Rice Quoted in MPBN Report on Mill Merger

Robert Rice, a professor of wood science and technology at the University of Maine, spoke with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network for a report titled “Maine paper mill merger plans hit snag.” Verso Paper recently announced it would buy NewPage Holdings, but in a letter released this week, Verso told the NewPage Board of Directors that not enough of its debt holders are willing to participate in a swap required to finance the deal. Rice said on paper the deal looks good, and after an adjustment period the mills would likely be in a more competitive position in the market.