,242    $38,204
                                                              =======    =======
</Table>

NOTE 8.  INCOME TAXES

    The provision for income taxes is current and consists of the following:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Provision for income taxes, non U.S.........................    $(74)     $(108)    $(1,092)
                                                                ====      =====     =======
</Table>

                                       43
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 8.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Differences between the U.S. Federal Statutory and the Company's effective
rates are as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
U.S. Federal statutory rates on income from operations
  benefit (provision).......................................   $  834    $(10,058)  $12,585
Tax differential on foreign income (loss)...................    3,152        (800)    8,182
Valuation allowance.........................................   (5,494)     10,750   (20,748)
Other.......................................................    1,434          --    (1,111)
                                                               ------    --------   -------
                                                               $  (74)   $   (108)  $(1,092)
                                                               ======    ========   =======
</Table>

    Deferred tax assets are composed of the following:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
German tax loss carryforwards...............................  $64,140    $63,853
U.S. tax loss carryforwards.................................    6,075      4,272
Swiss tax loss carryforwards................................    3,084         --
Other.......................................................      617        744
                                                              -------    -------
                                                               73,916     68,869
Valuation allowance.........................................  (64,739)   (59,245)
                                                              -------    -------
  Net deferred tax asset....................................  $ 9,177    $ 9,624
                                                              =======    =======
</Table>

    Because of potential restrictions on the use of German preacquisition tax
loss carryforwards by successor entities, the Company provided a valuation
reserve for much of these losses. German tax losses of approximately $175,000 at
December 31, 2001, may be carried forward indefinitely. However, the Company is
the subject of income tax audits on a continuing basis in Germany which may
result in a change in the German tax loss amount. Management believes that,
while realization of the net deferred tax asset on the German tax losses is not
assured, it is more likely than not that it will be realized.

    The Company's U.S. net operating losses amount to approximately $17,800 at
December 31, 2001. Losses of $4,600, $1,900, $1,200, $3,700, $2,800 and $3,600
will expire in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2012 and 2011, respectively, if not used.
Management believes that these tax loss carryforwards are likely not to be
utilized under current circumstances and has fully reserved any resulting
potential tax benefit.

    The Company's Swiss net operating losses amounted to approximately $9,000 at
December 31, 2001. Losses of $3,200 and $5,800 will expire in 2004 and 2007,
respectively, if not used. Management believes that these tax loss carryforwards
are likely not to be utilized under current circumstances and has fully reserved
any resulting potential tax benefit.

    Income (loss) from foreign source operations amounted to $2,118, $30,152 and
$(34,903) for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
These amounts are intended to be indefinitely reinvested in operations. Since
available-for-sale securities are primarily securities held by foreign

                                       44
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 8.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
subsidiaries and the proceeds are expected to be reinvested, no tax has been
provided in the determination of other comprehensive income for the years ended
December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999.

NOTE 9.  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    In a prior year, the Company issued one attached preferred share purchase
right for each outstanding share of beneficial interest. A total of 11,958,993
rights were issued which allow the holder to acquire from the Company one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a
price of $75 per one one-hundredth of a preferred share. The rights will expire
on December 31, 2003. The Company has the right to repurchase the rights for
$.01 each.

    The Company has reserved 110,000 Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Shares in connection with the rights. The preferred shares are entitled to
quarterly dividends of $10 per share and have 100 votes per share. However, the
preferred shares will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times any
dividends declared on shares of beneficial interest and an aggregate of
100 times any payment to shares of beneficial interest on merger or liquidation.

    Also, during a prior year the Company authorized the issuance of
3.5 million shares of Cumulative Retractable Convertible Preferred Shares,
Series B at a price of $20 per share. These shares have a cumulative dividend
rate of up to 4%, a liquidation preference of $20 per share plus unpaid
dividends, a redemption right beginning January 1, 2004, at $20 per share plus
unpaid dividends, and may convert up to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares
into shares of beneficial interest based on dividing the issue price plus unpaid
dividends by $20 per share.

NOTE 10.  ACQUISITION

    On December 14, 2001, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common
shares of Landqart AG ("Landqart"), a Swiss company, for $2,650 cash. The
effective date of this acquisition is December 31, 2001. The results of
Landqart's operations will be included in the Company's consolidated financial
statements beginning January 1, 2002. Landqart is a manufacturer of specialty
paper which is expected to become an integral part of the Company's paper
segment.

    The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

<Table>
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets..............................................  $11,542
Properties..................................................    9,912
                                                              -------
  Total assets acquired.....................................   21,454
Current liabilities.........................................   12,237
Long-term liabilities.......................................    6,567
                                                              -------
  Total liabilities assumed.................................   18,804
                                                              -------
  Net assets acquired.......................................  $ 2,650
                                                              =======
</Table>

    The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of
operations of the Company as if this acquisition had taken place on January 1,
2001 and 2000, respectively. The pro forma information is not necessarily
indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisition taken
place at the

                                       45
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 10.  ACQUISITION (CONTINUED)
beginning of the periods presented. Further, the pro forma information is not
necessarily indicative of future results.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED
                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Revenues....................................................  $232,851   $270,659
Net income (loss)...........................................  $ (3,251)  $ 29,473
Earnings per share
  Basic.....................................................  $  (0.19)  $   1.76
  Diluted...................................................  $  (0.19)  $   1.72
</Table>

    The purchase agreement provides for an additional payment of up to $1,958
based on profitability criteria being met during the period January 1 through
September 30, 2003. The purchase price may be further increased if certain
parcels of real estate are sold prior to January 1, 2004. This increase will
amount to 30% of the difference between the carrying value of the parcel at
December 31, 2000, and its net sales price. If any of these contingent payments
which are to be paid in cash, become due, they will be treated as an additional
cost of acquisition.

NOTE 11.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

    The Company has a non-qualified stock option plan which provides for options
to be granted to officers and employees to acquire a maximum of 3,600,000 shares
of beneficial interest including options for 130,000 shares to trustees who are
not officers or employees.

    During 2000, options to acquire 1,600,000 shares of beneficial interest at
$6.375 per share were granted to officers and employees of the Company which
vest one-third at grant date and one-third each for the next two years. These
options expire in ten years. The weighted fair value of these options was $3.60
each.

    Following is a summary of the status of the plan during 2001, 2000 and 1999:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                          WEIGHTED
                                                                          AVERAGE
                                                              NUMBER OF   EXERCISE
                                                               SHARES      PRICE
                                                              ---------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1999 and 1998...................    765,500    $10.03
Granted.....................................................  1,600,000     6.375
Exercised...................................................   (159,500)     6.00
                                                              ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 2001 and 2000...................  2,206,000    $ 7.67
                                                              =========    ======
</Table>

                                       46
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 11.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
    Following is a summary of the status of options outstanding at December 31,
2001:

<Table>
<Caption>
OUTSTANDING OPTIONS                                          EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
----------------------------------------------------------   --------------------
                                     WEIGHTED
                                      AVERAGE     WEIGHTED               WEIGHTED
                                     REMAINING    AVERAGE                AVERAGE
                                    CONTRACTUAL   EXERCISE               EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICE RANGE     NUMBER        LIFE        PRICE      NUMBER      PRICE
--------------------    ---------   -----------   --------   ---------   --------
<S>                     <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>
6.00$- 6.375..          1,770,000       8.0        $ 6.34    1,236,666    $ 6.33
8.50 - 11.66..            231,500       5.1          9.19      231,500      9.19
16.89 - 18.47..           204,500       3.9         17.50      204,500     17.50
</Table>

COMPENSATION

    Proforma information with respect to fair value accounting for the Company's
stock option plan is as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Income (Loss)
  As reported...............................................  $(2,527)   $29,474    $(38,109)
  Proforma..................................................  $(5,403)   $26,598    $(38,421)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share
  As reported...............................................  $  (.15)   $  1.76    $  (2.33)
  Proforma..................................................  $  (.32)   $  1.59    $  (2.34)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
  As reported...............................................  $  (.15)   $  1.72    $  (2.33)
  Proforma..................................................  $  (.32)   $  1.55    $  (2.34)
</Table>

    The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the grant date using
the Black Scholes Model. The assumptions used in calculating fair value are as
follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Risk-free interest rate.....................................     4.5%       8.5%       6.0%
Expected life of the options................................  2 years    2 years    2 years
Expected volatility.........................................    68.9%      78.4%      60.0%
Expected dividend yield.....................................     0.0%       0.0%       0.0%
</Table>

                                       47
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 12.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Earnings per share data for years ended December 31 is summarized as
follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                    NET INCOME (LOSS)
                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Net income (loss) available to shareholders of beneficial
  interest..................................................  $(2,527)   $29,474    $(38,109)
                                                              =======    =======    ========
</Table>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                        SHARES
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                           2001          2000          1999
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding -- basic................................   16,874,899    16,778,962    16,389,944
Effect of dilutive securities:
  Options.............................................           --       365,528            --
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------
Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding -- diluted..............................   16,874,899    17,144,490    16,389,944
                                                        ===========   ===========   ===========
</Table>

    For 2001 and 1999, warrants and options were not included in the computation
of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

NOTE 13.  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES WITH RESPECT TO STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

    There were no significant noncash transactions in 2001 and 2000.

    Significant noncash transactions in 1999 include:

    - The Company issued shares of beneficial interest amounting to $7,342 upon
      the conversion of outstanding debentures.

    - The Company surrendered preferred shares in an entity valued at $2,621 in
      a settlement.

NOTE 14.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

    The Company operates in two reportable business segments: pulp and paper.
The segments are managed separately because each business requires different
production and marketing strategies.

    The pulp segment consists of a single mill located in Germany which
currently produces and markets kraft pulp. The paper segment consists of two
mills located in Germany and one located in Switzerland.

    Both segments operate in industries which are cyclical in nature and their
markets are affected by fluctuations in supply and demand in each cycle. These
fluctuations have significant effect on the cost of materials and the eventual
sales prices of products.

                                       48
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 14.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
    Summarized financial information concerning the segments is shown in the
following table:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              PULP        PAPER      TOTAL
                                                              ----       --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
2001
Sales to external customers.................................  $130,903   $52,593    $183,496
Intersegment net sales......................................     5,187        --       5,187
Segment income (loss).......................................     4,069    (2,891)      1,178
Segment assets..............................................   333,381    47,384     380,765
Capital expenditures........................................     6,638     2,400       9,038

RECONCILIATIONS
Loss:
  Total income for reportable segments......................                        $  1,178
  Elimination of intersegment profits.......................                           2,274
  Unallocated amounts, other corporate expenses.............                          (5,905)
                                                                                    --------
    Consolidated loss before income taxes...................                        $ (2,453)
                                                                                    ========
Assets:
  Total assets for reportable segments......................                        $380,765
  Intersegment receivable...................................                          (6,560)
  Other unallocated amounts.................................                           8,438
                                                                                    --------
    Consolidated total assets...............................                        $382,643
                                                                                    ========
</Table>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                PULP      PAPER      TOTAL
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
2000
Sales to external customers.................................  $147,048   $78,578    $225,626
Intersegment net sales......................................     1,269        --       1,269
Segment income (loss).......................................    31,929      (278)     31,651
Segment assets..............................................   378,362    43,290     421,652
Capital expenditures........................................    21,881     3,003      24,884

RECONCILIATIONS
Income:
  Total income for reportable segments......................                        $ 31,651
  Elimination of intersegment profits.......................                           1,377
  Unallocated amounts, other corporate expenses.............                          (3,446)
                                                                                    --------
    Consolidated income before income taxes.................                        $ 29,582
                                                                                    ========
Assets:
  Total assets for reportable segments......................                        $421,652
  Intersegment receivable...................................                         (22,661)
  Other unallocated amounts.................................                           4,668
                                                                                    --------
    Consolidated total assets...............................                        $403,659
                                                                                    ========
</Table>

                                       49
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 14.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                PULP      PAPER      TOTAL
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
1999
Sales to external customers.................................  $ 40,080   $85,490    $125,570
Intersegment net sales......................................        86        --          86
Segment loss................................................    (4,200)  (25,885)    (30,085)
Segment assets..............................................   411,541    40,592     452,133
Capital expenditures........................................   282,920     6,190     289,110

RECONCILIATIONS
Loss:
  Total loss for reportable segments........................                        $(30,085)
  Elimination of intersegment profits.......................                           2,704
  Unallocated amounts, other corporate expenses.............                          (9,636)
                                                                                    --------
    Consolidated loss before income taxes...................                        $(37,017)
                                                                                    ========
Assets:
  Total assets for reportable segments......................                        $452,133
  Intersegment receivable...................................                            (357)
  Other unallocated amounts                                                            4,069
                                                                                    --------
    Consolidated total assets                                                       $455,845
                                                                                    ========
</Table>

    The following table presents net sales to external customers by geographic
area based on location of the customer.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Germany.....................................................  $ 84,574   $ 95,376   $ 72,129
Other European Union........................................    64,406     76,827     47,498
Eastern European and other..................................    34,516     53,423      5,943
                                                              --------   --------   --------
                                                              $183,496   $225,626   $125,570
                                                              ========   ========   ========
</Table>

    The following table presents total assets by geographic area based on
location of the asset.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2001       2000       1999
                                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Germany.....................................................  $352,538   $398,991   $451,776
Other.......................................................    30,105      4,668      4,069
                                                              --------   --------   --------
                                                              $382,643   $403,659   $455,845
                                                              ========   ========   ========
</Table>

    The pulp mill has fiber supply contracts with two companies which expire in
2002 and 2003 at prices agreed to periodically. The Company also has labor
agreements which expire in 2002. In 2001, pulp sales to two customers amounted
to 22% of total pulp sales, and pulp sales to one customer amounted to 27%
in 2000.

                                       50
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

           NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

NOTE 15.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    The fair value of other financial instruments at December 31 is summarized
as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              2001                    2000
                                                      ---------------------   ---------------------
                                                      CARRYING                CARRYING
                                                       AMOUNT    FAIR VALUE    AMOUNT    FAIR VALUE
                                                      --------   ----------   --------   ----------
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Cash and cash equivalents...........................  $ 10,458    $ 10,458    $ 18,496    $ 18,496
Cash restricted.....................................    29,739      29,739      25,150      25,150
Notes receivable....................................     4,877       4,877       4,296       4,296
Notes payable.......................................     6,584       6,584         839         839
Long-term debt......................................   209,522     209,522     235,488     235,488
</Table>

    The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is based on reported market
value. The fair value of cash restricted was equal to its carrying amount
because it is in an account which bears a market rate of interest. The value of
notes receivable is based on the value of similar long-term receivables. The
fair value of notes payable was based on the value of similar debt incurred in
the pulp industry. The fair value of long-term debt was determined using
discounted cash flows at prevailing market rates. The other long-term
liabilities which have a carrying value of $3,065 and $3,721 at December 31,
2001 and 2000, respectively, are primarily an accrued environmental liability at
the pulp mill. This liability may be partially reimbursable. Further, the
Company cannot estimate at this time when these amounts will be paid. Therefore,
the fair value of other long-term liabilities cannot be determined.

NOTE 16.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    At December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company recorded a liability for
environmental conservation expenditures of $1,822 and $1,921, respectively.
Management believes the liability amount recorded is sufficient, however, future
regulations in Germany may result in additional liability.

    The Company is required to pay certain charges based on water pollution
levels at its mills. Unpaid charges can be reduced by investing in qualifying
equipment that results in less water pollution. The Company believes that
equipment investments already made will offset most of these charges, but it has
not received final determination from the appropriate authorities. Accordingly,
a liability for these water charges has only been recognized to the extent that
equipment investments have not been made.

    The Company is involved in various matters of litigation arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the estimated outcome
of such issues will not have a material effect on the Company's financial
statements.

                                       51
<Page>
                           MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

                            QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
                     (THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                       QUARTER ENDED
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------
                                                    MARCH 31    JUNE 30    SEPTEMBER 30    DECEMBER 31
                                                    ---------   --------   -------------   ------------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>
2001
Net Sales.........................................   $55,996    $52,310       $47,276         $41,407
Gross profit......................................    14,019      9,046         7,402           1,215
Income (loss) before extraordinary items and
  cumulative effect of a change in accounting.....     4,575        (71)          169          (7,200)
Income (loss) before extraordinary items and
  cumulative effect of a change in accounting, per
  share*..........................................      0.27      (0.00)         0.01           (0.43)
Net income (loss).................................     4,575        (71)          169          (7,200)

2000
Net Sales.........................................   $55,760    $63,715       $61,694         $55,033
Gross profit......................................     6,868     15,531        15,899          19,561
Income before extraordinary items and cumulative
  effect of a change in accounting................     1,071      8,976         9,094          10,333
Income before extraordinary items and cumulative
  effect of a change in accounting, per share*....      0.06       0.52          0.52            0.61
Net income........................................     1,071      8,976         9,094          10,333
</Table>

------------------------

*   on a diluted basis

                                       52
<Page>
                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

<Table>
<S>                                                    <C>  <C>
                                                       MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                                       By:              /s/ JIMMY S.H. LEE
                                                            -----------------------------------------
                                                                          Jimmy S.H. Lee
Dated: March 29, 2002                                                        CHAIRMAN
</Table>

    Pursuant to the requirements of the SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<Table>
<S>                                                    <C>
                 /s/ JIMMY S.H. LEE
     -------------------------------------------
                   Jimmy S.H. Lee                                   Date: March 29, 2002
    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee

                 /s/ MICHEL ARNULPHY
     -------------------------------------------
                   Michel Arnulphy                                  Date: March 29, 2002
                       Trustee

                    /s/ C.S. MOON
     -------------------------------------------
                      C.S. Moon                                     Date: March 29, 2002
                       Trustee

                 /s/ MAARTEN REIDEL
     -------------------------------------------
                   Maarten Reidel                                   Date: March 29, 2002
                       Trustee

                   /s/ R. IAN RIGG
     -------------------------------------------
                     R. Ian Rigg                                    Date: March 29, 2002
         Chief Financial Officer and Trustee

              /s/ ANDREW F.B. MILLIGAN
     -------------------------------------------
                Andrew F.B. Milligan                                Date: March 29, 2002
                       Trustee
</Table>

                                       53
<Page>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<Table>
<Caption>
EXHIBIT NO.                                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-----------                      ------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                   <C>        <S>
          3.1           (a)*     Restated Declaration of Trust of the Company as filed with
                                   the Secretary of State of Washington on June 11, 1990
                                   together with an Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated
                                   December 12, 1991.

                        (b)*     Amendments to Declaration of Trust dated July 8, 1993;
                                   August 17, 1993; and September 9, 1993.

          3.2*                   Trustees' Regulations dated September 24, 1973.

          4.1                    Shareholder Rights Plan. Incorporated by reference from
                                   Form 8-A dated August 17, 1993.

         10.1                    Acquisition Agreement among Treuhandanstalt, Dresden Papier
                                   AG, Dresden Papier Holding GmbH, Mercer
                                   International Inc., and Shin Ho Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.
                                   Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K dated
                                   September 20, 1993.

         10.2                    Acquisition Agreement among Treuhandanstalt, Zellstoff-und
                                   Papierfabrik Rosenthal GmbH, Raboisen
                                   Einhundertsechsundfunfzigste Vermogensverwaltungs-
                                   gesellschaft GmbH, to be renamed ZPR Zellstoff-und
                                   Papierfabrik Rosenthal Holding GmbH, Mercer
                                   International Inc. and 448380 B.C. Ltd. dated July 3,
                                   1994. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K dated
                                   July 3, 1994.

         10.3                    Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by
                                   reference from Form S-8 dated March 2, 2000.

         10.4*                   1994 Employee Incentive Bonus Plan.

         10.5*                   Form of Separation Agreement between Mercer
                                   International Inc. and Arbatax International Inc.

         10.6                    English Translation of a Loan Agreement in the amount of
                                   DM 508,000,000 between Zellstoff-und Papierfabrik
                                   Rosenthal GmbH & Co. KG, Blankenstein on the one hand and
                                   Bayerische Hypotheken-und Wechsel-Bank Aktiengesellschaft,
                                   Munich and Bayerische Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft,
                                   Munich on the other hand dated July 6, 1998. Incorporated
                                   by reference from Form 8-K dated July 16, 1998.

         10.7*                   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Mercer
                                   International Inc. and Jimmy S.H. Lee dated November 20,
                                   2000.

         10.8*                   Trustee's Indemnity Agreement between Mercer
                                   International Inc. and Jimmy S.H. Lee dated November 20,
                                   2000.

         10.9                    English Translation of Amendment Agreement No. 4 dated
                                   December 13, 2000 between Zellstoff-und PapierfabriK
                                   Rosenthal GmbH & Co. KG and Bayeriche Hypo-und Vereinsbank
                                   Aktiengesellschaft to the Loan Agreement dated July 6,
                                   1998. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K dated
                                   January 23, 2001.

        10.10                    Purchase Agreement between Sihl and Mercer
                                   International Inc. dated December 14, 2001 relating to the
                                   acquisition of Landqart AG.

           21                    List of Subsidiaries of Registrant.

           23                    Independent Auditors Consent.
</Table>

------------------------

*   Filed in Form 10-K for prior years.