Verso Corporation announced the closure of its paper mill located in Wickliffe, Kentucky. The mill has been idle since November 2015, the result of a continuing and accelerated decline in demand for the company’s coated paper products.   The Wickliffe mill has one paper machine with the capacity to produce 285,000 tons per year of coated freesheet, specialty and uncoated paper, and 30,000 tons per year of dried market pulp and and influx of imports driven by the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies.

“The decision to close the Wickliffe Mill is aligned with Verso’s long-held commitment to balance the supply of our products with our customers’ demand for them, and is not related to the company’s Chapter 11 proceedings,” said David J. Paterson, CEO

The shutdown is expected to be complete by July 1.