Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, 11 June 2012 -- Catalyst Paper today announced that it is seeking the support of its secured noteholders for a proposed amended plan of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. Catalyst requires the support of certain of its secured noteholders under the terms of a restructuring and support agreement (RSA) to seek approval of an amended plan. Accordingly, Catalyst has presented the primary terms of the amended plan to its secured noteholders for consideration and is in discussions with certain of its other secured and unsecured creditors regarding the amended plan.
“We continue to receive and consider input from various parties on further amendments to the plan in an effort to secure a consensual deal that improves our financial structure and that addresses the interests of creditors, our workforce, pensioners, and community leaders. In the meantime, the sales and investor solicitation process is proceeding so that regardless of which restructuring pathway is ultimately agreed to, Catalyst can emerge from creditor protection in an effective and timely manner,” said Kevin J. Clarke, president and chief executive officer.
The proposed changes to the plan of arrangement include the compromise of certain extended health benefits plans for former salaried employees of Catalyst that were not to be compromised under the prior plan of arrangement. All claims in connection with the elimination of the extended health benefits would be general unsecured claims pursuant to the amended plan and would be entitled to vote with all other general unsecured claims under the amended plan. Catalyst has been advised that there is substantial support for the amended plan by the holders of the extended health benefits claims that would be compromised under the amended plan. In addition, certain holders of unsecured notes who previously voted against the plan of arrangement or did not vote on the plan of arrangement have indicated that they would support the amended plan. Further, there may be additional unsecured claims voted in favor of the amended plan that when combined with the foregoing would be sufficient to yield creditor approval from the unsecured class.
In addition, Catalyst has proposed modifications to its salaried pension plan to provide for a special portability election option and solvency funding relief which require provincial government approval. The Minister of Finance has confirmed that he is prepared to submit the proposal to Cabinet for its consideration with a recommendation in favor. The company estimates that it would save approximately CAD 7 million annually if these modifications were implemented following a successful plan of arrangement.
In the event that Catalyst obtains the requisite support of its secured noteholders to move forward with the amended plan under the RSA, the company will seek an order of the court to hold a further meeting of the secured and unsecured creditors to vote on the Amended Plan as soon as reasonably practicable.
While the amended plan is being considered, Catalyst will continue to implement the court-approved sale and investor solicitation process (SISP). Catalyst will suspend the SISP only in the event that the amended plan is approved by its secured and unsecured creditors and approved by the court at a sanction hearing.
Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. Its customers include retailers, publishers, and commercial printers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim, and Europe. With four mills, located in British Columbia, Canada, and Arizona, USA, Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 1.8 million metric tons. The company is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and is ranked by Corporate Knights magazine as one of the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada.
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