BHK pulp prices up again on tight supply. Prices for NBSK pulp show first signs of softening in July.
In contrast to northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp, the bleached hardwood kraft (BHK) pulp market is still looking firm. Prices rose again slightly in July and EUWID sources are working from the assumption that there will another small price increase in August.
The market is currently being rated as sufficiently tight to support another increase in prices. No pulp from the new CMPC Guaíba II pulp mill in Brazil has landed in Europe either yet. In addition, global supply is falling at the moment due to the production stoppage at Chinese manufacturer Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp & Paper. The company has shut down the 1.5 million t BHK pulp plant at its mill in Rizhao on 23 July owing to a shortage of water. A smaller machine with a capacity of 300,000 tpy has apparently been standing still since 13 July.
