DEFINED TERMS

This joint proxy and information statement/prospectus generally avoids the use of technical defined terms, but a few frequently used terms may be helpful for you to have in mind at the outset. Unless otherwise specified or if the context so requires, this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus uses the following defined terms:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR VERSO STOCKHOLDERS

The questions and answers below highlight only selected information from this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus. They do not contain all of the information that may be important to you. The Verso board of directors is soliciting proxies from its stockholders to vote at a special meeting of Verso stockholders, to be held at 10:00 a.m., Central Time, on August 12, 2014 at Verso’s office located at 6775 Lenox Center Court, Memphis, Tennessee, and any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. You should read carefully this entire joint proxy and information statement/prospectus to fully understand the matters to be acted upon and the voting procedures for the Verso special meeting.

In order to complete the Merger, Verso stockholders must vote to approve the issuance of shares of Verso common stock to the NewPage stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Verso stockholders must also vote to approve the issuance of Verso Warrants in connection with the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer and the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer. The number of shares of Verso common stock to be issued to the NewPage stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration will be based on the number of shares of Verso common stock outstanding after the conversion of the Verso Warrants to be issued to the holders of Old Second Lien Notes participating in the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer and holders of Old Subordinated Notes participating in the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer.

This document serves as both a proxy statement of Verso and a prospectus of Verso. It is a proxy statement because the Verso board of directors is soliciting proxies for use at a special meeting of its stockholders to vote on a proposal to approve the issuance of shares of Verso common stock as well as the other proposals set forth in the notice of the meeting and described in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, and your proxy will be used at the meeting or at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. It is a prospectus because Verso will issue Verso common stock and New First Lien Notes to NewPage stockholders in the Merger. On or about August 5, 2014, Verso intends to begin to deliver to its stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 4, 2014, printed versions of these materials.

Your vote is important.

We are not soliciting a vote of NewPage stockholders. On July 16, 2014, NewPage received the written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders of shares of NewPage common stock to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. This joint proxy and information statement/prospectus is being provided to NewPage stockholders for informational purposes.

the presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Verso common stock as of the record date entitled to vote at the Verso special meeting.

As of June 30, 2014, there were 53,327,441 shares of Verso common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Verso special meeting that were held by 31 holders of record.

If you are a Verso stockholder of record and wish to attend the Verso special meeting, please so indicate on the appropriate proxy card or as prompted by the telephone or Internet voting system. Your name will be verified against the list of Verso stockholders of record prior to your being admitted to the Verso special meeting.

If a broker, bank or other nominee is the record owner of your shares of Verso common stock, you will need to have proof that you are the beneficial owner to be admitted to the Verso special meeting. A recent statement or letter from your bank or broker confirming your ownership as of the record date, or presentation of a valid proxy from a broker, bank or other nominee that is the record owner of your shares of Verso common stock, would be acceptable proof of your beneficial ownership.

You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. If you do not provide photo identification or comply with the other procedures outlined above upon request, you may not be admitted to the Verso special meeting.

Regardless of whether you intend to attend the Verso special meeting, you are encouraged to vote your shares of Verso common stock as promptly as possible. Voting your shares will not impact your ability to attend the Verso special meeting.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO NEWPAGE STOCKHOLDERS ABOUT THE MERGER

The following questions and answers are intended to address briefly some commonly asked questions regarding the Merger and the Merger Agreement. These questions and answers may not address all questions that may be important to you as a NewPage stockholder. Please refer to the “Summary” and the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, the annexes to this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus and the documents referred to in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, each of which you should read carefully. For additional information about NewPage and its subsidiaries, please see “Information About NewPage” beginning on page 391. You may also obtain additional information about NewPage and its subsidiaries without charge by following the instructions set forth in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 415.

As a result of the Merger, NewPage will become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Verso, will no longer be a 1934 Act reporting company and will no longer file any reports with the SEC on account of NewPage’s common stock. In addition, the NewPage Stockholders Agreement will terminate in accordance with its terms.

SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information described in more detail elsewhere in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the Merger and to obtain a more complete description of the terms of the Merger Agreement, you should carefully read this entire joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, including the annexes hereto, and the documents to which Verso and NewPage refer you. We have included page references parenthetically to direct you to a more complete description of the topics presented in this summary. Within the organization, Verso Paper Corp. is the ultimate parent entity and the sole member of Verso Paper Finance Holdings One LLC, which is the sole member of Verso Paper Finance Holdings LLC, which is the sole member of Verso Paper Holdings LLC. Unless otherwise indicated herein or the context requires otherwise, references in this Summary to “Verso,” refers collectively to Verso Paper Corp. and its subsidiaries; the term “Verso Finance” refers to Verso Paper Finance Holdings LLC; the term “Verso Holdings” refers to Verso Paper Holdings LLC. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both Verso and Verso Holdings. References to “NewPage” refer collectively to NewPage Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to “we,” “us” or “our” refer collectively to Verso and NewPage; however, in the case of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” the terms “we,” “us” or “our” refer only to Verso and Verso Holdings.

The Companies

Verso (See page 390)

Verso Paper Corp.

6775 Lenox Center Court, Suite 400

Memphis, Tennessee 38115-4436

(901) 369-4100

Verso is a leading North American supplier of coated papers to catalog and magazine publishers. The coating process adds a smooth uniform layer in the paper, which results in superior color and print definition. As a result, coated paper is used primarily in media and marketing applications, including catalogs, magazines, and commercial printing applications, such as high-end advertising brochures, annual reports, and direct mail advertising.

Verso is one of North America’s largest producers of coated groundwood paper, which is used primarily for catalogs and magazines. Verso is also a low cost producer of coated freesheet paper, which is used primarily for annual reports, brochures, and magazine covers. Verso also produces and sells market kraft pulp, which is used to manufacture printing and writing paper grades and tissue products. Verso’s net sales by product line for the year ended December 31, 2013 were approximately $619 million, $444 million, $156 million and $170 million for coated groundwood paper, coated freesheet paper, pulp and other, respectively.

Verso operates eight paper machines at three mills located in Maine and Michigan. Verso believes its coated paper mills are among the most efficient and lowest cost coated paper mills based on the cash cost of delivery to Chicago, Illinois. Verso attributes its manufacturing efficiency, in part, to the significant historical investments made in its mills. Verso’s mills have a combined annual production capacity of 1,305,000 tons of coated paper, 160,000 tons of ultra-lightweight specialty and uncoated papers, and 930,000 tons of kraft pulp. Of the pulp that Verso produces, Verso consumes approximately 635,000 tons internally and sells the rest. Verso’s facilities are well located near major publication printing customers, which affords it the ability to more quickly and cost-effectively deliver its products. The facilities also benefit from convenient and cost-effective access to northern softwood fiber, which is required for the production of lightweight and ultra-lightweight coated papers.

Verso sells and markets its products to approximately 130 customers, which comprise approximately 700 end-user accounts. Verso has long-standing relationships with many leading magazine and catalog publishers,

commercial printers, specialty retail merchandisers and paper merchants. Verso’s relationships with its ten largest coated paper customers average more than 20 years. Verso reaches its end-users through several distribution channels, including direct sales, commercial printers, paper merchants, and brokers. Many of Verso’s customers provide Verso with forecasts of their paper needs, which allows Verso to plan its production runs in advance, optimizing production over its integrated mill system and thereby reducing costs and increasing overall efficiency. Verso’s key customers include leading magazine publishers such as Condé Nast Publications, Hearst Enterprises, and National Geographic Society; leading catalog producers such as Avon Products, Inc., Restoration Hardware, Inc. and Cornerstone Brands, Inc.; leading commercial printers such as Quad/Graphics, Inc. and RR Donnelley & Sons Company and leading paper merchants and brokers, such as A.T. Clayton & Co., xpedx, and Clifford Paper, Inc.

As of June 30, 2014, Verso had approximately 2,100 employees. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, Verso had net sales of approximately $1,388.9 million, $1,474.6 million and $1,722.5 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Verso had net sales of approximately $299.1 million and $333.2 million, respectively. Verso had net losses of $111.2 million, $173.8 million and $137.1 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and net losses of $90.6 million and $38.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Verso Holdings had net losses of $111.2 million, $166.2 million and $122.5 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and net losses of $90.6 million and $37.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Verso Merger Sub Inc.

Verso Merger Sub Inc.

6775 Lenox Center Court, Suite 400

Memphis, TN 38115-4436

(901) 369-4100

Verso Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation, referred to as Merger Sub, is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Verso and a direct subsidiary of Verso Holdings. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and, prior to the Merger, will not have engaged in any other business activities other than those relating to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In the Merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into NewPage, and Merger Sub will cease to exist.

Verso Paper Holdings LLC

Verso Paper Holdings LLC

6775 Lenox Center Court, Suite 400

Memphis, TN 38115-4436

(901) 369-4100

Within our organization, Verso Paper Corp. is the ultimate parent entity and the sole member of Verso Paper Finance Holdings One LLC, which is the sole member of Verso Paper Finance Holdings LLC, which is the sole member of Verso Paper Holdings LLC.

NewPage (See page 391)

NewPage Holdings Inc.

8540 Gander Creek Drive

Miamisburg, Ohio 45342

(937) 242-9629

NewPage competes in the global printing and writing paper business, producing coated papers, supercalendered papers, and other uncoated and specialty products. NewPage also sells its excess market pulp. Most of NewPage’s sales represent coated paper shipments to North American customers. Coated paper is used primarily in media and marketing applications, such as high-end advertising brochures, direct mail advertising, coated labels, magazines, magazine covers and inserts, catalogs and textbooks.

NewPage operates paper mills located in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. All of NewPage’s paper mills are at least partially-integrated, meaning that they produce paper, pulp and energy. Most of the energy produced at these mills is for internal use. As of December 31, 2013, NewPage’s mills had total annual production capacity of approximately 3.5 million short tons of paper, including approximately 2.9 million short tons of coated paper, approximately 400,000 short tons of uncoated paper and approximately 200,000 short tons of specialty paper. All of NewPage’s long-lived assets are located within the United States. NewPage’s mills and distribution centers, are strategically located near major print markets, such as New York, Chicago and Minneapolis.

NewPage has long-standing relationships with many leading publishers, commercial printers, specialty retail merchandisers and paper merchants. NewPage’s ten largest customers accounted for approximately half of its net sales for 2013. NewPage’s key customers include Condé Nast Publications, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Meredith Corporation, Hearst Corporation, Rodale Inc. and Time Inc. in publishing; Quad/Graphics and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company in commercial printing; Sears Holdings Corporation, Target Corporation and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. in retailing; and paper merchants Lindenmeyr, a division of Central National-Gottesman Inc., Unisource Worldwide, Inc. and xpedx, a division of International Paper Company. Key customers for specialty paper products include Avery Dennison Corporation and Fort Dearborn Company. During 2013, xpedx and Unisource accounted for 13% and 12% of net sales. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of NewPage’s 2013 net sales.

As of June 30, 2014, NewPage had approximately 5,500 employees. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, NewPage had net sales of $3,054 million, $3,131 million and $3,502 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, NewPage had net sales of $757 million and $756 million, respectively. NewPage had net losses of $2 million in 2013, net income of $1,258 million in 2012 and net losses of $498 million in 2011 and net losses of $71 million and $11 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

As a result of the Creditor Protection Proceedings described elsewhere in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, the implementation of the Chapter 11 plan and the application of fresh start accounting materially changed the carrying amounts and classifications reported in NewPage’s consolidated financial statements and resulted in NewPage becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, NewPage’s consolidated financial statements for periods prior to December 31, 2012 will not be comparable to NewPage’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 or for periods subsequent to December 31, 2012. References to “Successor” or “Successor Company” refer to NewPage Holdings Inc. on or after December 31, 2012, after giving effect to the implementation of the Chapter 11 plan and the application of fresh start accounting. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” refer to NewPage Corporation prior to December 31, 2012.

For additional information about NewPage and its subsidiaries, see “Information About NewPage” beginning on page 391 and “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 415.

Vote Required

Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Verso special meeting. As of the record date, Verso directors, executive officers and their affiliates are entitled to vote 37,720,907 shares of Verso common stock, or approximately 71% of the total outstanding shares of Verso common stock.

On July 16, 2014, NewPage received the written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders of shares of NewPage common stock to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. As of July 16, 2014 and the date of this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, NewPage directors, executive officers and their affiliates are entitled to vote 8,761 shares of NewPage common stock, or approximately 0.1% of the total issued and outstanding shares of NewPage common stock.

Merger and Merger Agreement (See pages 213 and 266)

On January 3, 2014, Verso, Merger Sub and NewPage entered into the Merger Agreement, providing for the merger of Merger Sub and NewPage, with NewPage surviving as an indirect subsidiary of Verso.

The terms and conditions of the Merger are contained in the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read the Merger Agreement carefully, as it is the legal document that governs the Merger.

Transaction Consideration (See page 266)

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (a) approximately $243 million in cash was paid to holders of NewPage common stock as a dividend prior to the date of this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, which is referred to as the “Recapitalization Dividend,” with the remaining approximately $7 million of the $250 million total cash consideration contemplated by the Merger Agreement paid into an escrow account for the benefit of holders of NewPage restricted stock units upon vesting and holders of NewPage stock options upon consummation of the Merger, and (b) each share of common stock of NewPage outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than treasury shares of NewPage and any shares of NewPage common stock owned by Verso or any subsidiary of Verso or NewPage, and other than shares of common stock as to which dissenters’ rights have been properly exercised pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) will be converted into the right to receive its pro rata portion of:

As of the date of the filing of this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, the number of shares of Verso common stock to be issued to NewPage stockholders would be approximately 14.4 million in the aggregate, assuming a 100% participation of aggregate principal amount of Old Second Lien Notes in the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer and a 100% participation of aggregate principal amount of Old Subordinated Notes in the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer, and that the number of shares of Verso common stock issued as part of the Merger Consideration is not further adjusted upwards.

Upon the closing of the Merger, each share of NewPage common stock outstanding immediately prior to the closing (other than shares owned directly or indirectly by Verso or Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries, and NewPage stockholders, if any, who effectively exercise appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be canceled and extinguished and be converted automatically into the right to receive a portion of the Merger Consideration. See “The Merger Agreement—Transaction Consideration.”

Ancillary Agreements (See page 286)

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, NewPage, Merger Sub, Verso and certain of NewPage’s stockholders and Verso’s affiliates entered into ancillary agreements relating to:

The foregoing summaries of such ancillary agreements executed or to be executed at the closing of the Merger are qualified in their entirety by reference to the descriptions of such agreements set forth on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 6, 2014 by Verso and NewPage, respectively.

Verso Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Merger (See page 232)

Verso believes that the acquisition of NewPage will, among other things, enable the combined company to be better positioned to compete on a global scale, to effectively leverage NewPage’s existing customer base and geographical reach to withstand competition from electronic substitution for print and international producers and result in at least $175 million of pre-tax total cost synergies, which are expected to be achieved during the first 18 months after completion of the Merger (based on an analysis developed by Verso’s management).

In the course of reaching its decision to approve the Merger Agreement, the Verso board of directors considered a number of factors in its deliberations. Those factors are described in “The Merger—Recommendation of the Verso Board of Directors and Verso’s Reasons for the Merger” beginning on page 232.

NewPage Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Merger (See page 222)

At a meeting on January 1, 2014, NewPage’s board of directors determined by unanimous vote of all directors present and subsequently by unanimous written consent, dated January 3, 2014, that the Merger is in the best interests of NewPage and its stockholders. In reaching its decision to approve the Merger Agreement and declare it advisable, NewPage’s board of directors received advice from NewPage’s management and legal, financial, tax and accounting advisors and considered a number of factors.

NewPage’s board of directors determined that the Merger represents the most certain and best prospect for maximizing stockholder value and creating an opportunity for NewPage stockholders to monetize that value. Importantly, the Merger is expected to enable the realization of at least $175 million of pre-tax total cost synergies during the first 18 months after the closing of the Merger. These synergies will benefit the value of the New First Lien Notes and Verso common stock issued in the Merger. See “The Merger—Recommendation of the NewPage Board of Directors and NewPage’s Reasons for the Merger” beginning on page 222.

Fairness Opinion of Financial Advisor to NewPage (See page 226)

Goldman Sachs rendered its oral opinion on January 1, 2014, which was subsequently confirmed by a written opinion to NewPage’s board of directors that based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth therein, the Per Share Closing Cash Consideration, the Per Share Closing Note Consideration and the Per Share Closing Share Consideration, each as defined in the Merger Agreement, taken in the aggregate, to be paid to holders (other than Verso and its affiliates) of shares of NewPage common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders.

The full text of the written opinion of Goldman Sachs, dated January 3, 2014, which sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as Annex B. Goldman Sachs provided its opinion for the information and assistance of NewPage’s board of directors in connection with its consideration of the Merger. The Goldman Sachs opinion is not a recommendation as to how any holder of NewPage common stock should vote or act by written consent with respect to the Merger or any other matter. Pursuant to an engagement letter between NewPage and Goldman Sachs, NewPage has agreed to pay Goldman Sachs a transaction fee of approximately $12 million, all of which will become payable upon consummation of the Merger.

Fairness Opinion of Financial Advisor to Verso (See page 234)

Evercore has provided Verso’s board of directors with an opinion that concludes that the Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to Verso’s stockholders. A copy of Evercore’s fairness opinion is attached as Annex D.

Solvency Opinion of Financial Advisor to Verso (See page 242)

Murray Devine has provided Verso’s board of directors with an opinion that, after giving effect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Verso and its subsidiaries will be solvent. Prior to the closing of the Merger, Murray Devine will deliver a bring down of its solvency opinion. A copy of Murray Devine’s solvency opinion is attached as Annex E.

Treatment of NewPage Stock Options and Other Stock-Based Awards (See page 268)

NewPage Stock Options

When NewPage paid the Recapitalization Dividend to its stockholders, as described in “The Merger Agreement—Transaction Consideration—Form of Transaction Consideration.” NewPage adjusted the exercise price of each outstanding option by reducing it by the amount payable in respect of one share of NewPage common stock. As of the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding option that is an “in-the-money” option (which are all outstanding options immediately prior to the effective time that had an exercise price of $108.72 as of the date of the Merger Agreement) will become fully vested and, as of the closing of the Merger, will be automatically cancelled and converted into the right of the optionholder to receive consideration equal to the difference between (i) the per share aggregate Transaction Consideration and (ii) the exercise price of such in-the-money option (determined without regard to any adjustment in respect of the Recapitalization Dividend

described in the preceding sentence). In the event an optionholder executes an optionholder acknowledgement, the form of consideration such holder will be entitled to receive will be a combination of cash consideration, note consideration and share consideration as determined by the board of directors of NewPage based on the proportionate amount of each form of consideration payable in respect of one share of NewPage’s common stock, taking into account the cash paid in connection with the Recapitalization Dividend. In the event an optionholder does not execute the optionholder acknowledgement, the form of consideration such holder will be entitled to receive will be a combination of cash consideration, note consideration and share consideration as determined by the board of directors of NewPage based on the proportionate amount of each form of consideration payable in respect of one share of NewPage’s common stock at closing. Each form of consideration payable to optionholders will be reduced on a pro rata basis by amounts that are required to be withheld under any applicable tax laws. The Surviving Corporation or its subsidiaries will be required to issue the consideration payable to the former optionholders as soon as reasonably practicable following the closing date, subject to their execution of a stockholder consent and release. All options that are not in-the-money options will be automatically cancelled and terminated without payment as of the effective time of the Merger.

NewPage Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Each holder of NewPage restricted stock units (each, an “RSU”) that were outstanding on the date that the Recapitalization Dividend was paid to NewPage stockholders is entitled to receive a dividend equivalent equal to the amount payable in respect of one share of NewPage common stock in connection with the Recapitalization Dividend. Such dividend equivalent payable in respect of each RSU will be paid to its holder, less any amounts that are required to be withheld under applicable tax laws, on the date on which NewPage’s common stock underlying the RSU is distributed to the holder in accordance with the applicable RSU award agreement. Upon the closing of the Merger, each holder of RSUs will be entitled to receive payment of any outstanding and unpaid dividend equivalents in respect of the RSUs held by such individual.

As of the effective time of the Merger, each RSU, whether vested or unvested, will become fully vested. At the closing of the Merger, each RSU will be cancelled and automatically converted into the right of the holder of each RSU outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger to receive, promptly following the closing of the Merger, the cash consideration, note consideration and share consideration to which one share of NewPage common stock is entitled at closing, reduced on a pro rata basis by the amounts that are required to be withheld or deducted under any applicable tax laws. The Surviving Corporation or its subsidiaries will be required to issue such consideration to the former RSU holders subject to their execution of a stockholder consent and release.

Because certain NewPage stock options and RSUs had not vested at the time the Recapitalization Dividend was paid to NewPage stockholders, NewPage deposited an amount into escrow that is sufficient to satisfy NewPage’s obligation to the holders of such options and RSUs. In this regard, the Merger Agreement provides that in connection with the payment of the Recapitalization Dividend to NewPage stockholders, an amount reasonably determined by the NewPage board of directors which is not less than (a) the product of (i) the number of RSUs outstanding as of the record date of the Recapitalization Dividend, multiplied by (ii) the amount of the per share Recapitalization Dividend, plus (b) $3 million plus (c) the cash actually received by NewPage in respect of any exercises of NewPage stock options between the signing of the Merger Agreement and the closing of the Merger, was funded into escrow and paid to holders of in-the-money options and RSUs in connection with the closing of the Merger or, with respect to RSUs, upon the earlier settlement of the underlying RSUs.

Interests of NewPage Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (See page 245)

Certain of NewPage’s directors and executive officers have interests in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of NewPage’s stockholders. The board of directors of NewPage was aware of these interests and considered them when it adopted the Merger Agreement and approved the Merger. These interests

are described in more detail in the section of this document entitled See “The Merger—Interests of NewPage Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 245.

Interests of Verso Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (See page 249)

Verso has previously committed to granting stock options to purchase a total of 200,000 shares of Verso common stock to its chief executive officer immediately after the consummation of the Merger.

Conditions to the Completion of the Merger (See page 280)

Verso and NewPage currently expect to complete the Merger in the second half of 2014, subject to receipt of required stockholder and regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the Merger. As more fully described in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus and in the Merger Agreement, each party’s obligation to complete the Merger depends on a number of conditions being satisfied or, where legally permissible, waived, including the following:

The obligation of NewPage to complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:

The obligation of Verso to complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:

Regulatory Approvals Required to Complete the Merger (See page 251)

Verso and NewPage have agreed to cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to obtain all regulatory approvals required to complete the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. For an acquisition transaction meeting certain size thresholds, such as the Merger, the HSR Act requires the parties to file notification and report forms with the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and to observe specified waiting period requirements before completing the Merger.

On February 28, 2014, Verso and NewPage filed Notification and Report Forms with the DOJ and FTC. On March 31, 2014, the parties received a Request for Additional Information and Documentary Materials, referred

to as a “second request,” from the DOJ regarding the Merger. The effect of the second request was to extend the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act until 30 days after each party has substantially complied with the second request, unless that period is terminated sooner by the DOJ or is extended by the agreement of the parties and the DOJ. The parties have responded to the second request and will continue to work cooperatively with the DOJ in connection with this review. In addition, receipt of certain energy regulatory approvals is a condition to each of Verso’s and NewPage’s obligation to close the Merger. Approvals of the Merger by FERC and the PSCW are conditions to each party’s obligation to consummate the Merger. As of the date of this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, the parties have received the required approvals from the FERC and PSCW.

Financing (See page 214)

On January 3, 2014, in connection with the entry into the Merger Agreement, Verso entered into amendments (the “Credit Agreement Amendments”) to its Existing ABL Facility and its Existing Cash Flow Facility. Under the Credit Agreement Amendments, (a) the lenders under each of Verso’s Existing ABL Facility and Existing Cash Flow Facility consented to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the incurrence of certain indebtedness in connection therewith, (b) the lenders consented to amendments to allow the sale and/or financing of certain non-core assets, and (c) the parties agreed to amend Verso’s Existing ABL Facility and Verso’s Existing Cash Flow Facility to allow for certain other transactions upon the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The pricing terms, maturities and commitments under Verso’s Existing ABL Facility and Verso’s Existing Cash Flow Facility remain unchanged.

Prior to the closing of the Merger, NewPage borrowed $750 million under the NewPage Term Loan Facility and replaced its former $350 million asset-based loan facility with the NewPage ABL Facility.

At the time of the closing, Verso expects to issue $650 million in aggregate principal amount of New First Lien Notes to the current shareholders of NewPage as part of the Merger Consideration.

The issuers and guarantors of Verso’s debt securities (including the New First Lien Notes) and the borrower and guarantors of Verso’s credit facilities do not guarantee the obligations under the NewPage Term Loan Facility and the NewPage ABL Facility, and the borrower and guarantors under the NewPage Term Loan Facility and the NewPage ABL Facility will not guarantee the obligations under Verso’s debt securities and credit facilities. As a result, following the consummation of the Merger, the holders of Verso’s debt securities (including the New First Lien Notes) will be structurally subordinated to the obligations under the NewPage Term Loan Facility and the NewPage ABL Facility to the extent of the value of the assets of NewPage Subsidiaries. Upon the consummation of the Merger, NewPage Holdings Inc. (but not the NewPage Subsidiaries) will guarantee Verso’s debt securities (other than any remaining Old Second Lien Notes and Old Subordinated Notes) and Verso’s credit facilities. NewPage Holdings Inc. is a holding company without any assets or operations other than interests in its subsidiaries.

Use of Proceeds of NewPage Term Loan Facility

Proceeds of the NewPage Term Loan Facility were used to repay NewPage’s former $500 million term loan facility and to pay the Recapitalization Dividend to NewPage’s stockholders. Prior to payment of the Recapitalization Dividend, the NewPage board of directors received an opinion related to solvency matters from Houlihan Lokey Financial Advisors, Inc. The opinion addressed matters only relating to NewPage after giving effect to the Recapitalization Dividend and the financing therefor, and not with respect to the combined company. Although the receipt of this opinion prior to payment of the Recapitalization Dividend is a condition to the completion of the Merger, the opinion has already been delivered and the Recapitalization Dividend has already been paid. Accordingly, the opinion is not materially related to either the Merger or the decisions to be made by the shareholders of either NewPage or Verso with respect to the Merger.

Exchange Offer Transactions

On July 2, 2014, the Verso Issuers launched and, subsequently on July 24, 2014, amended offers to exchange (a) new New Second Lien Notes and Verso Warrants that will be mandatorily convertible, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger and the issuance of shares of Verso common stock as part of the Merger Consideration, into shares of Verso common stock representing, as of immediately after the consummation of the Merger, each participating holder’s pro rata portion (based on such holder’s pro rata portion of the Old Second Lien Notes) of 15% of the total number of outstanding shares of Verso common stock, determined on a fully diluted basis, for any and all outstanding Old Second Lien Notes, and (b) New Subordinated Notes and Verso Warrants that will be mandatorily convertible, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger and the issuance of shares of Verso common stock as part of the Merger Consideration, into shares of Verso common stock representing, as of immediately after the consummation of the Merger, each participating holder’s pro rata portion (based on such holder’s pro rata portion of the New Subordinated Notes) of 6.670% of the total number of outstanding shares of Verso common stock, determined on a fully diluted basis, for any and all outstanding Old Subordinated Notes. Each Verso Warrant will be convertible into one share of Verso common stock. No fractional shares of Verso common stock will be issued upon conversion of the Verso Warrants. If, upon conversion of the Verso Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, such fractional interest will be rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares of Verso common stock to be issued to the Verso Warrant holder.

In connection with the Exchange Offers, the Verso Issuers are also soliciting consents to amend the Old Second Lien Notes, the Old Subordinated Notes and the indentures governing the Old Second Lien Notes and the Old Subordinated Notes. The proposed amendments, which require the consent of a majority in outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Old Second Lien Notes and Old Subordinated Notes, respectively, will eliminate or waive substantially all of the restrictive covenants, eliminate certain events of default, modify covenants regarding mergers and transfer of assets, and modify or eliminate certain other provisions. In addition, the consents with respect to the Old Second Lien Notes will authorize a release of the liens and security interests in the collateral securing the Old Second Lien Notes. In order to be effected, the collateral release must be consented to by the holders of at least two-thirds in outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Old Second Lien Notes.

Prior to the consummation of the Merger, (i) the New Second Lien Notes will have substantially the same terms as the Old Second Lien Notes in that the New Second Lien Notes will have their original principal amount, will bear interest at a rate of 8.75% per annum, will mature on February 1, 2019 and will be governed by covenants that are substantially the same as the covenants currently governing the Old Second Lien Notes, and (ii) the New Subordinated Notes will have substantially the same terms as the Old Subordinated Notes in that the New Subordinated Notes will have their original principal amount, will bear interest at a rate of 11 ³⁄₈% per annum, will mature on August 1, 2016 and will be governed by covenants that are substantially the same as the covenants currently governing the Old Subordinated Notes. If the Merger does not occur, the New Second Lien Notes and the New Subordinated Notes will retain their original principal amount and these same terms.

Upon the consummation of the Merger, (i) the principal amount of the outstanding New Second Lien Notes will be adjusted such that a holder of $1,000 principal amount of New Second Lien Notes immediately prior to the Merger will hold $668.75 principal amount of New Second Lien Notes immediately following the Merger, subject to adjustment based on participation in the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer (as described below), and the principal amount of the outstanding New Subordinated Notes will be adjusted such that a holder of $1,000 principal amount of New Subordinated Notes immediately prior to the Merger will hold $710 principal amount of New Subordinated Notes immediately following the Merger, subject to adjustment based on participation in the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer (as described below), (ii) the maturity date of the New Second Lien Notes will be extended to August 1, 2020 and the maturity date of the New Subordinated Notes will be extended to August 1, 2020, (iii) the New Second Lien Notes interest rate will be adjusted such that the New Second Lien Notes will bear interest from and after the date of the consummation of the Merger at a rate of 10% per annum entirely in cash plus 3% per annum (“Second Lien Notes PIK Interest”) payable entirely by increasing the

principal amount of the outstanding New Second Lien Notes or by issuing additional New Second Lien Notes (“Second Lien PIK Notes”), (iv) the New Subordinated Notes interest rate will be adjusted such that the New Subordinated Notes will bear interest from and after the date of the consummation of the Merger at a rate of 11% per annum entirely in cash plus 5% per annum (“Subordinated Notes PIK Interest”) payable entirely by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding New Subordinated Notes or by issuing additional New Subordinated Notes (“Subordinated PIK Notes”), (v) certain other amendments to the terms of the New Second Lien Notes and New Subordinated Notes will be effected and (vi) the Verso Warrants will have been mandatorily converted into shares of Verso common stock.

The principal amount of New Second Lien Notes following the Merger per $1,000 principal amount of New Second Lien Notes prior to the Merger will be adjusted based on participation in the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer as follows:

If holders in the aggregate tender a percentage of Old Second Lien Notes that is not set forth in the table above, holders will receive the principal amount corresponding to the closest lower percentage (e.g., if 87.5% of the Old Second Lien Notes are tendered, holders will receive the principal amount corresponding to 85%).

The principal amount of New Subordinated Notes following the Merger per $1,000 principal amount of New Subordinated Notes prior to the Merger will be adjusted based on participation in the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer as follows:

If holders in the aggregate tender a percentage of Old Subordinated Notes that is not set forth in the table above, holders will receive the principal amount corresponding to the closest lower percentage (e.g., if 87.5% of the Old Subordinated Notes are tendered, holders will receive the principal amount corresponding to 85%).

The Verso Warrants will be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement to be dated as of the date of the consummation of the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer and the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer (the “Warrant Agreement”), between Verso and the warrant agent named therein. The Verso Warrants will entitle an eligible holder to acquire shares of Verso common stock representing, as of immediately after the consummation of the Merger, such holder’s pro rata portion (based on such holder’s pro rata portion of the Old Second Lien Notes or New Subordinated Notes) of 15% or 6.670%, respectively, of the total number of outstanding shares of

Verso common stock, determined on a fully diluted basis. Each Verso Warrant will be convertible into one share of Verso common stock. The Verso Warrants will be mandatorily convertible into shares of Verso common stock without payment of consideration (and will not otherwise be convertible) immediately prior to the closing of the Merger and the issuance of shares of Verso common stock as part of the Merger Consideration. No fractional shares of Verso common stock will be issued upon conversion of the Verso Warrants. If, upon conversion of the Verso Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, such fractional interest will be rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares of Verso common stock to be issued to the Verso Warrant holder. If the Merger is terminated, the Verso Warrants will be void and of no value and will cease to be convertible into shares of Verso common stock.

Neither the Verso Warrants nor the shares of Verso common stock issuable in respect of such Verso Warrants have been registered under the Securities Act or any other securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

The consummation of the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the valid tender, and not withdrawal, of at least 75% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Old Second Lien Notes.

The consummation of the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the valid tender, and not withdrawal, of at least 70% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Old Subordinated Notes.

It is not a condition of the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer that the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer is consummated, and it is not a condition of the Subordinated Notes Exchange Offer that the Second Lien Notes Exchange Offer is consummated.

Additionally, the New Second Lien Notes and the New Subordinated Notes will be subject to registration rights agreements.

Unless otherwise specified in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, we have assumed that all outstanding Old Second Lien Notes and all outstanding Old Subordinated Notes will be exchanged, that $396.0 million aggregate principal amount of New Second Lien Notes and $142.5 million aggregate principal amount of New Subordinated Notes will be issued in the Exchange Offer Transactions, and that approximately 18.8 million shares of Verso common stock will be issued upon the mandatory conversion of the Verso Warrants immediately prior to the closing of the Merger.

As of the date of this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus, Verso has not obtained the Verso Junior Noteholder Consent or consummated the Exchange Offer Transactions, and Verso may not be able to obtain the Verso Junior Noteholder Consent or consummate the Exchange Offer Transactions on the current terms or at all, in which case the Merger may not close.

Shared Services Agreement

In connection with the consummation of the Merger, Verso and NewPage will enter into a shared services agreement (the “Shared Services Agreement”). Under the Shared Services Agreement, Verso may provide or cause to be provided to NewPage certain services from and after the closing of the Merger. The Shared Services Agreement provides for the treatment of services costs, costs to implement expected synergies and the benefits anticipated therefrom. Payment under the Shared Services Agreement will be monthly with quarterly true-ups.

The Shared Services Agreement provides for a broad array of potential services, including operating and “back office” or corporate-type services. For all services provided to NewPage, NewPage will pay Verso an amount equal to the all-in cost incurred or paid by NewPage for such service on an average basis over the twelve month period prior to the closing of the transaction.

Any costs incurred in the implementation of the expected synergies from the transaction will be allocated one-third to Verso and two-thirds to NewPage. Additionally, 100% of all realized synergies and cost savings resulting from the transaction will be for the benefit of Verso. If either Verso or NewPage suffers a reduction in production capacity of greater than 10% of such party’s production capacity measured prior to the closing of the Merger, such party will be entitled to a specified make-whole payment (equal to the lesser of $75.00 per ton and pre-reduction EBITDA per ton) if the party that did not experience such reduction realizes an increase of at least 10% in tons sold in any of the four subsequent quarters. The make-whole will be paid quarterly.

We currently anticipate that payments from NewPage to Verso under the Shared Services Agreement will be significant. However, such payments are not expected to increase NewPage’s costs relative to its standalone position immediately prior to the Merger. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Merger—The combined company may not realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger” and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Merger—The combined company’s operating results after the Merger may materially differ from the pro forma information presented in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus.”

In order to monitor, coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the terms and conditions of the Shared Services Agreement, Verso and NewPage will establish a Steering Committee on which each of Verso and NewPage will be equally represented. The Steering Committee will meet at least quarterly to monitor and determine the services to be provided and their cost. The Steering Committee will also serve as the first forum for the resolution of any disputes arising under the Shared Services Agreement. The Shared Services Agreement will have an initial term of three years and will automatically renew for successive one-year terms thereafter unless either Verso or NewPage provides 90 days’ prior written notice. NewPage will indemnify Verso in connection with its or its affiliates provision of services to NewPage.

Termination of the Merger Agreement (See page 282)

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the effective time of the Merger, whether before or after the NewPage stockholder approval has been obtained, as follows:

Non-Solicitation of Alternative Proposals (See page 275)

Between signing of the Merger Agreement and the closing of the Merger (or the earlier termination of the Merger Agreement), NewPage has agreed not to take, and will not permit its subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors and employees to take, and will use reasonable best efforts to cause its other representatives not to take, any action to solicit, encourage, initiate or engage in discussions or negotiations with or provide any information to or enter into any agreement with any person or entity or facilitate any inquiries or submission of proposals for any acquisition transaction involving 25% or more of NewPage’s assets or capital stock (other than with Verso or its affiliates).

This restriction includes ceasing any existing activities, discussions or negotiations conducted prior to the date of the Merger Agreement with respect to any alternative transaction. NewPage is required to promptly (and in no event later than 48 hours after receipt) notify Verso of the receipt of any proposal for an alternative transaction (or any request for information that could reasonably be expected to result in an alternative transaction), and keep Verso informed on a prompt basis (and in any event within 48 hours of NewPage’s or its representatives’ knowledge) of any material developments with respect to such proposal for an alternative transaction.

At any time prior to receipt of the NewPage stockholder approval, if NewPage receives an unsolicited proposal for an alternative acquisition transaction involving 100% of NewPage’s assets or capital stock, the NewPage board of directors may take the following actions if it determines in good faith after consulting with NewPage’s financial advisors and legal counsel that (i) such proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to constitute a Superior Proposal and (ii) failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable law:

At any time prior to the receipt of the NewPage stockholder approval, the NewPage board of directors may change its recommendation of the Merger to its stockholders that they adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger if the following occurs:

Expenses and Termination Fees Relating to the Merger (See page 283)

NewPage has agreed to pay to Verso a termination fee of $27 million in cash if:

Verso has agreed to pay to NewPage a termination fee of $27 million (half in cash and half in New First Lien Notes) if (i) the Verso Junior Noteholder Consent was not obtained, or the closing condition related to the Exchange Offer Transactions is not satisfied or waived by NewPage, in each case prior to March 4, 2014, (ii) NewPage does not terminate the Merger Agreement as a result, (iii) certain other closing conditions (e.g., stockholder approval and regulatory approvals) were satisfied, or were reasonably capable of being satisfied at

the closing, (iv) the condition to closing the Merger that Murray Devine deliver a bring down of its solvency opinion is not reasonably capable of being satisfied at closing solely as a result of the failure of the closing condition related to the Exchange Offer Transactions, (v) the Merger fails to close due to the failure of Verso to consummate the Exchange Offer Transactions and (vi) Verso or NewPage subsequently terminates the Merger Agreement as a result of reaching the End Date.

Accounting Treatment of the Merger (See page 257)

The Merger will be accounted for by Verso as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting.

Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (See page 257)

The receipt of Merger Consideration for NewPage common stock pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a stockholder subject to U.S. federal income taxation who receives Merger Consideration in exchange for NewPage common stock will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Merger Consideration, paid to such U.S. stockholder and the adjusted basis of the NewPage common stock exchanged by such U.S. stockholder in the Merger. In addition, the Recapitalization Dividend will be treated as a taxable dividend to the extent of NewPage’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. tax purposes). See “The Merger—Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 257. Tax matters can be complicated, and the tax consequences of the Merger to you will depend on your particular tax situation. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the tax consequences of the Merger to you.

Comparison of the Rights of Holders of Verso Common Stock and NewPage Common Stock (See page 380)

As a result of the completion of the Merger, holders of NewPage common stock, in-the-money options to acquire NewPage common stock, and NewPage restricted stock units will become holders of Verso common stock. Each of Verso and NewPage is a Delaware corporation governed by the DGCL, but the rights of Verso stockholders currently are, and from and after the Merger will be, governed by the Verso Charter and the Verso Bylaws, while the rights of NewPage stockholders are currently governed by the NewPage Charter, the NewPage By-laws, and the NewPage Stockholders Agreement. This joint proxy and information statement/prospectus includes summaries of the material differences between the rights of NewPage stockholders and Verso stockholders arising because of differences between the Verso Charter and Verso Bylaws and the NewPage Charter, NewPage By-laws, and NewPage Stockholders Agreement.

Appraisal Rights in Connection with the Merger (See page 253)

Pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL, holders of NewPage common stock who comply with the applicable requirements of Section 262 of the DGCL and do not otherwise withdraw or lose the right to appraisal under Delaware law have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares of NewPage common stock, as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, if the Merger is completed. The “fair value” of your shares of NewPage common stock as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery may be more or less than, or the same as, the value of the Merger Consideration per share that you are otherwise entitled to receive under the terms of the Merger Agreement. Holders of NewPage common stock who wish to preserve any appraisal rights must so advise NewPage by submitting a demand for appraisal within the period prescribed by Section 262 of the DGCL, and must otherwise follow the procedures prescribed by Section 262 of the DGCL. A person having a beneficial interest in shares of NewPage common stock held of record in the name of another person, such as a broker, bank or other nominee, must act promptly to cause the record holder to follow the steps summarized in this joint proxy and information statement/prospectus and in a timely manner to perfect appraisal rights. In view of the complexity of Section 262 of the DGCL, NewPage stockholders who may wish to pursue appraisal rights should consult their legal and financial advisors.

SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Verso

The following table presents summary historical consolidated financial and operating data for Verso as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The summary historical financial information presented below for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 has been derived from Verso’s audited consolidated financial statements. The summary historical financial information presented below for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 has been derived from Verso’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of Verso’s management, the unaudited interim financial data includes all adjustments, consisting of only normal non-recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of this information.

The information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with Verso’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and the information under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included herein.

The following table reconciles net loss to EBITDA for the periods presented:

The following table reconciles cash flows from operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Verso Holdings

The following table presents summary historical consolidated financial and operating data for Verso Holdings as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The summary historical financial information presented below for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 has been derived from Verso Holdings’ audited consolidated financial statements. The summary historical financial information presented below for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 has been derived from Verso Holdings’ unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of Verso Holdings’ management, the unaudited interim financial data includes all adjustments, consisting of only normal non-recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of this information.

The information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with Verso Holdings’ consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and the information under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included herein.

The following table reconciles cash flows from operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented: