Verso Corporation announced the appointment of Randy J. Nebel as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Nebel has served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2020 and has been a member of Verso's Board of Directors since November 2019. "We are pleased that Randy has accepted our offer to transition from the interim role to a permanent position," said Chairman of the Board Sean Erwin. "His more than 40 years of knowledge in the paper and packaging industry, combined with his breadth of executive leadership experience, make him the right choice for this role."

According to the October 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased seven percent in October compared to October 2016. Shipments of uncoated free sheet managed a year-over-year increase but this was more than offset by decreases in the remaining three major printing-writing grades. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers also decreased, down nine percent in October. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased nine percent from September 2017. •October uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments increased year-over-year for the second time this year. Imports of UFS decreased by 12 percent year-over-year in September – the fourth consecutive decrease of 12 percent or more. Meanwhile, exports of UFS papers continue to climb, up 26 percent year-over-year in September, the fifth consecutive increase of 17 percent or higher. •Recent mill shuts leave coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments down year-over-year. This is a significant change from last month’s peak for the year, as two recent mill shuts factor in to the decline this month. U.S. imports of CFS papers decreased 17 percent year-over-year in September, the third consecutive year-over-year decline. Meanwhile, exports of CFS papers increased 4 percent year-over-year in September, the seventh increase in the past nine months. •Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year in October for the fifth consecutive month. Imports of CM increased in September, up 23 percent compared to September 2016. Exports of CM decreased, down 9 percent in September to 24,200 tons – the lowest level in more than five years. •Shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers have declined year-over-year in every month when compared to the same month in 2016. Imports of UM decreased 13 percent year-over-year in September and exports of UM decreased 4 percent year-over-year in September.

Due to market conditions that remain unfavorable, after a 6-month temporary shutdown, Kruger Specialty Papers is forced to permanently shut down its newsprint, specialty papers and pulp production at its Brompton Mill. However, the water treatment plant will continue to operate and the biomass cogeneration plant will restart. The Company will use all the measures at its disposal to minimize the impact of this shutdown on the 189 affected employees, including the creation of a reclassification committee. Furthermore, approximately 25 employees will return to work to restart the biomass cogeneration plant. As a result of the shutdown, Kruger’s overall annual production will be reduced by 100,000 mt of newsprint and 70,000 mt of specialty paper.