With a little delay of about four weeks higher prices for kraftliner were instituted in April.
The most recent round of price negotiations for unbleached kraftliner brought a hike in most cases, which came into effect for deliveries from March, or from early April in some cases.
The mark-up did not turn out as high as producers had initially wanted but they are not willing to give up, especially given the fact that they believe the market situation will change with the closure of Peterson’s Moss mill.
Until recently, one kraftliner producer told EUWID, the implementation of the remaining sum, in order to reach a full €60 price hike as announced, seemed unlikely, but things seemed to have changed. The fact that 290,000 tpy of production capacity were withdrawn from the market from one day to the next definitely had an effect on the market, the producer said.
Manufacturers reported extra inquiries from buyers looking to secure volumes and noted that the market could become much tighter in the second quarter. Other sources, however, point out that it remains to be seen what kraftliner importers from non-European countries will do now. Overall demand and consumption on the kraftliner market in France are described as moderate.
⇒ This article is an excerpt from EUWID's monthly report on the French paper market. The Price Watch France for April is published in this week's issue of EUWID Pulp and Paper.
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