Verso Announces Pulp Price Increase

Nippon Paper Industries launches "b7 Light", a new product in the "b7" series. The new product will be produced with the PM N4 and CM 4 at Nippon Paper Industries' Ishinomaki Mill in Japan. The "b7" series uses Nippon Paper Industries' unique bulking technology to produce well-textured coated paper that achieves low base weight and high paper thickness. The paper is available in 67g/m2, 77g/m2, 87g/m2 and 97g/m2 at 10g/m2 unit in terms of the base weight, and designed under a lineup concept similar to that of b7 TRANEXT in terms of paper thickness. Click Read More below for additional detail.

As previously announced, Julie Schertell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Neenah, will serve as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Jeff Kramer, Chief Executive Officer of SWM, will serve as a strategic advisor. John D. Rogers, Non-Executive Chairman of the SWM Board, will serve as Non-Executive Chair of the Board of Directors. The senior leadership team announced today includes: Omar Hoek, Chief Operating Officer; Andrew Wamser, Chief Financial Officer; Ricardo Nuñez, General Counsel, Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer; Natalie Poteran, Chief Transformation Officer; Sarma Malladi, Chief Information Officer; Mike Rickheim, Chief Human Resources & Administrative Officer

Financial Highlights – Third Quarter vs. Second Quarter *Net income from continuing operations of $58 million vs. $49 million *Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $197 million vs. $77 million. Commercial and Operational Highlights – Third Quarter vs. Second Quarter *Price and mix decreased by $55 million due primarily to lower paper prices in Europe and on exports from Latin America, as well as lower global pulp prices *Volume increased by $6 million due to increases in Latin America and North America *Operations and other costs improved by $1 million due to better operating and supply chain results offset by $13 million in higher unabsorbed fixed costs from increased economic downtime *Planned maintenance outage expenses decreased by $55 million *Input costs improved by $27 million driven by favorable fiber, chemical and transportation costs