Feb 18, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. NewPage Corporation announced its results of operations for the 4Q and full year 2010. Net sales were $946 million in the 4Q 2010, compared to $857 million in the 4Q 2009, an increase of $89 million, or 10%. For the full year 2010, net sales were $3,596 million, compared to $3,106 million for 2009, an increase of $490 million, or 16%. Net sales were affected primarily by higher sales volume of core paper and higher sales volume and higher average prices of other non-core paper, partially offset by lower average core paper prices in 2010 compared to 2009. Gross margin for the 4Q 2010 was 8.8% compared to 6.2% in the 4Q 2009, primarily as a result of higher sales volumes and the effects of not taking market-related downtime in 2010. During 2010, North American printing paper demand increased compared to 2009. This was a result of a recovery of advertising spending and magazine and catalog circulation during 2010 following a decline in 2009 attributable to weak economic factors and inventory reductions by customers. "On December 8, 2010, we revised our guidance for the 4Q as result of our decision to close the Whiting mill in Wisconsin. Our 4Q financial results were in line with that guidance and we did see quarter over quarter improvement in our EBITDA results," said George F. Martin, President and CEO of NewPage. Net loss attributable to NewPage was $240 million in the 4Q 2010, compared to $55 million in the 4Q 2009. For the full year 2010, net loss attributable to NewPage was $656 million compared to $308 million in 2009. The decrease was primarily a result of lower average sales prices, asset impairment charges and lower other income recognized for the alternative fuel mixture tax credits, partially offset by higher core paper sales volume and lower interest expense. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as further adjusted as shown in the attached reconciliation) was $263 million in 2010 compared to $432 million in 2009. NewPage Corporation is the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America, based on production capacity, with $3.6 billion in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010. The company's product portfolio is the broadest in North America and includes coated freesheet, coated groundwood, supercalendered, newsprint and specialty papers.