Buyers and sellers in France to decide on recycled containerboard prices

While some deals at higher prices had already been done for white-top testliner at the very beginning of September, most of the buyers and sellers of brown recycled containerboard in France were still at the negotiating table.

Prices were still largely up in the air in France's recycled corrugated case material business. Even as August ended, it was not yet clear whether and how much of the massive hike sought by producers would go through. A few market players told EUWID that things would become clearer during the first week of September. Many decision-makers intend to revisit price negotiations then given that many stakeholders were out of the office over the holidays. The same is true of the white-top testliner business, yet some parties had put pen to paper on deals featuring increases.

Manufacturers in France described demand for brown grades as decent for the time of year in August. At any rate, the downward spiral in prices was suspended for the most part in August. Broadly speaking, prices were untouched between July and August. European manufacturers' ability to export at more attractive conditions thanks to the latest exchange rate developments was also helping to keep prices stable.

Initial comments about the proposed mark-ups for brown grades indicate that prices might rise by roughly half of the desired sum in September. However, opposition to such a massive hike is fierce, with talks possibly lasting a while yet.