Verso Stevens Point Mill Earns 2015 Green Masters Award for Sustainability Initiatives and Performance

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Verso Corporation (OTCQB: VRSZ), a leading supplier of printing papers, specialty papers and pulp, today announced that its mill in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has earned a 2015 Green Masters Award for the second year in a row. Verso is among an exclusive group of leading companies in Wisconsin that was recognized by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council for significant and ongoing sustainability practices.

"Sustainability is one of Verso's founding principles and is integral to the decisions we make across our business every day," said Becky Burris, Verso Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability. "As we seek to reduce our environmental footprint, we challenge ourselves and our suppliers to find new and better ways to use resources more efficiently and further reduce air emissions, water discharges and waste. We are very proud to be recognized by the Green Masters Program for our sustainability initiatives at the Stevens Point Mill."

The Stevens Point Mill was judged in a competitive process on a comprehensive range of key sustainability areas, including energy, water, waste management, emissions and transportation, as well as educational and community outreach. The Green Masters Award designation is the highest tier attainable in this competitive process and is only made available to Green Masters Program participants scoring in the top 20 percent of all program participants, based on points awarded for sustainability practices in these key sustainability areas.

The Stevens Point Mill produces specialty papers for food, beverage and consumer goods applications. The mill works within stringent operational standards, constantly striving to improve internal processes, and has invested in continuous improvement methodology that has led to a number of successful sustainability projects. "Our overarching sustainability goal is continuous performance improvement in everything we do," said Stevens Point Mill Manager Craig Helgeson. "The Stevens Point Mill continues to make noteworthy progress in sustainably manufacturing and delivering high quality specialty papers. It is rewarding to be recognized alongside other companies in Wisconsin who are sustainability leaders."

Notable accomplishments for the Stevens Point Mill in 2015:

• Carbon Emissions Reduction: Two-year reduction of 8.8 percent in carbon emissions produced per ton of paper manufactured
• Water Usage Reduction: Two-year reduction of nearly 19 percent of total water usage per ton of paper manufactured
• Total Energy Usage Reduction: Nearly 4 percent reduction in energy usage over prior year per ton of paper manufactured
• Transportation Sustainability: Over 86 percent of shipments utilize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay™ transportation partners

The 2015 Green Masters Award was presented to Verso today at the 8th Annual Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

About the Green Masters Program

The Green Masters Program is an objective, points-based recognition program that enables Wisconsin institutions of all sizes and from any sector to join a group of like-minded companies that are "on the road to sustainability." Developed by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin, the Green Masters Program helps to recognize Wisconsin's sustainability leaders and encourage continuous improvement. Nearly 200 Wisconsin Businesses are participating in the program, and only the top 20 percent achieve the highest "Green Master" designation. 

About Verso

Verso Corporation is the turn-to company for those looking to successfully navigate the complexities of paper sourcing and performance. The leading North American producer of printing and specialty papers and pulp, Verso provides insightful solutions that help drive improved customer efficiency, productivity, brand awareness and business results. Verso's long-standing reputation for quality and reliability is directly tied to our vision to be a company with passion that is respected and trusted by all. Verso's passion is rooted in ethical business practices that demand safe workplaces for our employees and sustainable wood sourcing for our products. This passion, combined with our flexible manufacturing capabilities and an unmatched commitment to product performance, delivery and service, make Verso a preferred choice among commercial printers, paper merchants and brokers, converters, publishers and other end users. For more information, visit us online at versoco.com.

SOURCE Verso Corporation

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