Verso Paper recently announced two significant reductions in their coated groundwood production: the transition of a top paper machine from coated groundwood to lightweight specialty paper, and 30,000 tons of downtime in overall coated groundwood production during the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

In September, Verso began to transition its No. 1 paper machine at its Bucksport Mill in Maine to manufacture specialty papers rather than coated groundwood. Once fully transitioned, this change will reduce Verso’s coated groundwood production capacity by 84,000 tons per year.

Additionally, Verso has been taking downtime this fall at various mills, including Sartell Mill in Minnesota and Bucksport Mill in Maine. The company is planning a total of approximately 30,000 tons of curtailment, specifically of coated groundwood paper, during the fourth quarter of this year.

Verso’s curtailment is a direct response to the decrease in demand for coated groundwood paper. Verso President and CEO Mike Jackson said, “We are committed to running our manufacturing operations in a manner to achieve a balance between our supply of paper and the demand for paper by our customers. Based on what we currently see relative to demand and current inventory levels, this additional downtime will help us maintain that balance.”

 

 

Verso papers used by Lane Press customers: Influence, #4 & #5 Coated Groundwood