Verso to Amend Grade Offering

UPM Raflatac is the first company in the world to invest in Ocean Bound Plastics (OBP) waste as label raw material in their new Ocean Action labels. The Ocean Action labels are made from ocean bound plastic using mass balance approach. Ocean bound plastic is abandoned plastic waste recovered from areas up to 50km inland from waterways, defined as “at risk of ending up in the ocean” by OBPCert. The new innovative label material is made possible by close collaboration with multiple partners in the product’s value chain. ”The new innovative Ocean Action label material is the latest step in our beyond fossils journey. It does not only help prevent the plastic waste from ending up in the oceans but also offers brand owners the possibility to meet their recycled content targets for packaging. The Ocean Action label material is an easy-to-use drop-in solution created especially for food and cosmetics end-uses as it has exactly the same performance as the current fossil-based labels,” says Eliisa Laurikainen, Business Development Manager from UPM Raflatac.

Mactac®, a leading supplier of pressure-sensitive papers and films, and ARMOR, a leader in the design and production of thermal transfer ribbons, are working together to deliver more sustainable thermal transfer solutions to the labeling industry. “By focusing on sustainable product development, Mactac and ARMOR are helping ensure the labeling industry is making strides in reducing the impact on the environment – which is a priority of Mactac and our parent company, LINTEC,” says Sara Damante, Senior Marketing Manager, Mactac Performance Adhesives. Tim Maher, Director of Sales for ARMOR North America adds, “ARMOR adopts a long-term vision of its business, deeming sustainability essential to success. Our eco-design efforts focus on developing products that deliver measurable benefits. Our inkanto® AWR 8 ribbon is manufactured with our Solfree™ coating process making it the only true solvent-free ribbon in the world. Additionally, our reduced film content ribbons deliver exceptional performance while improving the carbon impact on the environment.”

Verso Corporation announced that its board of directors, as part of its ongoing efforts to maximize stockholder value, has formed a Strategic Alternatives Committee comprised of independent directors Eugene I. Davis, Alan J. Carr and Steven D. Scheiwe, with Mr. Davis serving as chairperson. The committee, with the assistance of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., the company's financial advisor, will lead Verso's continuing efforts to identify and evaluate a range of potential strategic transaction alternatives, including the possible sale of some Verso mills, engage in discussions and oversee the due diligence process with parties potentially interested in transactions with the company, and recommend to the board whether any proposed transaction is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders. "Verso is committed to exploring strategic transaction alternatives, and the committee will facilitate this process," said Verso Chairman of the Board Rob Amen. "The committee is charged with proceeding expeditiously, but will evaluate alternatives carefully for their ability to provide superior value to Verso's stockholders." Click Read More below for additional detail.