STAMFORD, Conn. – Paper and forest product company International Paper Co. said Monday it agreed to sell its industrial papers unit to private equity firm Kohlberg and Co. for about $180 million.

Under the agreement, International Paper will sell Kohlberg the following:

. Paper mills in DePere and Kaukauna, Wis.;

. Paper converting facilities in Menasha, Wis., Lancaster, Ohio, and Heerlen, Netherlands; and

. Thilmany Packaging, located at the Kaukauna Mill.

The operations employ a total of about 1,400 people.

The agreement also includes a supply contract for International Paper to produce lightweight specialty papers at its mill in Jay, Maine.

The facilities have a total production capacity of about 400,000 tons.

International Paper officials said they expect to close the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, in the second quarter.

The industrial papers unit makes lightweight packaging papers and pressure-sensitive papers used in pressure-sensitive labels, food and industrial packaging and consumer hygiene products.

The company announced in August that it would be exploring strategic alternatives for the unit.