Sappi Europe announces price increase for Packaging and Speciality Papers as of January 1st, 2018

After first “paper on reel” on March 31st, LEIPA will soon complete the startup period of its PM 5 and begin supplying customers with uncoated White Top Testliner from PM 5. LEIPA Group CEO Peter Probst: “We look forward to growing successfully with our customers and partners. The demand for White Top Liner remains consistently high and the trend is rising. Prices are at a high level as well. These factors result in excellent conditions for the market launch of the PM 5.” As an international market leader LEIPA will have developed a one-stop shop for their customers with the PM 3 and PM 5, offering an annual total capacity of 700,000 tons of coated and uncoated White Top Testliner. Click Read More below for additional information.

On the occasion of the re-start of Paper Excellence’s Chetwynd pulp mill, the media-shy company opened up a bit in an interview with Business in Vancouver. “Many pulp manufacturers look at the pulp industry [to be in] sunset,” Chang told the magazine. “Paper Excellence, our vision is different. We look at it as sunrise. We will be here for a century – as far as Asia continues emerging.” Paper Excellence does have the benefit of selling its pulp to APP mills, not on the open market, so it is not as vulnerable to pulp price fluctuations, Chang explained.

Due to continuing input cost increases Sappi is forced to continue passing on this cost inflation by increasing its LWC and MWC grades prices by 6-8% from January 1st 2018 for all markets. This follows previous announcements made for its woodfree coated and woodfree uncoated grades. Despite strong order books margins continue to be depressed by this severe input cost inflation. Sappi’s sales representatives will be in touch with their customers to agree on the specifics over the following weeks.