MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT

dated as of November 17, 2003 (“Agreement”)

        THIS AGREEMENT is between General Electric Capital Corporation (together with its successors and assigns, if any, “Lessor”) and Badger Paper Mills, Inc. (“Lessee”). Lessor has an office at 1415 West 22nd Street Suite 600, Oak Brook, IL  60523. Lessee is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of Wisconsin. Lessee’s mailing address and chief place of business is 200 West Front Street, Peshtigo, WI  54157. This Agreement contains the general terms that apply to the leasing of Equipment from Lessor to Lessee. Additional terms that apply to the Equipment (term, rest, options, etc.) shall be contained on a schedule (“Schedule”).

1.     LEASING:

        (a)    Lessor agrees to lease to Lessee, and Lessee agrees to lease from Lessor, the equipment and the property (“Equipment”) described in any Schedule signed by both parties.

        (b)    Lessor shall purchase Equipment from the manufacturer or supplier (“Supplier”) and lease it to Lessee if on or before the Last Delivery Date Lessor receives (i) a Schedule for the Equipment, (ii) evidence of insurance which complies with the requirements of Section 9, and (iii) such other documents as Lessor may reasonably request. Each of the documents required above must be in form and substance satisfactory to Lessor. Lessor hereby appoints Lessee its agent for inspection and acceptance of the Equipment from the Supplier. Once the Schedule is signed, the Lessee may not cancel the Schedule.

2.     TERM, RENT AND PAYMENT:

        (a)    The rent payable for the Equipment and Lessee’s right to use the Equipment shall begin on the earlier of (i) the date when the Lessee signs the Schedule and accepts the Equipment or (ii) when Lessee has accepted the Equipment under a Certificate of Acceptance (“Lease Commencement Date”). The term of this Agreement shall be the period specified in the applicable Schedule. The word “term” shall include all basic and any renewal terms.

        (b)     Lessee shall pay rent to Lessor at its address stated above, except as otherwise directed by Lessor. Rent payments shall be in the amount set forth in, and due as stated in the applicable Schedule. If any Advance Rent (as stated in the Schedule) is payable, it shall be due when the Lessee signs the Schedule. Advance Rent shall be applied to the first rent payment and the balance, if any, to the final rent payment(s) under such Schedule. In no event shall any Advance Rent or any other rent payments be refunded to Lessee. If rent is not paid within ten (10) days of its due date, Lessee agrees to pay a late charge of five cents ($.05) per dollar on, and in addition to, the amount of such rent due not exceeding the lawful maximum, if any.

3.     RENT ADJUSTMENT:

        (a)    If, solely as a result of Congressional enactment of any law (including, without limitation, any modification of, or amendment or addition to, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (“Code”)), the maximum effective corporate income tax rate (exclusive of any minimum tax rate) for calendar-year taxpayers (“Effective Rate”) is higher than thirty-five percent (35%) for any year during the lease term, then Lessor shall have the right to increase such rent payments by requiring payment of a single additional sum. The additional sum shall be equal to the product of (i) the Effective Rate (expressed as a decimal) for such year less .35 (or, in the event that any adjustment has been made hereunder for any previous year, the Effective Rate (expressed as a decimal) used in calculating the next previous adjustment) times (ii) the adjusted Termination Value (defined below), divided by (iii) the difference between the new Effective Rate (expressed as a decimal) and one (1). The adjusted Termination Value shall be the Termination Value (calculated as of the first rent due in the year for which the adjustment is being made) minus the Tax Benefits that would be allowable under Section 168 of the Code (as of the first day of the year for which such adjustment is being made and all future years of the lease term). The Termination Values and Tax Benefits are defined on the Schedule. Lessee shall pay to Lessor the full amount of the additional rent payment on the later of (i) receipt of notice or (ii) the first day of the year for which such adjustment is being made.

        (b)     If, solely as a result of Congressional enactment of any law (including, without limitation, any modification of, or amendment or addition to, the Code, the Effective Rate is lower than thirty-five percent (35%) for any year during the lease term, then Lessor shall upon request reduce such rent payments by a single sum. The reduction shall be equal to the product of (i) the Effective Rate (expressed as a decimal) for such year less .35 (or, in the event that any adjustment has been made hereunder for any previous year, the Effective Rate (expressed as a decimal) used in calculating the next previous adjustments) times (ii) the adjusted Termination Value (defined below), divided by (iii) the difference between the new Effective Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal) and one (1). The adjusted Termination Value shall be the Termination Value (calculated as of the first rent due in the year for which the adjustment is being made) minus the Tax Benefits that would be allowable under Section 168 of the Code (as of the first day of the year for which such adjustment is being made and all future years of the lease term). The Termination Values and Tax Benefits are defined on the Schedule. Lessor shall pay to Lessee the full amount of the rent reduction on the later of (i) receipt of notice or (ii) the first day of the year for which such adjustment is being made.

        (c)     Lessee’s obligations under this Section 3 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.

4.     TAXES:

        (a)    If permitted by law, Lessee shall report and pay promptly all taxes, fees and assessments due, imposed, assessed or levied against any Equipment (or purchase, ownership, delivery, leasing, possession, use or operation thereof), this Agreement (or any rents or receipts hereunder), any Schedule, Lessor or Lessee by any governmental entity or taxing authority during or related to the term of this Agreement, including, without limitation, all license and registration fees, and all sales, use, personal property, excise, gross receipts, franchise, stamp or other taxes, imposts, duties and charges, together with any penalties, fines or interest thereon (collectively “Taxes”). Lessee shall have no liability for Taxes imposed by the United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof which are on or measured by the net income of Lessor except as provided in Sections 3 and 14(c). Lessee shall promptly reimburse Lessor (on an after tax basis) for any Taxes charged to or assessed against Lessor, Lessee shall show Lessor as the owner of the Equipment on all tax reports or returns, and send Lessor a copy of each report or return and evidence of Lessee’s payment of Taxes upon request.

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        (b)     Lessee’s obligations, and Lessor’s rights and privileges, contained in this Section 4 shall survive the expiration or other termination of this Agreement

5.     REPORTS:

        (a)     If any tax or other lien shall attach to any Equipment, Lessee will notify Lessor in writing, within ten (10) days after Lessee becomes aware of the tax or lien. The notice shall include the full particulars of the tax or lien and the location of such Equipment on the date of the notice.

        (b)     Lessee will deliver to Lessor, Lessee’s complete financial statements, certified by a recognized firm of certified public accountants within ninety (90) days of the close of each fiscal year of Lessee. Lessee will deliver to Lessor copies of Lessee’s quarterly financial report certified by the chief financial officer of Lessee, within ninety (90) days of the close of each fiscal quarter of Lessee. Lessee will deliver to Lessor all Forms 10-K and 10-Q, if any, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within thirty (30) days after the date on which they are filed.

        (c)     Lessor may inspect any Equipment during normal business hours after giving Lessee reasonable prior notice.

        (d)     Lessee will keep the Equipment at the Equipment Location (specified in the applicable Schedule) and will give Lessor prior written notice of any relocation of Equipment. If Lessor asks, Lessee will promptly notify Lessor in writing of the location of any Equipment.

        (e)     If any Equipment is lost or damaged (where the estimated repair costs would exceed the greater of ten percent (10%) of the original Equipment cost or ten thousand and 00/100 dollars ($10,000)), or is otherwise involved in an accident causing personal injury or property damage, Lessee will promptly and fully report the event to Lessor in writing.

        (f)     Lessee will furnish a certificate of an authorized officer of Lessee stating that he has reviewed the activities of Lessee and that, to the best of his knowledge, there exists no default or event which with notice or lapse of time (or both) would become such a default within thirty (30) days after any request by Lessor.

        (g)     Lessee will promptly notify Lessor of any change in Lessee’s state of incorporation or organization.

6.     DELIVERY, USE AND OPERATION:

        (a)     All Equipment shall be shipped directly from the Supplier to Lessee.

        (b)     Lessee agrees that the Equipment will be used by Lessee solely in the conduct of its business and in a manner complying with all applicable laws, regulation and insurance policies and Lessee shall not discontinue use of the Equipment.

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        (c)     Lessee will not move any equipment from the location specified on the Schedule, without the prior written consent or Lessor.

        (d)     Lessee will keep the Equipment free and clear of all liens and encumbrances other than those which result from acts of Lessor.

        (e)     Lessor shall not disturb Lessee’s quiet enjoyment of the Equipment during the term of the Agreement unless a default has occurred and is continuing under this Agreement.

7.     MAINTENANCE:

        (a)     Lessee will, at its sole expense, maintain each unit of Equipment in good operating order and repair, normal wear and tear excepted. The Lessee shall also maintain the Equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Lessee shall make all alterations or modifications required to comply with any applicable law, rule or regulation during the term of this Agreement. If Lessor requests, Lessee shall affix plates, tags or other identifying labels showing ownership thereof by Lessor. The tags or labels shall be placed in a prominent position on each unit of Equipment.

        (b)    Lessee will not attach or install anything on any Equipment that will impair the originally intended function or use of such Equipment without the prior written consent of Lessor. All additions, parts, supplies, accessories, and equipment (“Additions”) furnished or attached to any Equipment that are not readily removable shall become the property of Lessor. All Additions shall be made only in compliance with applicable law. Lessee will not attach or install any Equipment to or in any other personal or real property without the prior written consent of Lessor.

8.     STIPULATED LOSS VALUE: If for any reason any unit of Equipment becomes worn out, lost, stolen, destroyed, irreparably damaged or unusable (“Casualty Occurrences”) Lessee shall promptly and fully notify Lessor in writing. Lessee shall pay Lessor the sum of (i) the Stipulated Loss Value (see Schedule) of the affected unit determined as of the rent payment date prior to the Casualty Occurrence; and (ii) all rent and other amounts which are then due under this Agreement on the Payment Date (defined below) for the affected unit. The Payment Date shall be the next rent payment date after the Casualty Occurrence. Upon Payment of all sums due hereunder, the term of this lease as to such unit shall terminate.

9.     INSURANCE:

        (a)     Lessee shall bear the entire risk of any loss, theft, damage to, or destruction of, any unit of Equipment from any cause whatsoever from the time the Equipment is shipped to Lessee.

        (b)     Lessee agrees, at its own expense, to keep all Equipment insured for such amounts and against such hazards as Lesser may reasonably require. All such policies shall be with companies, and on terms, reasonably satisfactory to Lessor. The insurance shall include coverage for damage to or loss of the Equipment, liability for personal injuries, deaths or property damage. Lessor shall be named as additional insured with a loss payable clause in favor of Lessor, as its interest may appear, irrespective of any breach of warranty or other act or omission of Lessee. The insurance shall provide for liability coverage in an amount equal to at least ONE MILLION U.S. DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) total liability per occurrence, unless otherwise stated in any Schedule. The casualty/property damage coverage shall be in an amount equal to the higher of the Stipulated Loss Value or the full replacement cost of the Equipment. No insurance shall be subject to any co-insurance clause. The insurance policies shall provide that the insurance may not be altered or canceled by the insurer until after thirty (30) days written notice to Lessor. Lessee agrees to deliver to Lessor evidence of insurance reasonably satisfactory to Lessor.

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        (c)     Lessee hereby appoints Lessor as Lessee’s attorney-in-fact to make proof of loss and claim for insurance, and to make adjustments with insurers and to receive payment of and execute or endorse all documents, checks or drafts in connection with insurance payments. Lessor shall not act as Lessee’s attorney-in-fact unless Lessee is in default. Lessee shall pay any reasonable expenses of Lessor in adjusting or collecting insurance. Lessee will not make adjustments with insurers except with respect to claims for damage to any unit of Equipment where the repair costs are less than the lesser of ten percent (10%) of the original Equipment cost or ten thousand and 00/100 dollars ($10,000). Lessor may, at its option, apply proceeds of insurance, in whole or in part, to (i) repair or replace Equipment or any portion thereof, or (ii) satisfy any obligation of Lessee to Lessor under this Agreement.

10.     RETURN OF EQUIPMENT:

        (a)     At the expiration or termination of this Agreement or any Schedule, Lessee shall perform any testing and repairs required to place the units of Equipment in the stress condition and appearance as when received by Lessee (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and in good working order for the original intended purpose of the Equipment. If required the units of Equipment shall be deinstalled, disassembled and crated by an authorized manufacturer’s representative or such other service person as is reasonably satisfactory to Lessor. Lessee shall remove installed markings that are not necessary for the operation, maintenance or repair of the Equipment. All Equipment will be cleaned, cosmetically acceptable, and in such condition as to be immediately installed into use in a similar environment for which the Equipment was originally intended to be used. All waste material and fluid must be removed from the Equipment and disposed of in accordance with then current waste disposal laws. Lessee shall return the units of Equipment to a location within the continental United States as Lessor shall direct. Lessee shall obtain and pay for a policy of transit insurance for the redelivery period in an amount equal to the replacement value of the Equipment. The transit insurance must name Lessor as the loss payee. The Lessee shall pay for all costs to comply with this section (a).

        (b)     Until Lessee has fully complied with the requirements of Section 10(a) above, Lessee’s rent payment obligation and all other obligations under this Agreement shall continue from month to month notwithstanding any expiration or termination of the lease term. Lessor may terminate the Lessee’s right to use the Equipment upon ten (10) days notice to Lessee.

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