UPM's Chudovo Plywood Mill celebrates its 20th anniversary on Wednesday, 3 November 2010. The mill has been the pioneer of the modern plywood industry in Russia and continues to set benchmark for the local plywood industry.

The Chudovo mill manufactures top quality WISA® birch plywood and veneer from local raw material. In addition to standard plywood and veneer, one third of the mill's production is further processed by coating. The mill's products are used primarily in transport and construction industries and carpentry. The mill produces also special plywood for the LNG carriers.

Approximately 75% of the mills production goes to exports, primarily to Europe. The location in Chudovo in the Novgorod region, close to St Petersburg, is very good when it comes to transport infrastructure. Road, rail and sea ports are all easily accessible. The mill has a central role in UPM Plywood's distribution business as well as in birch plywood production in general.

"Since the early days, the mill's production capacity has doubled to the current 100,000 cubic meters per year. Also, the mill's operational efficiency and the degree of further processing have consistently increased over the years. This is largely due to the long term commitment of the local personnel, of which, many have worked there since the very beginning", says Jouni Töyräs, Vice President, Distribution Business Unit at UPM Plywood.

The Chudovo mill has constantly improved its operations. For this systematic development work, the mill has been granted both international ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates for quality and environment as well as VTT and DIN Otto Graf certificates. The rating agency Expert RA has also granted the mill the environmental rating Eco A.

The plywood mill is one of the biggest employers in Chudovo area and significant also in the Novgorod region. The mill employs around 600 persons and several hundreds more indirectly in trade and services.

The constituent documents of CJSC "Chudovo-RWS" – the first ever Soviet-Finnish joint venture – were signed on 5 July 1988 by the Soviet Novgorodlesprom and the Finnish Schauman Wood Oy and Raute Oy. Plywood production at the mill started on 1 November 1990. UPM became the sole owner of the mill in 2005.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Anatoli Zhukovets, General Director, UPM Chudovo, tel. + 7 921 1946080
Mr. Jouni Töyräs, Vice President, Distribution Business Unit, UPM Plywood, tel. +358 40 561 1091

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 23,000 people and it has production plants in 15 countries. In 2009, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 7.7 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

UPM Plywood offers high-quality WISA plywood and veneer products mainly for construction, transport and furniture industries. The sales of UPM Plywood in 2009 were EUR 306 million and it has about 2,600 employees. UPM has 6 plywood mills and 2 veneer mills in Finland, a plywood mill in Russia and a plywood mill in Estonia. www.wisaplywood.com

UPM in Russia
In Russia, UPM employs about 1,000 people. UPM owns a plywood mill in Chudovo and a sawmill in Pestovo in the Novgorod region. In addition, the company has sales and logistics offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Ekaterinburg as well as the UPM Raflatac slicing and distribution terminal in St. Petersburg. The wood and biomass sourcing business includes offices in St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, Novgorod, Vologda, and large logging company in the Leningrad region - Tikhvinskij lespromhoz. www.upm.ru

Verso Paper Corp. has announced that Michael A. Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert P. Mundy, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be providing a company overview to investors at the Barclays Capital Global Fixed Income Paper & Packaging Conference in New York City, N.Y., Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time.

About Verso

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Verso Paper Corp. is a leading North American producer of coated papers, including coated groundwood and coated freesheet, and supercalendered and specialty products. Verso's paper products are used primarily in media and marketing applications, including magazines, catalogs, and commercial printing applications such as high-end advertising brochures, annual reports, and direct-mail advertising.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this press release all statements that are not purely historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "estimate," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available business, economic, financial and other information and reflect management's current beliefs, expectations and views with respect to future developments and their potential effects on Verso. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties that may affect Verso and its business. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to Verso's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Verso assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or actual outcomes.

SOURCE: Verso Paper Corp.

Verso Paper Corp.
Robert P. Mundy
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
901-369-4128
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.versopaper.com

Powerflute’s® long-term development program continues! After the headbox investment, paper profile improvements and product specification upgrades, we have now taken the next step. In accordance with our long-term plan, we have now focused on better managing the pulp-cooking and fibre-treatment process. We believe this is the area where the key to producing the best possible semi-chemical fluting lies.

In conjunction with our annual maintenance standstill in August, we have now upgraded the process controls in our pulp mill and installed a new stage in our mechanical fibre treatment. These improvements allow us to treat our fibres more gently, which in turn allows them to create a stronger fibre net than before. This means that our paper from now on will be easier to handle, increasing the operating window on the corrugator. These investments also give us a more stable process, which should translate into a more consistent product quality from order to order. We are therefore confident that you, our customer, will experience improved productivity due to the better runnability of our paper on your corrugator.

In the short time since the August standstill, we have been able to verify these improvements through our own laboratory tests as well as through initial customer feedback. While this already has been a very encouraging development, it is also just the beginning as we will continue to fine-tune the process and hope to achieve further improvements still! And this is where we also will need your help: Close co-operation with you, our most valued customers, is of essential importance for us as we strive to maximise the benefits of our enhanced capabilities. We can improve Powerflute even further, which we are convinced will be a valuable asset in our joint battle against the threat of plastic boxes in the most demanding end-use areas.

Today, Vice-president Antonio Tajani, European Commissioner for Industry and Enterprise, presented a Communication on a renewed industrial policy - "An industrial policy in the globalisation era: putting competitiveness and sustainability at centre stage". Together with the other EU2020 initiatives, this Communication aims to boost growth and create additional employment in Europe through improving the framework conditions for European industry and facilitate the transformation towards a low carbon economy, mastering globalisation and innovation.

The European paper industry welcomes the Commission’s Communication and its acknowledgement that industry is indeed the base of the new growth model for Europe. The pulp and paper industry - an eco-industry delivering bio-based products - is engaged in and contributes to the transition to low-carbon and resource-efficient EU economy.

To be competitive, Europe, through its renewed industrial policy, must actively support a level playing field for EU industry in a global market. CEPI welcomes the sectoral approach that can bring specific solutions to energy-intensive industries.

 “It is essential that the industrial competitiveness dimension is included in all EU policies”, said Teresa Presas, CEPI Managing Director. All policy measures on a national and European level should go through the “competitiveness-proofing” highlighted in the Communication, respect better-regulation and internal-market principles. They must also reflect an integrated approach for dealing with competitiveness, energy and environmental issues in a sustainable and cost-efficient way.

Technology and key enabling technologies are rightly identified as key drivers for industrial policy to deliver greener and socially inclusive growth. A strong and supportive research framework that steers innovation in European industrial sectors is a key precondition for European competitiveness.   

As correctly mentioned in the Communication, an integrated and ambitious EU industrial policy can succeed only if it is broadly supported by EU institutions, Member States and stakeholders.

CEPI aisbl - The Confederation of European Paper Industries
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is a Brussels-based non-profit making organisation regrouping the European pulp and paper industry and championing this industry’s achievements and the benefits of its products. Its mission is to promote the member’s business sector by taking specific actions notably, by monitoring and analysing activities and initiatives in the areas of industry, environment, energy, forestry, recycling, fiscal policies and competitiveness in general. Through CEPI, the paper industry increases its visibility and acts on emerging issues, making expert and constructive contributions on behalf of the industry.

Its collective expertise provides a unique source of information both for and on the industry; coordinating essential exchanges of experience and knowledge among its members, the ability to provide technical assistance to legislators and to identify independent experts on specific issues. Through its 19 member countries (17 European Union members plus Norway and Switzerland) CEPI represents some 750 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multi-nationals, and 1080 paper mills. Together they represent 25% of world production.
Website: www.cepi.org

The value of paper, in its many forms, is at the core of society’s needs. Ensuring its future developments will allow it to realise its full potential. Five values show the benefits of the paper industry and its products to the European society:

o    Paper is natural
o    Paper is essential
o    Paper is innovative
o    Paper is renewable
o    Paper is precious

Our industry is an example to others in its responses to current challenges, not least in mitigating climate change. We practice sustainable forest management, which captures CO2, pursue security of energy supply through renewable energy, and optimise resources through the highest recycling rates. We are a significant provider of employment, and add economic value through the constant harnessing and updating of new technologies.

The Alliance for a Competitive European Industry (ACEI) welcomes the adoption today of the European Commission communication “An Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era – Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage”. The Alliance sees in the document the recognition of the major role that manufacturing industries play in the European economy.

Last spring, when launching its manifesto the ACEI called for an EU industrial partnership as a new approach to address the challenges that Europe is facing. It is only by reconciling industry and policy makers that we can successfully create the smart, sustainable and inclusive society that is at the heart of a new industrial policy. The proposed flagship initiative launched today is a decisive step towards that partnership. It will only make a difference if it is implemented in a coordinated approach of the EU institutions, member states and business.

“Vice President Tajani has set the grounds for a truly integrated industrial policy. To achieve results, the industrial competitiveness dimension needs to be included in all EU policies”, says Teresa Presas, Chairman of the ACEI.

Europe is witnessing some recovery from the crisis that has affected all areas of activity over the last two years. Evidence shows that the key driver for that recovery is industrial output and its export capacity. “To be competitive, Europe must actively support open and fair global markets for EU industry. It has to create a hotbed for industrial innovation and job creation in Europe”, adds Philippe de Buck, co-chairman of the Alliance.

In particular, European trade policy needs to be coherent with industrial policy and support the European manufacturing base as well.

The Alliance also welcomes the sectoral perspective taken in the new industrial policy. Although the industrial chain works as a whole and is driven by some common policies such as the Internal Market and free trade, its different links require specific considerations in terms of technology, skills, innovation.

The manufacturing sector looks forward to the implementation of the “competitiveness proofing” as a key tool to reconcile competitiveness and sustainability and support the pledge by industry to remain in Europe.

About us
The Alliance regroups European automotive, chemicals, cement, pulp and paper, food and drink, textile and apparel, electricity, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, oil refining and engineering industries, and BUSINESSEUROPE. Its objective is to promote the competitiveness of European industry on a global scale. Altogether, the sector members of the Alliance employ 23 million people, generating €5 trillion yearly, and contributing with €1.3 trillion added value to the EU GDP.

Georgia-Pacific has announced that its mills in Port Hudson, La., and Crossett, Ark., have been selected as the locations for the company’s previously announced more than $500 million investments in advanced, proprietary tissue-papermaking technology.

With the investments, each site will use the advanced technology to upgrade one of its existing paper machines and will install associated converting equipment. Engineering and related work is beginning immediately. Start up of the upgraded and new equipment is scheduled for 2012. Both projects will modernize the mills, improving their long-term competitiveness and helping to preserve existing jobs. These locations currently have approximately 2,300 employees. The projects also will create significant construction-related jobs during the work.

Together, these investments will enable Georgia-Pacific to produce an innovative, next generation of premium branded and top-tier customer branded bath tissue to meet the growing demands of consumers and customers.

“We are pleased to announce these major investments for our manufacturing locations in Arkansasand Louisiana,” said Kathy Walters, executive vice president - Georgia-Pacific Global Consumer Products. “This reflects our company’s strong commitment to our consumer products business, to the global competitiveness of skilled Georgia-Pacific employees, to the support of the communities where we operate and to the states that support the value we create.”

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe added, “This tremendous investment in Crossett reflects Georgia-Pacific’s faith in the Arkansasworkforce and the business support in our state. Along with securing long-term viability for this facility and the quality jobs it provides, this project will create as many as 400 construction jobs during the expansion.”

“This is a great win for East Baton Rouge Parish, our forest products industry and our entire state,” said Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. “For the last two years, we have secured more significant business development projects per capita than any other Southern state. This project is yet another great example of the value of making business retention and expansion our top economic development priority. Georgia-Pacific has long been one of the largest, most important employers in the Capital Region -- this $300 million modernization project will ensure that Georgia-Pacific continues to be a major contributor to our economy for years to come.”

Jim Hannan, Georgia-Pacific chief executive officer and president, said, “These projects are a portion of the approximately $12 billion Georgia-Pacific and other Koch companies have invested in our businesses during the last five years - even during difficult economic conditions. Koch companies have historically invested 90 percent or more of their earnings back into their businesses so that they can continue to grow, meet customer needs and create value for society.”

This proprietary technology meets consumers’ demanding needs for premium qualities in tissue products - including softness and absorbency - while reducing combinations of fiber use, energy use or water use versus alternative papermaking processes.

These investments in Arkansasand Louisianaare the latest in a long history of investment in the states by Georgia-Pacific and other Koch companies. In Arkansas, Koch companies employ more than 3,100 people and, in Louisiana, Koch companies employ more than 1,300 people.

Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of building products, tissue, packaging, paper, cellulose and related chemicals. The company employs more than 40,000 people at approximately 300 locations in North America, South Americaand Europe. Georgia-Pacific creates long-term value by using resources efficiently to provide innovative products and solutions that meet the needs of customers and society, while operating in a manner that is environmentally and socially responsible and economically sound. The familiar consumer tissue brands of Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP include Quilted Northern^®, Angel Soft^®, Brawny^®, enMotion^®, Sparkle^®, Mardi Gras^® and Vanity Fair^®. Dixie Consumer Products LLC, a Georgia-Pacific company, manufactures the Dixie^® brand of tabletop products. Georgia-Pacific has long been among the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers, with brands such as Plytanium^® plywood, DryPly^® water repellent plywood, Ply-Bead^® panels and Wood I Beam^™ joists offered by Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC and DensArmor Plus^® interior panels, DensGlass^® Sheathing and ToughRock^® drywall offered by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. For more information, visit www.gp.com., www.facebook.com/georgiapacific or www.twitter.com/georgiapacific.

We would like to announce that on 28th July, 2010 in Santica hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, PMPoland S.A. – member of PMP Group signed a contract with PT Graha Cemerlang Paper Utama (Grace Paper) – member of Kompas Gramedia for a new Intelli-Tissue™ 2100 machine. It is the second machine from PMPoland S.A. that will continue tissue business development of Kompas Gramedia group. After gaining the position of one of the key supplier of tissue goods in Indonesia through selling Tessa brand, Kompas Gramedia decided to implement its development plan and go one step further through installing its second tissue technological line in the mill located in Cikampek, 80 km from Jakarta. PMP’s technical solutions and high quality manufacturing capabilities resulted meeting project requirements as it was for the first time.

PMPoland S.A. will supply a new 3650 mm crescent former Intelli-Tissue™ 2100 machine (mirror image of the first unit) with a maximum capacity about 140 tpd of the maximum operating speed 2000 mpm. It is a repeated order in comparison to the machine supplied in 2005, however the Intelli-Tissue™ 2100 machine is of higher maximum operating speed so also approx 5% higher capacity. The machine will be able to produce tissue in a basis weight range of 12-42 gsm for conversion into toilet rolls, facial tissue and towels from 100% virgin pulp both hardwood and softwood.

The scope of supply covers stock approach, entire tissue machine (Intelli-Jet V™ headbox, Intelli-Former™ Crescent Former, Intelli-Press™, Intelli-Reel™ and 15’’ YD with high efficiency gas hood) including auxiliary systems like lubrication system, steam & condensate and vacuum systems, dust & mist removal systems. The equipment supply and start-up are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

The Intelli-Tissue™ 2100 machine project will be the next step of cooperation between GCPU and PMP. Both teams are convinced that common understanding will be a great basis to meet project goals. Together PMP & GCPU will build not only a great machine, but an exceptional relationship. Let it grow in the future to have a chance to enjoy more happy moments.

Ahlstrom Corporation, a leading developer and producer of nonwovens and specialty papers, has today signed a joint venture agreement with Longkou Yulong Paper Co. Ltd, a paper producer based in Longkou, in the province of Shandong in northeastern China. The parties have agreed to establish a new manufacturing facility in the Zhuyouguan Industrial Park in Longkou for the production of medical papers used e.g. in sterilization wraps, and masking tape substrates for the building industry in the Asian market.

The parties have agreed that Ahlstrom will have a 60% share in the joint venture and Longkou Yulong Paper will have a 40% share. The total estimated investment amounts to EUR 21.9 million, of which Ahlstrom will invest EUR 13.1 million. The start-up of the new plant is planned for the summer of 2012.

Ahlstrom President & CEO Jan Lång regards the joint venture as an important step in the implementation of Ahlstrom's growth strategy in Asia, and of mutual benefit for both companies.

"We are very pleased to have Yulong Paper as our joint venture partner in China, as the company is very well established in the local paper market and has strong expertise in the paper industry. Through this joint venture, we will be able to serve our local customers in China and Asia in the growing healthcare and building markets", Jan Lång states.

The new site will be part of Ahlstrom's Food & Medical Business Area, which accounted for approximately 20% of the Group's net sales in the third quarter of 2010. The agreement is still subject to the necessary approvals by the authorities and the fulfillment of general closing conditions.

Ahlstrom currently generates about 10 percent of its annual net sales in Asia, and has stated that its strategic target is to grow its Asian footprint markedly from the current level. As part of implementing this growth strategy, Ahlstrom acquired the automotive filter manufacturer Shandong Puri Filter & Paper Products Ltd, based in Binzhou, Shandong, in September.

In addition to the new plant to be established, Ahlstrom has four other manufacturing plants and twelve sales offices in Asia.

Further information:
Ahlstrom Corporation
Risto Anttonen, Deputy to the CEO, tel. +358 10 888 4166
Jan Lång, President & CEO, tel. +358 10 888 4700
Seppo Parvi, CFO, tel +358 10 888 4768