Market Monitor - ikonPaper - Member of MOUSSA's Holding

EU expands sanctions package to include imports of newsprint from Russia

The European Union has expanded its sanctions against Russia, which now include imports of newsprint (4801). According to the Official Journal of the European Union of 6 October 2022, contracts signed prior to 7 October 2022 are exempted from this change. This means that existing delivery agreements are not affected by the sanctions and remain valid....

EU exports of recovered paper to third countries hit historic lows in first half of 2022

Less recovered paper was shipped from the European Union in the first half of 2022 than at any other time in nearly 20 years. At the same time, the EU was importing increasing volumes of recovered paper from third countries (non-EU states). The latest data published by the European statistical office Eurostat is consistent with the market climate described by insiders in EUWID monthly surveys, including strong demand for recovered paper from European paper mills in the first half of the year.

Corrugated case material prices in Poland under mounting pressure

Demand for corrugated case material paper on the Polish market was nowhere near as robust as many producers had expected in the third quarter. Inventory reductions by converters and packaging buyers, plus a real downturn in consumption on Polish and neighbouring markets had culminated in weaker ordering.Unlike in Germany, however, production cutbacks for reasons related to the market or energy costs had not been on the table in Poland by early October, even though paper stocks were high.

Another steep drop in prices for ordinary recovered paper grades in Germany

The situation on the German recovered paper market has shifted dramatically within a short period of time. Prices for ordinary grades already fell significantly in August and now even larger reductions are being reported for September.

Rising energy costs drive prices for residual wood in Germany to new heights

Driven by the current weekly price increases for pellets and fuelwood, prices for sawdust and pulp/MDF wood chips in Germany have risen again significantly compared to mid-July 2022....

FSappi to hike fine and specialty paper prices from mid-September

GSappi has announced price increases for its range of fine papers, paperboard and specialty papers.

Prices for woodfree coated and uncoated woodfree paper as well as paperboard are set to rise by 8-10 per cent for European customers. Prices for its specialty paper portfolio are to be increased by up to 18 per cent. All hikes are planned to be implemented for deliveries as from 12 September.

Europe’s packaging paper markets grew in 2019-2021 amidst a downturn for printing and writing paper

Pandemic accelerated trends seen in recent years, latest CEPI report says.

The European market for paper and cartonboard staged a recovery last year after collapsing in the pandemic-hit year of 2020. However, this rally was mostly fuelled by the packaging paper and board segment. In a press release marking the publication of its annual statistical review for 2021, the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) noted that, like other industries, the pulp and paper industry had shown signs of a solid post-Covid recovery in 2021. Paper and cartonboard consumption had improved by 5.8 per cent, outperforming the general growth in Eurozone GDP.

Demand crunch in chlorine industry and high costs curb NaoH supply and let prices explode

Both producers and buyers of caustic soda (NaOH) are being confronted with massive changes. Following a rather modest price hike in the third quarter of 2022, it appears NaOH prices are poised to double for deliveries as of October. Rising costs, however, are not the only reason for massive price hikes. In addition to high energy crisis, the chlorine industry is now facing a demand crisis with knock-on effects for the caustic soda market. According to inciders, business planning is tougher because of the increasingly volatile demand. There are reports of production curtailments at

Pressure on costs and prices hitting Italy’s CCM market in September

windling demand and rising energy costs are creating a tough situation for corrugated case material manufacturers. Recycled corrugated case material producers are mainly affected, but the kraftliner market has not managed to emerge entirely unscathed, either....