Suppliers complain of poor business on the German market for woodfree coated paper in April.
With business described as poor and miserable, competition is getting hotter on the woodfree coated paper market in Germany. Although paper mills say their capacity utilisation is fairly good, this does not necessarily reflect what is happening with end customers. There is fierce competition between wholesalers and direct suppliers when it comes to serving end customers, according to EUWID respondents.
Consequently, the price hikes introduced this year are often being rescinded. Wholesalers are lowering the prices for coated sheets - and are getting at least some help from the paper factories, according to market experts. As a result, the reels segment is also suffering. Despite stable business and fairly limited supply, there is growing evidence of low prices as April nears its end.
